Drafted in Vietnam Calculator

Enter Your Birth Year:

Enter Your Draft Lottery Number (1–366):

Select Draft Year:

Drafted in Vietnam Calculator – Definition and Guide

The Drafted in Vietnam Calculator is an interactive online tool that helps users determine whether they would likely have been called for military service during the Vietnam War based on their draft lottery number, birth year, and draft year. It recreates the historical U.S. draft lottery system that operated from 1969 to 1973, providing insight into how the process worked and whether an individual’s number would have been selected.

Historical Context

During the Vietnam War, the United States relied on the Selective Service System to supply troops. In 1969, a new draft lottery was introduced to ensure a more equitable method of selecting young men for potential induction into the armed forces. Instead of relying solely on draft boards, which could be inconsistent, the government drew birth dates at random and assigned lottery numbers from 1 to 366 (to account for leap years).

Those with lower lottery numbers faced a much higher probability of being drafted. Each year, the government sets a “cutoff number.” If your lottery number was below the cutoff for that year, you were likely called for service. If your number was higher, you were not.

The Drafted in Vietnam Calculator is designed to simulate this process in a simplified way, allowing anyone—whether a history student, researcher, or curious individual—to check their hypothetical draft status.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator is built using three main technologies:

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): Provides the structure of the page, including input fields and buttons.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Styles the calculator, ensuring it has a clean, readable layout with a white background.
JavaScript: Handles the calculation logic, checking the user’s lottery number against the cutoff values for each year.

When a user inputs their birth year, draft lottery number, and draft year, the script compares the number to a preset cutoff. For example, in 1970, the cutoff is 195. If your lottery number was 112, you would have been drafted. If it were 240, you would not.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator

Enter Your Birth Year:
Type in your year of birth (e.g., 1950). While this detail does not affect the calculation directly in the simplified version, it helps contextualize your eligibility.
Enter Your Lottery Number:
Input your draft lottery number (between 1 and 366). This was assigned based on the random drawing of birth dates.
Select the Draft Year:
Choose from the dropdown menu (1970, 1971, 1972, or 1973). Each year had a different cutoff.
Click “Check Draft Status”:
The calculator will immediately display whether you would have been called for induction or not, based on historical cutoff points.

Why Use This Calculator?

Educational Value: Students of history can better understand the mechanics of the draft and its impact on young men’s lives.
Personal Curiosity: Many people wonder, “Would I have been drafted if I had been of age during the Vietnam War?”
Genealogical Interest: Families researching their ancestors’ experiences may find it insightful.
Interactive Learning: Instead of reading about draft numbers, users can experiment and see instant results.

Limitations of the Calculator

It is important to note that this calculator is a simplified educational tool. Real-world outcomes were influenced by many factors, such as deferments (for college, medical issues, or family hardship), enlistment in other branches, or conscientious objector status. The calculator does not account for these variables—it only mirrors the lottery cutoff system.

Broader Lessons

The Vietnam War draft remains one of the most controversial elements of U.S. history. By recreating it through technology, the calculator allows modern audiences to reflect on fairness, citizenship, and the consequences of government policy. It also provides a tangible way to connect with the lived experiences of the Vietnam generation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the Drafted in Vietnam Calculator?
It is an online simulation that shows whether you would have been drafted during the Vietnam War based on your lottery number and draft year.

Q2: How accurate is it?
The calculator uses historically accurate cutoff numbers for 1970–1973. However, it does not account for deferments, exemptions, or personal circumstances.

Q3: Where do the cutoff numbers come from?
They are based on historical records from the Selective Service System. Each year, the government announced how far down the lottery list they would go.

Q4: Can women use this calculator?
The draft during the Vietnam era applied only to men, but women can still use the calculator for historical curiosity.

Q5: Does birth year matter in the calculator?
In this simplified version, the birth year is mainly for context. Actual draft eligibility depended on age ranges set by the government.

Q6: Why does the calculator stop at 1973?
The draft lottery system ended in 1973 when the U.S. moved to an all-volunteer military.

Q7: Is this tool official?
No, this is an educational simulation. It is not affiliated with the U.S. government or Selective Service System.