Australians and Conscription

Australians and Conscription:

Introduction:

Australian’s contribution to the Vietnam War began in 1962, marked by the arrival of the Australia’s Training Team in South Vietnam. However it wasn’t until April 1966 that the first group of conscripted men were sent. The Vietnam War was a devastating war; killing hundreds of Australia soldiers and many thousands more were wounded. The war also impacted the Australians back at home, as it resulted in ballot conscription, introduced with the National Service Scheme. Legal consequences were also a result for those who avoided conscription, also known as draft resistors. The war also led to division within Australian society, between those who supported and opposed the War. Some also felt the conscription method was injustice, because some people were allowed deferment or exemption from the war, while others were forced to participate. These issues arouse protests and anti-war movements that often turned violent.

National Service Scheme:

In November 1964, the Menzies Government announced the reintroduction of conscription for overseas military service and their plans to increase the Australian army to 35 700 within three years. This operation was called the National Service Scheme; it required all twenty year old men to register with the Department of Labour and National Service (DLNS) to be subject to a ballot. 

Those called up, selected from the ballot, were given a medical examination and security standards. The men who were conscripted were obliged to 2 years of continuous full-time service in the regular army, followed by three years part time service in the Army Reserve. The men who were enlisted for full-time were liable for overseas service, which could mean serving in Vietnam.

Every year more than 6000 young men would be picked to serve in Vietnam. In total almost 63 000 conscripted men were sent to Vietnam, 520 lost their lives and many thousands wounded from the war.

The Ballot:

The ballot system was like the lottery, later nicknamed “The Lottery of Death”. Registered men whose birth dates, written on numbered marbles, were drawn from a barrel, would be notified within a month by the DLNS of whether they were required for national service. This system of selecting conscripts caused controversy in the Australian community,  as some thought this method was unjust as it meant only one in ten were chosen for the service.

Reasons for Resistance:

The Vietnam War opened much debate in the Australian society, many who believed Australia’s participation was unnecessary. As the war progress, many failed to understand why the Vietnam War, which was a civil war, was any of Australia’s business.