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The Draft and Purdue Grad Students

The Draft and Purdue Grad Students. Who is that holding a gun to my head, anyway?. How the Draft Worked: Misc. Young men must register at age 18 Preferred age (for drafting) was 25, working toward younger ages as the pool was depleted (Later, a lottery was implemented.)

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The Draft and Purdue Grad Students

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  1. The Draft and Purdue Grad Students Who is that holding a gun to my head, anyway?

  2. How the Draft Worked: Misc • Young men must register at age 18 • Preferred age (for drafting) was 25, working toward younger ages as the pool was depleted • (Later, a lottery was implemented.) • Deferments – generous at first, reduced as the pool was drawn down • Exemptions – few categories • Classification 1A – you’re under the gun

  3. How the Draft Worked: Appeals • First level, within 30 days after reclassification • A personal appearance before the board • Appeal to a second level

  4. How Dick Smiley Escaped • Superior paperwork skills … and a backup plan • Paperwork: the Druid option • Backup plan: emigrate to Canada

  5. The Druid Option • Apply for an exemption as a minister • When the draft board questioned this, supplied supporting documentation – the more the merrier: • Printed up business stationery for the Purdue Grove and the Carleton Grove. • Got the Arch Druid of the Carleton Grove to write a letter or two of wishy-washy support

  6. The Druid Option (Cont’d) • Had a friend mail my letters from San Francisco • First appeal rejected • Personal appearance, where I made it difficult to tell whether I was serious • Rejected again • Sent appeal to next level, certified mail, return receipt requested

  7. The Druid Option (Cont’d More) • Ordered to appear for pre-induction physical • Passed physical • Ordered to appear for induction on August 18, 1969 (Happy 26th birthday from Uncle Sam!) • Called draft lawyer (pro bono), who urged me to call the draft board • Called the draft board, spoke to chief clerk

  8. The Druid Option (Finally) • Chief clerk found my request for appeal • Stapled behind a letter from the Arch Druid of the Carleton Grove • No substantiation that it had been mailed on time • “I have a return receipt. Shall I send you a copy?” • Asked me to decipher signature, which I did

  9. The Druid Option (Happy Ending) • Induction notice rescinded • Reclassified as beyond prime age • Happy birthday after all! • Filed Canadian information pamphlets for future reminiscences

  10. How Richard Ragan Coped • The closing window curtailed his academic career. • Undergraduate: 3 years • Graduate: • Job:

  11. How Hal Hart Escaped • Doomed by the draft … but wait!

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