The last 3 years of the draft let you join whatever branch you wanted as long as you hadn't got your induction notice even if you had a low lottery number. You still got placed at the "government's convenience" according to the needed billets. The military was trying to fill ALL the billets that were open since the draft was coming to an end. After the draft we got a bunch of folks that were given the choice of jail or military service since Viet Nam was winding down. Even though I was in college I didn't get a deferment from my local draft board. Didn't want one anyway. It was my turn to do my part. Turned 18 in boot camp.