Which military service branch would you join if you were drafted?

[Indy Texas]

This is going to sound very ignorant, but maybe some Forumites know this:

When the draft was still in effect, did those who were drafted get to choose which branch of the armed forces they joined? Were they randomly assigned to one? Did the draft board make that decision for them?

I've heard anecdotes about how some people voluntarily enlisted because they had a low draft number, knew the likelihood they'd get picked was high anyway, and would have more options available if they voluntarily enlisted. No war veterans in my family apart from my grandfather's estranged father doing a brief stint in the Navy during WWII (volunteered, not drafted).

[Indy Texas]

I'd want to join the navy. Not only because I enjoy being on the water, but because it's the safest branch to join when the people we seem to have the most conflict with are in some middle eastern desert.

So you want to join the branch that had to go find and kill Osama bin Laden (who was nowhere near water)?

[Indy Texas]

I'd want to join the navy. Not only because I enjoy being on the water, but because it's the safest branch to join when the people we seem to have the most conflict with are in some middle eastern desert.

So you want to join the branch that had to go find and kill Osama bin Laden (who was nowhere near water)?

The Navy SEALS are a special forces unit, which can't be joined by everyone.
Saying you have top joint he SEALS is like saying you have to become a fighter pilot if you want to join the Air Force.

I am aware of that. I'm not the one who seems to think joining the Navy means you never have to do anything on dry land...

[Indy Texas]

Is there "if I have to be drafted, can I apply for an commission?" program? Serious question. Because in that case I'd sign up for the Navy, else probably the Air Force.

lol simfan you'd be hazed out of the officer's core in approximately five second. you've made 3-4 paragraph long posts about proper attire in formal settings...

Well, would it be any better with the enlisted men? Indeed, I dare say what you mention is part of the appeal!

Your face when you're saying "enlisted men":


Simfan as an Army grunt in a platoon full of public school-educated blue-collar guys from rural Tennessee and Nebraska would probably make for an interesting reality show. Or at least a suitable replacement for Update in the Forum Community programming lineup.