New SG-1 topic to discuss

[jennickels]

Yes, I'm on a roll with random SG-1 back story questions/topics.

So, over the years I've made a spreadsheet chart of all the characters' ages and whatnot so I can keep track of things. I even add in original characters (if their ages are important) and notes about different aspects of the plot. It's big mess but it works. At one point I was working on a story about Jack when he was teen and that got me thinking about his early military career.

What's the consensus on that? Or is there one?

Based on numerous fan sites one of his ribbons is for service in Vietnam. Being born in 1952 (as the sites say) that would have put him way on the tail end of the war at 18-19 years old so he couldn't have gone to the Academy. In fact, Jack would have had to enlist.

Based on the birthdate of October 20, 1952, Jack would have been eligible for the draft in 1971 and his draft number would have been 331 which was never called. America began pulling out of Vietnam in March of 1973. Yes, I did the research on this.
(also in this research I found out my dad, who enlisted in the Marines when he was 18 never would have been drafted either, his number was never called)

In my head, this is canon. So what happened to him after that? Since you need a degree to become an officer I always assumed he went to college while still on active duty (I'm not sure if that was a thing in the 70s but it is now). Then moved through the ranks, eventually getting a graduate degree, because we all know Jack is a lot smarter than he lets on.

Does all that make sense?

Opposing theories?

Comments

[nynaeve-sedai.livejournal.com]

My dad majored in biology but he told me it wasn't uncommon for guys to just get a psych degree because it was easier. I saw my dad's schedule once, I don't know that he ever slept - he was super close to a chemistry minor but he needed to graduate and the minor wasn't necessary. I don't think Jack would have gone into the sciences. I don't think he's a dope, but I could see him going more for a poli sci major. I know props put him with an engineering degree? My dad got his masters in public administration because as you move up the ranks, there's more politicking - which my dad hated and that's why he retired when he did. He didn't want to kiss butts to get higher up LOL (and he always said as soon as they tried to put him behind a desk, he was out and colonels don't do a lot of flying. That's one of the many SG inaccuracies - Jack would likely not be going out into the field). For a lot of guys, even my dad, the degree is a means to an end. Doesn't mean they're stupid, it just means that when you have a full time job, a wife, and you're young and you want to get into a cockpit, you'll get whatever fits the bill. (My dad just really likes science).

[jennickels.livejournal.com]

My dad mentioned the thing about Jack being a colonel still in the field. He found that completely unbelievable, but, eh... suspension of disbelief. The SGC did have an overabundance of colonels and lt. colonels, didn't it?

I don't see Jack in the hard sciences either. I always imagine history for some reason, emphasis on military history. Or military strategy. I don't know why.