Back when America had the draft, did you have more control over your military MOS if you chose to enlist before being drafted?

There was a big advantage if a person enlisted. An enlistee had total control over his MOS if he passed his physical. Why do you think so many enlisted???? A draftee had NO control over his MOS….somewhat? In order to understand both sides, you must understand the procedure. A “US” in front of the numbers on your dog tags was a draftee soldier. An “RA” on your dog tags was an enlisted soldier.

Every soldier, US and RA, was sent to basic training and trained TOGETHER for eight weeks. After basic training an RA was sent to his MOS school in which he signed up for.

For example: Many men enlisted because they were trying to avoid the infantry or get a guarantee to enter a certain school. If you were a Police Officer as a civilian, I am sure you would more than likely ask and be given MP School. Recruiters would tell them anything in order to get them to enlist. These men were NOT told what would happen if they failed out of that school, infantry here they come.

Another example: In my outfit, most crew chiefs and gunners enlisted in order to go to helicopter flight school to become a pilot. Many failed out of flight school and had to become helicopter gunners.

In turn, draftees reported to the induction center and were given a battery of about eight tests. RAs were only given a physical. They did not take the tests. The tests were more like questions about your lifestyle. Examples: How many model cars or airplanes have you built? How many times have you been hunting? How many books have you read? Which sports do you like the most? Do you like to work on cars? Have you ever shot a rifle? Do you like to camp and fish? How many hours a day do you listen to music? These questions were in no order. They were multiple choices. There was no wrong or right answer. The tests did not test your intelligence. In other words, you could NOT “FAIL”.

Throughout the testing period, each test would ask the same question in a slightly different way. These tests lasted for hours. All these tests were designed to place a draftee into a group classification for an MOS/training school after basic training.

After a full day of physical and mental exams you are given a paper with your results. Your scores are broken down by clerical, communications, mechanical, medical, infantry, and etc. (I cannot remember all the subjects). If a draftee scored highest in clerical, chances are you would head for clerical school after basic training for a clerical MOS. The tests were designed for job (MOS) placement. The army’s test system was designed to get the most out of each drafted soldier.

After the batteries of test, you were placed in front of a printed line. Some army captain would read you your rights. He would explain how your civilian rights were NO MORE once you stepped over the line. Your AS$ now belonged to the US Army.

The army will send a draftee to school after school as long as you pass in the top ten (10%) per cent of your classes. I was sent to four (4) military schools and studied side by side with US and RA soldiers. In fact, there were more US soldiers than RAs in my crypto communications school.

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I wish you and your family a beautiful day. Peace, from Los Angeles.

No

You had no control at all. All that MOS horsecrap is a way to con kids into enlisting, a recent invention and one ore example of the wussification of America, "OK I'll join but only if I get to be in charge of the base sip n slide!"

From my understanding, yes. During WW2 many people in Easy Company joined because they wanted to choose who they fought alongside with and what they were doing. As far as Vietnam, I'm not to sure, but it would be more beneficial to just reenlist. If we are ever in need of another draft, you will have more chances of not getting sent to X-country if you enlist vs. getting drafted.

During the Vietnam war, if you enlisted the Army would guarantee to train you in any skill you chose. But they did not have to assign you to that. Your assignment was based upon the needs of the Army. A friend of mine enlisted in 1970 and chose to be trained for missiles. The Army sent him to Alabama for training but then assigned him to be a company clerk at Fort Sill.

Lots of people joined the Air Force or the Navy in order to avoid the Army during Vietnam.

And of course, some joined the National Guard.

Not really

Remember 99% of draftees were army the other services were volunteer. Many joined the other services to avoid the draft.I joined the Navy because I did not want to be a ground pounder, they made me a corpsman and sent me to the Marines

Eh?

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