Classifications during the Vietnam War
Draft Board Classifications
The following is a list of Selective Service classifications
that could be assigned by draft boards:
I-A
Available for military service
I-A-0
Conscientious objector available for noncombatant military service only
I-C
Member of the armed forces of the U.S., the Coast and Geodetic Survey, or the Public Health Service
I-D
Member of reserve component or student taking military training
I-H
Registrant not currently subject to processing for induction
I-0
Conscientious objector available for civilian work contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest
I-S
Student deferred by statute (High School)
I-Y
Registrant available for military service, but qualified for military only in the event of war or national emergency
I-W
Conscientious objector performing civilian work
contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest
II-A
Registrant deferred because of civilian occupation (except agriculture or activity in study)
II-C
Registrant deferred because of agricultural occupation
II-D
Registrant deferred because of study preparing for the ministry
II-S
Registrant deferred because of activity in study
III-A
Registrant with a child or children; registrant deferred by reason of extreme hardship to dependents
IV-A
Registrant who has completed service; sole surviving son
IV-B
Official deferred by law
IV-C
Alien
IV-D
Minister of religion or divinity student
IV-F
Registrant not qualified for any military service
IV-G
Registrant exempt from service during peace (surviving son or brother)
IV-W
Conscientious objector who has completed alternate service contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest in lieu of induction into the Armed Forces of the United States
V-A
Registrant over the age of liability for military service
…a further note from an email in May 2002:
“I noticed that my draft classification was not listed on your site’s list of draft board classification – 1SC. It meant that you had exactly six months to get your affairs in order before you would be drafted.
I was 2S until February 1966 when I received my draft notice to report for induction. After talking with my draft board they let me finish my school semester then drafted me. During that period I was issued a draft card with the 1SC designation.
In July of 1966 I was drafted into the US Army. Regards, Tom Olsen, Pvt, USCDCEC, 1966-1968″
Our appreciation goes out to the “Beachmaster” for sending additional codes for our original list from his copy of ‘SSS Form 110′ dated August 11, 1972. See his additions above under classifications: 1H, 2D, 4G, and 4W.
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This might answer a few questions of the military draft classifications. Some of my own experiences and memories also.
Many folks believe only the Army received draftees. I know for a fact that the Navy and Marine Corp used draftees if needed by quota. Mostly, except for the Army though they were volunteers.
4F included folks medically unqualified. It was a sketchy thing though. Knew a guy once who was 4F in WW2 and drafted into the Army during Korea,and served there.
Had a cousin during Vietnam who was married and had a child. Thought he was safe from draft. His father, a cop, detained a member of the local draft board. Only placed him in a motel room to sleep off a drunk. Guess what? 2 weeks later my cousin was drafted in the Army. He was a qualified X ray tech. and the Army wisely made a payroll clerk out of him.
Worked with a guy once who married and thought he was safe from draft. They changed the rules and he was drafted. The day he was to report for physical he found out his wife was pregnant. He was delighted and quite smug about it.
Had another cousin who suffered blackouts due to a plate in his skull from a tornado. We thought he was exempt, but he was drafted and served 2 years. Luckily during peacetime.
One of the best highschool basketball players I played against put on his paperwork during his draft physical that he suffered from asthma. He was classified 4F. He could run like a deer though.
Bill Clinton received some draft deferments but eventually put his name in the pot and received a high lottery number after they went to that draft lottery.
Obama grew up during the modern era and there was no draft.
Remember George Hamilton the movie star? He was exempted because he was "the sole support of his mother", it also didn't hurt that he was dating LBJ's daughter.
Hell there was several NFL stars who were 4F due to foot ball injuries. Joe Namath for one. That former senator and former QB, I believe he got out on bad knees also. The guy that just died here awhileback. Jack Kemp wasn't it?
Swamprat? I don't believe it was his eyes. I'd bet it was the IQ test he failed. That or the physical exam where they say "bend over and grab your cheeks". They smelled a rat when he bent over and pulled his jaw cheeks apart. Heh, heh.
That and the increase in his heartrate when he was sitting on the bench next to all those other naked guys. Heh, heh.