1950-1975Vietnam War
Operation & Organization
No changes from World War II.
Selective Service System operated as an independent agency with a Director responsible to the President. Governors were responsible for administering Selective Service laws within their state; functions were then delegated to the State Director. Local boards, composed of citizens in each community, selected men for induction based on individual cases and the needs of the economy and industry. Appeal boards were composed of civilians.
Registration
No changes from Korean War.
Men ages 18-26 were required to register. Civilian authorities conducted the registration. Individuals were responsible for their own registration.
Registration suspended April 1, 1975 by Presidential Proclamation 4360.
Classification
No changes from Korean War until 1971.
Local boards determined classification in accordance with regulations and guidance issued from the National Headquarters. Deferments were available for students, some fathers, farmers and other occupations which supported the national interest. It was the duty of the registrant to provide information required by local boards to ensure proper classification. However, deferments granted at the time lacked nationwide uniformity.
Conscientious Objectors were required to serve 24 months contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest as their local board deemed appropriate. COs could select a suitable alternative service job or be assigned one.
In 1971, deferment policies were established in the Registrants Processing Manual to enforce the uniform application of Selective Service regulations. Student, fatherhood, occupational and agricultural deferments were phased out.
Sources of Manpower
No changes from Korean War until 1971.
The quota system was abolished. Calls for inductees were issued on the basis of random sequence lottery number assigned to a birthdate.
Selection & Induction
No changes from Korean War until 1971.
Uniform National Call began, where all men with the same lottery number throughout the nation were called. The selection was made from those registered and classified but not deferred or exempt. The first priority selection group was men age 20, rather than the oldest first. Local boards sent registrants to induction stations, where the determination of acceptability and induction was made by the armed forces.
The last induction call was issued on December 1972. Induction authority expired on July 1, 1973.
