Did Biden Receive Multiple Draft Deferments Due to Asthma? Clarifying the Facts

There has been a recurring debate about whether Joe Biden received multiple draft deferments based on asthma during his college years. Let's delve into the accuracy of this claim and provide clarity on the actual circumstances surrounding Joe Biden's draft history.

Fact-Checking the Claim

The assertion that Joe Biden received multiple draft deferments due to asthma is a common topic in online discussions and political debates. However, this claim is largely based on misconceptions and lacks accurate factual support.

Asthma was indeed one of the criteria used for medical deferments during the Vietnam War era. Individuals with a history of asthma were often unable to serve due to the rigorous physical requirements of military service. However, Joe Biden's draft status was not based on multiple deferments, but rather a single, medically-induced deferment.

Joe Biden's Draft History

Joe Biden was married by 1966 and had children in 1970 and 1971. He was also a college student during these years, factors that would have naturally put him at a lower priority for selective service even without medical concerns.

According to official records and statements from trusted sources, Joe Biden was deferred from the draft based on his medical condition. Specifically, his doctor's examination found that his asthma was a significant factor in his medical eligibility for service. This is consistent with the medical criteria of the time.

As a Navy recruiter many years ago, I have seen applicants dropped due to similar conditions. The medical form for enlistment includes questions about current and past medical histories. If a person answers positively to having asthma, they are typically ineligible for service due to the physical demands of military duties.

Common Misconceptions and Debunking

There are several misconceptions surrounding Joe Biden's draft history. For instance, the idea that he received multiple deferments due to asthma is often repeated but not supported by factual evidence. Here are a few key points to debunk this claim:

Single Medical Deferment: Joe Biden did not dodge the draft multiple times. He was medically deferred once, and this deferment was based on a single, thorough medical evaluation. No Multiple Chances: During the Vietnam War era, once an individual was deferred due to medical reasons, they typically did not have multiple opportunities. The deferment was usually final, especially if the applicant's medical condition was deemed unfit for service. Threats and Penalties: The threat of fraudulent enlistment as a Federal crime and the possibility of a long prison sentence for such actions would have made many applicants very careful in their responses to the medical questions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the claim that Joe Biden received multiple draft deferments due to asthma is a common misconception. Joe Biden was medically deferred once based on his medical history during his college years. It is crucial to rely on factual sources and official records to clarify historical events and personal histories.

For those interested in learning more about Joe Biden's full draft history and other aspects of his life, further research and verification through reliable sources are recommended.