Question

How could a young man avoid the draft during the Vietnam era?

Answer 1

Hint: The Selective Service System (SSS or "The Draft") required all male residents of the United States, as well as male immigrants (including bizarrely, illegal immigrants) to enlist within 30 days of turning eighteen. They have not to enter the military rather they registered with the government to be available in the event of a levy.

Complete answer:
There were two ways to stop being drafted: illegal and legal. Draft evasion meant a legal waiver or deferment for some cause. Many who failed to meet the legal requirements used criminal means to avoid their responsibilities; this was known as draft avoidance or "draft dodging."

Some methods or ways were used to avoid the draft during the Vietnam era were -
- They protested being a Conscientious Objector. They made up health conditions such as gastritis, ulcers, hepatitis, anaemia etc. which were common. As the military was very strict about the medical condition of the person. People would remain up for days until their medical screening was done, do a lot of illicit drugs, or even make themselves look generally unsafe to prevent being drafted during the Vietnam era.
- Having dependent children, men with such conditions were lower draft priorities than single men or childless husbands.
- Student deferments were also a common way to avoid the draft. There were "reserved occupations," and they were so important to a country's war effort that they were illegal to draft.
Thus using such methods people avoid being drafted.

Although the draft was discontinued after the Vietnam War and the United States transitioned to an all-volunteer force, the Selective Service System remains in effect in the event that national security is threatened. Both male civilians aged 18 to 25 are required to register, ensuring that the draft can be restored easily if necessary.

Note:
- Between 1964 and 1973, the United States military recruited 2.2 million men from a pool of 27 million qualified men during the Vietnam War period. The draft lottery of 1969 was created to resolve perceived inequities in the previous draught system and to increase military manpower for the Vietnam War.
- Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act, which established the Selective Service System and established the country's first peacetime draft. It was in effect from 1948 to 1973, during both peace and war, until President Richard M. Nixon signed a law formally ending it.