How did men avoid the Vietnam war?

Answer 1

If you could afford it, you stayed in college on a student deferment. Others with adequate funds fled to Canada or Sweden. Most of the evaders, resisters or draft dodgers that were lucky enough to avoid service in Vietnam came from privileged backgrounds.

Answer 2

Men were not drafted who were not physically or mentally fit. College students received deferments based on full-time attendance and passing grades. Some men subject to the draft fled to Canada, which would not extradite them. (Years later, on January 21, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a general amnesty for many of these individuals. Deserters and those who committed violent crimes in draft protests were not included.)

Answer 3

All US men had to register for the draft, even if volunteering (enlisting). Once the men were registered for the draft, they could either enlist (for the service of their choice) or WAIT TO BE DRAFTED.

Answer 4

There were many ways that draft-eligible men avoided serving in the Viet Nam war. What they did depended upon what the particlular draft laws were at the time (they changed over time). Those who could afford to went to college and/or grad school and got a student deferment. Some went took job that were safe from the draft. Others married and had children. Many got medical deferments , including for such ailments as flat feet and anal cysts (e.g. Rush Limbaugh). If one came from a rich family, a doctor could often be bought off to give the right diagnosis. Pretending to be gay or crazy could also get you a deferment. Serving in the national guard was another option as, unlike in the Iraq War, the Guard did not get sent overseas. It was often difficult to get a spot, and you often had to have connections to get in. Having a close relative or family friend in state or national government could help you secure a spot. And then there were those with no other options who fled to Canada or other countries. Many men were morally opposed to the war, and, if they qualified (belonging to a pacifist religion) did alternative service instead. Very few qualified, however. Those who didn't tried the other strategies above, or served. Others avoided service not for any idealistic reasons, but because they didn't want to risk dying or getting injured in the war. These were mostly rich white kids, and a lot of poor, non-white boys died in their place. Many are now Republican politicians.

Answer 5

By staying in school was one way. Another way was by getting married, and then it changed to married with children.