I suppose I was in a position similar to Romney's. I was exempt from the draft until September, 1970, because I was a "divinity student" in a Catholic seminary. Romney got deferments for college and then for his missionary service. I saw one source that said his deferments ended in December, 1969. Huffington Post and several other sources say that Romney was born on a date that had a very high lottery number, so he was not subject to the draft.

That's the difference between Romney and me. When I got out of the seminary, my draft number had already been called. I knew what was in the cards, so I enlisted in the Army so I could serve for four years as a German linguist instead of being drafted and serving two years as an infantryman in Vietnam. My draft notice arrived while I was in Basic Training. I wrote back and said that my drill sergeant wouldn't let me go.

So, it seems to me that Romney played by the rules, and it would be unfair to imply that he was a draft evader. He just was luckier in the lottery than I was.

Was I a draft dodger for enlisting instead of submitting to the draft and the possibility of assignment to Vietnam?

-Joe-