Psychiatric Evaluations for Young Men Facing the Draft: A Report of 147 Cases

This study describes psychiatric evaluations of 147 young men anticipating the draft; the material elicited contributed to a clinical picture of unsuitability for military service. The subjects fell within two broad groups: anxious, depressed, goal-directed individuals who were strongly resistant to authority, and withdrawn, aimless dropouts. Follow-up revealed that 96 percent of the respondents were subsequently deferred. The authors feel that civilian psychiatrists have a responsibility to maintain their patients' health, which is often incompatible with military service.