Nadene Goldfoot
The rumor in Portland, Oregon regarding the call-up of young men to service, the draft, is inaccurate; the order was focused on mobilizing about 200 members of the Oregon National Guard, not a general draft.
The National Guard is composed of U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 17–35 (up to 42 for some roles) who serve part-time while maintaining civilian careers, often described as serving "one weekend a month, two weeks a year". Members include high school juniors/seniors, college students, and working professionals seeking additional income, benefits, and training close to home.
They join the National Guard to serve part-time while keeping their civilian jobs. Key motivators include comprehensive educational benefits (tuition coverage), health insurance, specialized training, extra income, and the dual purpose of serving both their local community during disasters and the country during federal deployments. I would add that I think the biggest motivator back then in 73 was the extra money the guys could make.
In September 2025, President Trump announced the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect federal facilities, a move that prompted a lawsuit from the state and a federal court blocking of the order.
Our young men and women in their 20's don't have to worry. The United States last drafted people into military service in 1973. Active conscription for the Vietnam War ended on January 27, 1973, with the final draftees inducted into the Army on June 30, 1973. Following this, the U.S. military transitioned to an all-volunteer force.
During the Vietnam War, an estimated 20,000 to over 60,000 American men, known as "draft dodgers" or war resisters, fled to Canada to avoid compulsory military service. This exodus, largely driven by moral opposition to the war and fear of conscription, represented the largest politically motivated migration from the U.S. since the American Revolution.
In case you forgot your history, The American Revolution typically refers to the period between 1765 and 1783. It began with colonial resistance to British taxes like the Stamp Act (1765) and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally recognized the United States' independence. The military conflict (Revolutionary War) took place from 1775 to 1783.
Resource:
https://www.asvabprogram.com/media-center-article/172
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