WW2 Draft, Can Anyone Help?

[carsonshepherd]

Does anyone know anything about the classifications for the draft during WW2? On Google all I could find was the classifications for Viet Nam. All I really need to know is the classification for medically ineligible for the draft.

 

[Kassiana]

According to It's A Wonderful Life, it's 4-F. "George, 4-F because of his ear..."

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Does anyone know anything about the classifications for the draft during WW2? On Google all I could find was the classifications for Viet Nam. All I really need to know is the classification for medically ineligible for the draft.

4-f, medically unfit.

The 4-F classification was given primarily for muscular and bone malformations, hearing or circulatory ailments, mental deficiency or disease, hernias, and syphilis. There were ramifications when a man got that classifications.

-Colly

Edited to add: Be careful if you decide to give your character a 4- classification. It was very difficult to live with. Many girls wouldn't date a guy who was 4-f and unless the reason for the classification was obvious (hunch back, etc.) many older folks considered them to be dodgeing the draft in small town america.

It wasn't unusual for college girls to date high school boys rather than 4-fers their own age and the same went for hiring opportunities. Obviously if your character has good reason to be 4-f, there won't be a lot of animosity towards him.

 

[carsonshepherd]

What sorta ramifications?

My character has a like a congenital heart defect.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

What sorta ramifications?

My character has a like a congenital heart defect.

Mostly those I mentioned. I don't really know how to put it, obviously I wasn't there (at least I hope that's obvious )

Peope who were 4-f were not-fit. There wasn't a culture at the time that understood and accepted medical and mental disabilities as readily. It was hard for a 4-fer to get a job, even in a war time economy where there were tons of openings. If the defect was obvious, he suffered less, but a strapping fellow who looked like he should be in uniform had a hard row to hoe.

There was also a self esteem blow, WWII wasn't like Vietnam, men wanted to go fight. Being unfit for service was a blow to their self image in many cases. And in small towns, hey were objects of...interest I guess is the best word. It wasn't neccessarily bad, although in sme cases it was.

Keep in mind if you failed your wasserman test you were classified 4-f. If you had no obvious problems and they discovered something during your physical, there would be rumors no matter what you were actually suffering from.

-Colly

 

[carsonshepherd]

Mostly those I mentioned. I don't really know how to put it, obviously I wasn't there (at least I hope that's obvious )

Peope who were 4-f were not-fit. There wasn't a culture at the time that understood and accepted medical and mental disabilities as readily. It was hard for a 4-fer to get a job, even in a war time economy where there were tons of openings. If the defect was obvious, he suffered less, but a strapping fellow who looked like he should be in uniform had a hard row to hoe.

There was also a self esteem blow, WWII wasn't like Vietnam, men wanted to go fight. Being unfit for service was a blow to their self image in many cases. And in small towns, hey were objects of...interest I guess is the best word. It wasn't neccessarily bad, although in sme cases it was.

Keep in mind if you failed your wasserman test you were classified 4-f. If you had no obvious problems and they discovered something during your physical, there would be rumors no matter what you were actually suffering from.

-Colly

That's kind of what I thought... what I've worked into the story already actually.

Thanks Colleen, you are the best!!!

 

[Colleen Thomas]

That's kind of what I thought... what I've worked into the story already actually.

Thanks Colleen, you are the best!!!

Glad I could be of help

 

[JRaven]

A very dear friend of mine recently celebrated his 85th birthday. Once, he said that the greatest disappointment in his life was not being able to serve during WWII. In a workplace accident, he had lost the middle three fingers of his right hand. He went from recruiting office to recruiting office, hoping to be accepted. He told the Army and the Marines that he still had his trigger finger. They still wouldn't take him. So he went to the Navy office, explaining that he didn't need a trigger finger. He was still rejected, still felt dejected.

He was probably one of the exceptions that Colly mentioned. His defect was obvious and he didn't have a problem getting work. Or dates. He has mentioned having to beat the women back with a stick. Then adds that he usually used the stick in his pants. He's a dirty, old man, but the good kind.

Jenny

 

[R. Richard]

Back in WW II, the old-imers say that the 4F classification was translated as "Too fat to fight." Thus goes right along with what Colly said.

 

[Jagged]

Medical reasons varied alot it seemed. I knew people disqualified from Vietnam for problems they had and ones they could have.

I knew man rejected from the Army (trying to join) because of Asma. He was depressed but went on to a play college football and even minor legal hockey. Go figure? A heart problem could be a reason for rejection.

 

[Huckleman2000]

My father dropped out of high school in his senior year of March/April of 1945 to enlist, so that he could choose his branch of service. He turned 18 in July after his class graduated, and was a SeaBee in the Navy by that time. He believed that, had he not enlisted, he would have been drafted. Soon afterwards, the atomic bombs on Japan ended the war; but he had no idea of that going into his service.

 

[Weird Harold]

Does anyone know anything about the classifications for the draft during WW2? On Google all I could find was the classifications for Viet Nam.

Just in case anyone else needs to know about draft classification, the system used in Vietnam was the same as used in WWI, WWII and Korea. The classification system hasn't changed although the conditions that result in '4' classification have been redefined a few times.

If you're writing about someone who was 4F in WWII, you probably should know the term "4F Jody" (also spelled jodie) -- A derogatory term used by soldiers for the guy back home that was stealing all the girls; usually implying a 4F designation obtained by fraud or deception. It sounds like you're writng a story about a "4F Jody."

 

[R. Richard]

Re: Re: WW2 Draft, Can Anyone Help?

If you're writing about someone who was 4F in WWII, you probably should know the term "4F Jody" (also spelled jodie) -- A derogatory term used by soldiers for the guy back home that was stealing all the girls; usually implying a 4F designation obtained by fraud or deception. It sounds like you're writng a story about a "4F Jody."

Good point WH! The term Jody/Jodie (both spellings are used about equally) is the guy back home taking it easy while you, the soldier, risk your life.

 

[BlackShanglan]

*sigh*

Damn, it's beautiful.

Just seen the draft.

No kind of Jody.

Fucking Carson. One day I will write like that.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Re: Re: WW2 Draft, Can Anyone Help?

It sounds like you're writng a story about a "4F Jody."

Nope. Not. But thanks for the historical info. All the WW2 vets I've known (grandpa, scads of uncles) are all gone now.