In 1968, during the peak of the Vietnam War, almost 17,000 Americans died. I was 10 years old, and my brother, 8 years older, was entering the draft. I remember my parents' concern for his safety and my own fear of potentially going to war and facing the risk of death. During that time, there was a common trope that men might dress as women to evade the draft. I recall contemplating this as a possible way out, thinking I could use my desire to dress as a woman as a means to avoid the draft, finding an odd justification for my identity in my 10-year-old mind. Paula G
I was 17 in '68, but got a high draft number and was never called to report to serve, so I did not have to consider revealing my feminine side to the draft board.
When I graduated college I "volunteered" for the draft. It was either I or my brother per the draft board. One of us was going. My brother already had a deferment as he was listed as the support for my mother and sister as our dad was deceased. There was a lot of way to evade the draft but I never heard of anyone claiming to be a cross dresser: Maybe gay but not a cross dresser. I was in Nam as an infantryman. War did not "cure" me but it sure put the desire to wear women's clothing on the back burner.
When I turned 18 Student deferments had ended. I registered for the draft, but the military was considering ending it. At age 19 I received a low draft number, but it seemed to be a certainty that I wouldn't have to worry. Indeed it was eliminated and I did not have to contemplate any strategies to avoid military service.
I had thought that if getting drafted appeared inevitable I'd enlist in the Coast Guard. However, I would have probably to go to Viet Nam before I'd have considered wearing a dress to the draft board. That's not a judgement of anyone, it's simply how scared I was that people might think that I loved wearing dresses.
I turned 18 in college in a ROTC program (military family) and three years later was in Vietnam. I recall students considering the gay angle to avoid service, but that choice was too difficult for most.
You may get more clicks for this post, however, as word gets around. Monthly recruiting numbers regularly fail to meet targets now. I've read at least three articles in DoD military journals in 2023 advocating a resumption of the draft.
1 thing above missing.wear a dress and they don't draft you but you get a 4F classification. At that time potential employers wanted to verify your draft status thus leading to questions re: your medical history etc--emily
After serving in Nam as an infantryman I ended stateside working in the personnel section. If you were kicked out of the service for being gay or a cross dresser your DD214 would have a SPN (Special Processing Number) that indicated why you were discharged. Every DD214 at that time had an SPN; mine reflected I finished my obligation. "Google" the subject and you'll find a concise list of SPN that could brand you for life.
In 1968, during the peak of the Vietnam War, almost 17,000 Americans died. I was 10 years old, and my brother, 8 years older, was entering the draft. I remember my parents' concern for his safety and my own fear of potentially going to war and facing the risk of death. During that time, there was a common trope that men might dress as women to evade the draft. I recall contemplating this as a possible way out, thinking I could use my desire to dress as a woman as a means to avoid the draft, finding an odd justification for my identity in my 10-year-old mind. Paula G
ReplyDeleteI was 17 in '68, but got a high draft number and was never called to report to serve, so I did not have to consider revealing my feminine side to the draft board.
DeleteWhen I graduated college I "volunteered" for the draft. It was either I or my brother per the draft board. One of us was going. My brother already had a deferment as he was listed as the support for my mother and sister as our dad was deceased. There was a lot of way to evade the draft but I never heard of anyone claiming to be a cross dresser: Maybe gay but not a cross dresser. I was in Nam as an infantryman. War did not "cure" me but it sure put the desire to wear women's clothing on the back burner.
DeleteWhen I turned 18 Student deferments had ended. I registered for the draft, but the military was considering ending it. At age 19 I received a low draft number, but it seemed to be a certainty that I wouldn't have to worry. Indeed it was eliminated and I did not have to contemplate any strategies to avoid military service.
DeleteI had thought that if getting drafted appeared inevitable I'd enlist in the Coast Guard. However, I would have probably to go to Viet Nam before I'd have considered wearing a dress to the draft board. That's not a judgement of anyone, it's simply how scared I was that people might think that I loved wearing dresses.
That terrified me more than Viet Nam.
I turned 18 in college in a ROTC program (military family) and three years later was in Vietnam. I recall students considering the gay angle to avoid service, but that choice was too difficult for most.
ReplyDeleteYou may get more clicks for this post, however, as word gets around. Monthly recruiting numbers regularly fail to meet targets now. I've read at least three articles in DoD military journals in 2023 advocating a resumption of the draft.
They're not kidding.
1 thing above missing.wear a dress and they don't draft you but you get a 4F classification. At that time potential employers wanted to verify your draft status thus leading to questions re: your medical history etc--emily
ReplyDeleteAfter serving in Nam as an infantryman I ended stateside working in the personnel section. If you were kicked out of the service for being gay or a cross dresser your DD214 would have a SPN (Special Processing Number) that indicated why you were discharged. Every DD214 at that time had an SPN; mine reflected I finished my obligation. "Google" the subject and you'll find a concise list of SPN that could brand you for life.
DeleteWearing Ann Taylor is just an awesome dress .
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