The Vietnam War and the draft

In the 1960s, the United States was fighting a long and very unpopular war in Vietnam. Every young American man could be drafted: one letter, one medical exam, and you could be sent to the other side of the world.

Some went, some said no, some found clever ways out. Meet five people who faced the draft: a rock star, a future writer, a boxing champion, an actor and a future president. Who was brave? Who was lucky? And what would you have done?

Before you start (B1)

The war, the draft, deferments and the young men who refused.

• Before you start The war in six dates, how the draft worked, and three ways of saying no. Then check what you remember.
• Vocabulary list Draft notice, deferment, draft dodger, conscientious objector... the words of the whole unit.

The 1969 draft lottery (B1)

One night on TV, 366 birthdays decided who would go to war.

• Watch: general comprehension Who drew the first capsule? Was it fair? Watch, then read between the lines.
• Watch: the details Backdrop, capsules, clustered, home free... listen again and catch every word.
• The summary The whole night in two short paragraphs: drag the key words back.

Bruce Springsteen: “They didn't take me” (B2)

His father hated his long hair and couldn't wait for the army to make a man of him. Then the draft notice came.

• Before you listen Who is the Boss? And how do you talk about past habits with used to and would?
• Listen: general comprehension Why did he spend winter nights in a phone booth? Listen, then read between the lines.
• Listen: the details Driveway, barber, draft notice, physical... listen again and catch every word.
• Listen and complete Complete the whole speech, then choose: used to or would?

Tim O'Brien: go or say no? (B2)

A brilliant student, a scholarship to Harvard... and a draft notice. Canada was only eight hours away.

• Watch: general comprehension Jail, conscientious objection or Canada? Why did he finally go? Watch, then read between the lines.
• Watch: the details Scholarship, wrestled, gravity, coward, pinstripe... listen again and catch every word.
• The summary His story in two paragraphs: drag the key words back.

Muhammad Ali says no (B2)

The world champion refuses to join the army: “My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother.”

• Watch: general comprehension Why did he refuse, and what did it cost him? Watch, then read between the lines.
• Watch: the details Inducted, convictions, conscience, jury, pawn... listen again and catch every word.
• The summary April 1967 in two paragraphs: drag the key words back.

John Lithgow: faking it (B2)

How did a young actor get out of Vietnam without telling a single lie? Method acting!

• Watch: general comprehension Why does he still defend the idea of a draft? Watch, then get the humour.
• Watch: the details Wits, compulsory, accountable, falsehood, unfit... listen again and catch every word.
• The summary His “performance” in three paragraphs: drag the key words back.

Donald Trump and the draft (B1/B2)

Four deferments, a bone spur and a lottery number: why didn't the future president go to Vietnam?

• Watch: general comprehension What does he regret, and does his explanation match the facts? Watch, then read between the lines.
• Watch: the details Admission, fallen soldier, deferments, bone spur, veterans... listen again and catch every word.
• The summary The CNN report in two paragraphs: drag the key words back.

The Draft Dodger Rag (B2)

A song by Phil Ochs, sung by Pete Seeger: “better dead than red”... but please, not me!

• Listen: general comprehension A ruptured spleen, flat feet, an invalid aunt: what is this patriot really saying? Then get the satire.
• Listen: the details Eyes like a bat, a defense plant, start to sneeze... catch every word of the song.
• The summary The song in three short paragraphs: drag the key words back.

Over to you (B1/B2)

You have met five people who faced the draft. What would you have done?

• Writing The night of the lottery, cowards or heroes, compulsory service: three subjects, 200 to 250 words.