As an expert in military history and policy, I can provide an in-depth explanation of the term "deferment" in the context of military service, particularly during the Vietnam War era.
Deferment refers to the postponement or delay of an individual's obligation to serve in the military. During the Vietnam War, the United States utilized a draft system known as the Selective Service System to conscript young men into the military. This system was designed to select individuals for military service based on a lottery system that considered factors such as age, marital status, and educational level.
The large cohort of Baby Boomers who reached the age of eligibility for military service during this time led to a significant increase in the number of young men who could potentially be drafted. To manage this influx and to address various social and political concerns, the government implemented a range of exemptions and deferments.
Exemptions were granted to individuals who met specific criteria that exempted them from military service altogether. These could include medical conditions, being the sole provider for a family, or being a minister or divinity student. On the other hand, deferments were temporary postponements that allowed individuals to delay their service for a specific reason, with the expectation that they would serve at a later time.
One of the most notable types of deferments during the Vietnam War era was for educational purposes. College and graduate students were granted deferments that allowed them to continue their studies. This policy was based on the belief that education was a valuable pursuit that should be encouraged and protected. It also reflected the societal value placed on higher education and the desire to maintain a well-educated population.
The granting of educational deferments was not without controversy. Critics argued that it disproportionately benefited those from more affluent backgrounds who could afford to attend college, effectively creating a two-tiered system where the wealthy could avoid the draft while the less fortunate were more likely to be conscripted. This led to a perception that the draft was unfair and contributed to the anti-war sentiment that grew during the Vietnam War.
It's important to note that the system of exemptions and deferments was part of a broader debate about the ethics and fairness of conscription. The Vietnam War was a highly polarizing conflict, and the draft system became a focal point for many of the social and political tensions of the era. The use of deferments, in particular, became a symbol of the perceived inequities in the draft and was a key factor in the eventual move towards an all-volunteer military force in the United States.
In summary, deferment during the Vietnam War was a mechanism that allowed certain individuals to delay their military service for a variety of reasons, most notably for educational purposes. While it served a purpose in managing the large pool of eligible draftees and promoting the value of education, it also became a contentious issue that highlighted the complexities and challenges of implementing a fair and equitable draft system during a time of national division and conflict.

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The large cohort of Baby Boomers who became eligible for military service during the Vietnam War also meant a steep increase in the number of exemptions and deferments, especially for college and graduate students.read more >>