Vietnam Veteran Reflects: How the Draft He Dodged Shaped His Life

R.W. Trewyn spent years avoiding the Vietnam draft—enrolling in college, transferring schools, even milking cows on his family farm to stay out of Uncle Sam’s reach. But when his draft notice finally arrived in December 1967, it set him on a path he now calls the foundation of his life’s achievements.

From Draft Dodger to Decorated Sergeant

Trewyn, who grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm with little academic ambition, initially saw military service as a threat. His early attempts to evade conscription included leveraging student deferments and moving to Hawaii. But after being drafted at 24, he not only survived grueling combat in Vietnam—where he was promoted to staff sergeant—he later credited that experience for his rise in academia and research administration.

‘Follow Me’: Leadership Forged in Combat

His time in the Army’s accelerated Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate Course, known as the “Shake ‘N’ Bake” program for its rapid promotions, instilled principles he carried into civilian life. “Follow Me,” the infantry’s leadership motto, became a guiding philosophy. Trewyn cites three key lessons from his service: the power of believing “you can,” the importance of “WE not ME” teamwork, and the ability to make decisions amid chaos—skills he says propelled him to roles like university dean and research foundation president.

A Counterintuitive Gratitude

Decades later, Trewyn argues that the draft—which he once feared—unlocked opportunities he never imagined. His combat-honed leadership, he says, outweighed his unremarkable academic beginnings. Now, he urges young Americans to consider military service as a transformative experience, one that benefits both individuals and the nation. “Time in the military—serving America—will help correct [the problem of] too few recognizing and valuing this country,” he writes.

Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/11/old-vietnam-draft-dodger-thankful-he-failed/