4-F

At the height of the Vietnam War, I was a 17-year-old freshman at Mississippi State University. I figured that if I was going to be drafted that I needed every advantage that I could manage. Thinking it would be strategic, I signed up for a special unit of the ROTC program called the Maroon Berets. We played army like other units, but we also learned some special tactics like grenade-throwing and crawling in the mud.

I transferred to Mississippi College the second semester of my freshman year, but I was still thinking about how to best position myself for the call from my draft board in Greenwood, Mississippi. I had some friends who were drafted, and they were fast tracked for the infantry and bound for Southeast Asia in the blink of an eye.

Knowing  that I would rather go into the military as an officer rather than a “buck private,” I decided to volunteer for officer training in hopes of being able to stay in college after the training while being a part of the local army reserve.

Four months after turning 18, I applied for officer candidate training and received notification to report for the physical examination. I had gathered my medical records and completed the comprehensive medical information forms, and early in the physical exam I was diverted to talk with someone in a private room. That man asked me a lot of questions about my stomach ulcer.

When I was a junior in high school, I had some stomach problems and after several medical tests, I was diagnosed with a small ulcer in my duodenum. I ate baby food and milkshakes for six weeks, and I had not had any other stomach problems after that short period. I had forgotten about the ulcer.

After a few more moments he looked across the desk at me as he slammed a rubber stamp on my application. The sight of the red “4-F” shocked me. He excused me, and as I walked out of the recruitment facility my thoughts went to the events that led me to transfer to Mississippi College and pursue a career in ministry. God was affirming the special plans He had for me regarding serving others in Jesus’ name.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV.