This report examines the United States' military conscription system during the Vietnam War (1964–1973), a period of significant social upheaval that reshaped American policy and public perception of military service.
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. vietnam
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 Men with lower numbers were the first called to serve
Birthdays were printed on slips of paper, placed in capsules, and drawn randomly to assign numbers from 1 to 366. placed in capsules