In 1969 it appeared Bill Clinton would be drafted. Studying at Oxford wouldn't help; such deferments had ended in 1966. And based on that consent, the Hot Springs draft board, on Aug. 7, 1969, reclassified Mr. Clinton from 1-A to 1-D -- a draft deferment that a spokesman for the Selective Service System says was only for people who had joined a reserve unit, or who were students taking military training, such as the ROTC. The draft board in Arkansas was proud of him and had deferred him to go to Oxford, saying he'd be safe till fall, 1969. As an out, he agreed in 1969 to join the ROTC at the University of Arkansas. He graduated from there with a degree in history in 1971. By October he subjected himself to the draft lottery knowing that he was unlikely to be called. He drew 311--and was safe from induction.
In 1969 it appeared Bill Clinton would be drafted. Studying at Oxford wouldn't help; such deferments had ended in 1966. The draft board in Arkansas was proud of him and had deferred him to go to Oxford, saying he'd be safe till fall, 1969. As an out, he agreed in 1969 to join the ROTC at the University of Arkansas. He graduated from there with a degree in history in 1971. By October he subjected himself to the draft lottery knowing that he was unlikely to be called. He drew 311--and was safe from induction.