2017-2018 Common Read Learning Activites

For background on the Vietnam War Draft, read the following sections in Out of Chaos: 

1. Beth Sageng (pp. 127-128)
2. Larry Spencer (pp. 151-157)
3. Chronology (pp. 1-28)

A. On page 11 of the Chronology in Out of Chaos, the November 19, 1969 entry talks about the draft "lottery system." 

1. Who was the target for the draft "lottery system?"
2. According to the Draft Lottery Chart, located above, what would have been your draft number?
3. According to Selective Service estimates described in the article Live from Washington, It’s Lottery Night 1969!, which young men were most likely to be drafted and which were safe?
4. Using the Draft Lottery Chart look up your birthday to find your assigned lottery number.  How likely would you have been drafted?

B. Page 8 of the Chronology in Out of Chaos, states that 536,100 Americans were serving in Vietnam in 1968.  The book goes on to note that "Draftees" made up 38% of the American troops in Vietnam.

1. Based on these numbers, how many "Draftees" were serving in 1968 in Vietnam?

C. On page 127, Beth Sageng writes, "It was very serious for males, because if you were not in school, you got drafted into the Army."

1. According to the Postponements, Deferments and Exemptions, if there was a draft today would college students have to serve?  Please explain.
2. List two other deferments that would apply if there was a draft today.
3. Do you think deferments are fair?  Please explain.

D. While the draft is not active today it is still the "duty of every male citizen of the United States, and every other male person residing in the United States, who … is between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, to present himself for and submit to registration..." (follow links above)

1. What department of the government is responsible for registering young men between the ages of 18 and 26?
2. What are the penalties for failing to register?
3. Do you think women between the ages of 19 and 26 should have to register?  Why or why not?