My story is very similar to the song. In brief: In the early 60's I tried to join the army---went thru the physical and then was delayed from being inducted due a charge of destruction of city property--(when I was a kid I got caught stealing a stop sign in a bank parking lot). They finally contacted the city police and said all was ok and all I had to do was be sworn in. I said " what is that?". the sargent said, "you take the oath". I said, "what oath?" The sargent said, " you take the oath to obey the president of the US and all superior officers for 3 years so help you God". I said, " That doesn't make sense--nobody really does that--it would be a lie--and what if some crasy officer wanted me to kill an innocent civilian--I can't do that". The sargent said, "It's just an oath--everyone does it---it doesn matter". I said, " if it dosen't matter then I won't do it-- I can't start this next 3 years with a lie". The sargent took me to his superior and his superior took me back down to the induction center where the physical testing was being held. Again I had to strip down, but this time I was interviewed by the guys in white coats who accused me of being a communist. I told them I was not going take the oath and they could put me in jail if they wanted, but do it or not do it and quit f---ing with me. I was escorted out and labled unfit to serve.

Thank you arlo, every time I hear the song I remember this most lucky day in my life.

Dave Hanks

Neat story! Glad you didn't have to get inducted. Welcome to the site...

never even made to the group w bench