3. Seeking Student Deferments
During the Vietnam War, many young men sought to avoid military service by enrolling in colleges and universities to obtain student deferments. This strategy allowed them to postpone induction into the military while pursuing higher education. The Selective Service System granted these deferments to full-time students, enabling them to continue their studies without the immediate threat of conscription. However, this approach was more accessible to those with the financial means to attend college, often favoring middle and upper-class individuals. Consequently, the draft system disproportionately impacted working-class and minority communities, leading to significant disparities in military service during the war (history.com).
