Pick seven numbers between 1-60 and write them into your exercise book!
Conscription
Often known as conscription, the National Service Scheme was introduced by the Menzies Government in November 1964.
Under the National Service Scheme, twenty-year-old men were required to register with the Department of Labour and National Service (DLNS), they were then subject to a ballot which, if their birth date was drawn, meant the possibility of two years of continuous full-time service in the regular army, followed by three years part-time service in the Army Reserve. As part of their duty, national servicemen on full-time duty were liable for ‘special overseas service’ including combat duties in Vietnam.
The ballot resembled a lottery draw, even to the extent, in the case of the final five ballots, of being fully televised. Numbered marbles representing birthdates were chosen randomly from a barrel and within a month men whose numbers had been drawn were advised by the DLNS of whether they were required for participation in the scheme or not. Those failing to register without an acceptable explanation were automatically considered for call-up as well as being liable to a fine.
The process involved a medical examination by a civilian doctor. If passed, this was followed by an interview and finally a security check carried out by the Attorney General’s Department, the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Commonwealth Police. Men who passed these three tests were usually given a month’s notice before having to report for military service.
Men who failed to comply, who misled the medical board and who made false and misleading statements were liable to prosecution and if convicted were sentenced to prison for a period equivalent to that which would have been spent on national service. Fourteen men were thus prosecuted, until 1968 they were incarcerated in military prisons. Later, they served their time in civilian gaols. Between 1964 and December 1972 (when the Whitlam Government suspended the scheme), 804,286 twenty-year-olds registered for national service, 63,735 national servicemen served in the Army and 15,381 served in Vietnam. Between 1966 and 1971 Australian infantry battalions were typically comprised of an even mix of regular soldiers and national servicemen.
Activity Choice 1. Create a two page cartoon strip of the process of Conscription from beginning to end. This should take you more than one period if you do it properly. You are to consider perspective and how your images further understanding of the process. 2. Create a Pro-Conscription Propaganda poster AND an Anti-Conscription Poster. 3. Write a series of diary entries from the perspective of someone who is affected by the process of conscription. 4. Compile 5 sources about conscription in Australia. They should be a mix of primary and secondary. You are to annotate the sources using PowerPoint.
All work will be collected at the end of the lesson for marking!
Australians in Vietnam - The Team - 30 AATTV - Regulars - National Servicemen (Natos- Conscription)
You are to go to the following website and work through the questions. You are to answer the questions in your exercise book. Ensure you write in full sentences.