For others' sake, I double-checked: 2.59 million served, of which 648,500 were draftees. Right at 25%
Is there a study of soldiers who enlisted but only because their draft number was low? There were substantial benefits to enlisting, because you could choose your branch of service.
Should break that down by people who had enlisted before hostilities began. Material difference enlisting during peace time vs when there is an active theater of war.
It would be more interesting to see those numbers broken down by frontline service. What percentage of the guys actually dying in the jungle were drafted?
A relative of mine who was of draft age during the Vietnam war, deliberately enlisted in the US army because he thought that this would reduce his chances of being sent to fight in Vietnam And it worked, he spent his time overseas in the military in Japan in a non-combat role. I'm sure many males of draft age made similar choices.
Is there a study of soldiers who enlisted but only because their draft number was low? There were substantial benefits to enlisting, because you could choose your branch of service.