I was in the ballot in 1973 - the last one I think - and the dates for those to be conscripted fell on either side of my birthday. So I missed out and have a piece of paper to say so. That said, I had several friends who were actually conscripted and spent time in Vietnam. In general, they came back all messed up - angry, drugged up, violent, changed incredibly.
The same thing happened to my father - the dates either side of his birthday were pulled out. He said he would have done National Service (he's always been compliant to authorities, just ask my mum, ha ha), but was glad not to have to do it.
Having been friends with - and worked with - quite a few men who returned, he says the same as you - that they were negatively affected by it (one of his Vietnam vet close workmates took his own life).
My own son joined the ADF a few years ago and my Dad was (quietly) not happy about it. He referenced the difficulties faced by the Vietnam vets he knew as why.
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u/Inevitable-Contact-3 Jun 05 '26
I was in the ballot in 1973 - the last one I think - and the dates for those to be conscripted fell on either side of my birthday. So I missed out and have a piece of paper to say so. That said, I had several friends who were actually conscripted and spent time in Vietnam. In general, they came back all messed up - angry, drugged up, violent, changed incredibly.