A majority of Americans supported the war. But of the nearly 27 million American men who came of age during the Vietnam War, more than half avoided military service through exemptions, deferments, or service in the Reserves or National Guard. Those who avoided service were generally white, better educated, or better-connected. The result was an Army heavily skewed toward minorities and the underprivileged. At first, 10,000 draftees were called up each month. But in 1966, that number was raised to 30,000. Thousands of college students lost their deferments, resulting in campus unrest and organized anti-war demonstrations.

NOTE: This video is part of a lesson plan titled Who Served and Who Didn't.