Journeys with my Gun

(9) The Draft - A Crime

A draft (conscription) system to mess with. Of course, if the Government organised it then it has to be suspect in regard to two facts, firstly the system has to be reliable and objective, secure from graft and tampering. Secondly it must be fair and seen to be so, it must produce what it promises consistently without fear or favor.
Pigs may also fly.

One cannot accuse but one may wonder about a few inconsistencies.
Like, how come I can only count two Australian celebrities drafted, Normie Rowe and Graham Cornes the one-time coach of the Crows Adelaide football club. Rowe, served in Vietnam however Cornes service is unclear.
Like the Americans our draft excluded certain privileged individuals on many doubtful grounds.

As well, how fortunate for many sons of well heeled families to avoid the draft
The draft was unfair, criminal and beyond a joke.
Many categories were developed and badly supervised by incompetent persons under the government draft, all of these shenanigans depleted the draft whilst many died and suffered as a result of being drafted fairly!!
Of course this situation existing caused  suffering for families as well.

No one cared. It was worse in the U.S. however, here is the details of those Australians excused;

Conscientious Objectors ( grounds)
1. Against War
2. Against the Vietnam war in particular
3. Claiming that the draft was undemocratic.

This situation was exacerbated 'by application' which omitted (many) certain others from the draft such as, students, married men, apprentices, theologians, medically unfit, family hardship, conscientious objectors et al.

Some of the above if excused were given a hard time by authorities but were supported by rowdy resistance organisations.
Many people supported conscription as long as it did not include their sons! Many young men went 'on the run' leaving the country (seeking asylum) or going underground, those individuals easily identified were never penalised.
35,000 young Australian men liable for the draft joined the Citizen Forces (CMF) for 6 years to avoid the draft, many did not complete that obligation.

A little first hand background on the citizen forces.
I have also had responsibilities for the training of citizen forces as part of my permanent role in Sydney and part time role in Adelaide. I am afraid to report that training was a hopeless task as the CMF had too many opportunities to opt in and out as it suited them.
Available time disallowed any training of substance, too many had too many clerical and other time wasting tasks to keep them at the orderly room. No chance of any projects especially training designed to follow over a period of time. Responsibility was shunned and demonstrated by them failing to report for duty. Too many had ulterior motives for being in the CMF, especially some officers who discovered that a reserve commission was helpful in the ladder of commerce.

Of course those who wanted to be included and stand tall when called were stifled by the attitude and behaviour of some others.
My bosses were not interested as they had little say and interest in what the CMF were up to.
The CMF were referred to as 'Woftams' (Waste of effing time and money)
In my day the CMF were an inexpensive government smokescreen to con the public that we had a reliable and well trained reserve.

A few more notes regarding the crime that was the draft;
.Many applied to opt out on religious grounds such as the Jehovah Witnesses,
. One group of naysayers went to Vietnam as entertainers,
. Avoidance was assisted by claiming attendance at university or a special status of work,
. Rich kids and celebrities avoiding the draft was a government crime.
It is notable that those drafted were not forced to serve in Vietnam and therefore many served in non combat roles in Australia and overseas.
.Many stayed in the Army after completing national service.