Vietnam

During the early years of the war, the Selective Service System used local draft boards to determine eligibility. This decentralized approach faced heavy criticism for inequities, as it often disproportionately affected lower-income individuals while allowing others to maintain student deferments until age 26.

Men with lower numbers were the first called to serve. This "randomized experiment" became a defining moment for a generation, directly influencing life paths based on a birth date. Demographics and Participation The Draft and the Vietnam War vietnam

To address these concerns, a televised draft lottery was established in 1969: During the early years of the war, the