Written by Lloyd Turner and Gordon Mitchell
Produced by Paul Junger Witt
Directed by Claudio Guzman
Original Air Date: October 16, 1970

The Partridge family are off to record their first album. Just as they are about to leave, Tracy runs up with a letter in her hand -- a letter from the U.S. Government!

To the total surprise of everyone, ten year old Danny has been drafted!

Reuben says he will stay behind to clear up the matter and join the family soon. On the bus, the other kids tease Danny about going into the army but he has taken it very seriously. He fantasizes himself in uniform performing heroic deeds.

The Partridges are in the recording studio listening to the final tape playback of their album when Reuben enters with the bad news. He was unable to get Danny off the hook. Furious -- and armed just with Danny's birth certificate -- Shirley makes the trip to the L.A. Induction Center alone.

Shirley is sent from one officer to another and no one will take the time to help her. Still fuming, she decides she will show them -- she will bring Danny there and have him go through induction.

Danny says a tearful good-bye to his mother and enters the inducting office. He manages to get through the various stages of the physical without being detected, but just as he is about to be sworn in, the officers spot him. Terribly disappointed, Danny tells his mother that they wouldn't accept him because he is too short.

Danny says he thinks this experience has made him wise beyond his years and that he'll be at least 11-1/2 before he is emotionally mature.

Song:
"On The Road," music and lyrics by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (on The Partridge Family Album)

Guest Cast:
Officer Moody --------------------------------------- Jonathan Daly
Sgt. Sizemore ---------------------------------------- Laurence Haddon
Corporal Wrzesinski --------------------------------- Jack Riley
Engineer --------------------------------------------- Jared Martin
Eye Doctor ------------------------------------------ Ted Scott

Tube Trivia:
- Jonathan Daly was also in Episode 16.
- Laurence Haddon played Coach Dawson in Episode 32.
- Jared Martin is best remembered for his roles on "Fantasic Journey" and "Dallas" (as Dusty Farlow).
- Jack Riley is best known for playing Mr. Carlin on "The Bob Newhart Show."
- Director Claudio Guzman was the staff director on "I Dream of Jeannie".
- The Partridge Family's first album, according to this episode, has a photo of them painting the bus on the front, and artwork of a partridge on the back.