How the War in Vietnam Shaped America’s Future Military

2023-04-30T16:53:42-04:00

On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War officially ended. The long and bloody conflict had lasted for over a decade and had resulted in the deaths of millions of people, including civilians, soldiers, and guerrilla fighters from both sides. The end of the war was marked by the fall of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, to the communist forces of North Vietnam.

For those of us who served in that period or remember the treatment of our returning soldiers, this is a day to honor their service and their sacrifices.

The Vietnam War was a protracted conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975. During this time, a significant number of American soldiers were killed and wounded. According to the United States Department of Defense, the official casualty figures for the Vietnam War are:

- Total US Military Personnel (including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard): 8,744,000 served
- Deaths: 58,220
- Wounded: 153,303

It is important to note that these figures do not include the thousands of soldiers who suffered from non-fatal injuries, illnesses, or long-term health effects because of their service in Vietnam.

The high number of American casualties in the Vietnam War was a major factor in shaping public opinion and ultimately led to widespread opposition to the war. The human toll of the war, coupled with the perceived lack of progress and the controversy surrounding the draft, fueled anti-war sentiment and contributed to the social and political upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Vietnam War had a significant impact on the creation of the all-volunteer army in the United States. Prior to the war, the US military relied heavily on the draft to fill its ranks. The draft was a system of compulsory military service, in which young men were required to serve in the military for a set period.

During the Vietnam War, the draft became highly controversial. Many young men were opposed to the war and felt that they were being forced to fight in a conflict that they did not believe in. The draft also led to widespread protests and civil disobedience, with many people refusing to comply with the draft or burning their draft cards.

The controversy surrounding the draft highlighted the need for a new system of recruiting soldiers. In 1969, President Richard Nixon established the Gates Commission, which was tasked with examining the future of the US military. The commission recommended the creation of an all-volunteer military, which would rely on incentives and recruitment efforts to attract young men and women to the military.

The creation of the all-volunteer military was seen as a way to address the problems of the draft and to create a more professional and efficient military. Supporters of the all-volunteer army argued it would attract more motivated and skilled soldiers, who would be more likely to make a career out of military service. They also argued that an all-volunteer army would be less prone to the civil unrest and anti-war protests that had plagued the military during the Vietnam War.

The decision to create an all-volunteer military was not without controversy. Critics argued that an all-volunteer military would be more expensive and that it would disproportionately affect lower-income Americans, who would be more likely to enlist in the military for financial reasons. They also argued that an all-volunteer military would create a divide between the military and civilian population, with the military becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of society.

Despite these concerns, the all-volunteer military was established in 1973. The new system relied on a combination of incentives, such as signing bonuses and educational benefits, to attract young men and women to the military.

However, the all-volunteer military also faced its own set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges was the need to maintain a high level of recruitment in order to meet the demands of ongoing conflicts such as the Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This led to concerns about overstretching the military and putting too much pressure on the soldiers and their families.

There are several advantages to having an all-volunteer army, including:
1. High-quality recruits: An all-volunteer military attracts a higher caliber of recruits who are motivated, skilled, and committed to serving their country. Volunteers have a greater sense of duty and are more likely to approach their service as a career, rather than as a temporary obligation.
2. Professionalization and training: An all-volunteer force allows for greater investment in professionalization and training. The military can spend more time and resources on training and development, resulting in a more skilled and capable fighting force.
3. Greater flexibility: An all-volunteer force is more flexible and responsive to changing military needs. It allows for greater specialization and can adapt to new challenges and technologies more quickly.
4. Improved morale: Volunteers who have chosen to serve in the military have higher morale and greater job satisfaction than conscripts. They are more likely to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their work, which can translate to better performance and outcomes.

The painful lessons learned in the Vietnam War provided the impetus to create the modern, all-volunteer military of today. The sacrifice of those who served in Vietnam must always be remembered and honored.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 30 at 2023 5:06 PM

2023-04-30T17:06:22-04:00

Thank you for the history share RallyPoint Shared Content .

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Apr 30 at 2023 5:37 PM

2023-04-30T17:37:55-04:00

Good afternoon. Excellent post. Thank You for sharing this.

Response by MSgt Laura Marbut (aka Roberts) made Apr 30 at 2023 5:47 PM

2023-04-30T17:47:13-04:00

Being a full-fledge Army Brat from 1955 to 1978, we lived at Ft Campbell from 1965 to 1970. My father was NCOIC of the Ft Campbell Army Hospital, and I was a Red Cross volunteer at the hospital from age 13-15. Being so close to Clarksville and Nashville, TN, I got to see and hear about the sit-ins and protests going on out there. It got to where I hardly left the post unless the whole family went. But then, we didn't really have much reason to leave post.
Coming to Memphis, TN in 1970 was another story where nobody understood a damn thing. My father joined a VFW post and there, we found a home with all the other soldiers, wives, and their kids. We had our own bond nobody else understood, and I was happy.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2023 6:00 PM

2023-04-30T18:00:45-04:00

https://youtu.be/b3LdMAqUMnM

Paul Hardcastle - 19

Video from 1985. No. 1 hit in the 80's. Produced by Mike Oldfield. Good quality, DVD rip.

Response by MSgt Laura Marbut (aka Roberts) made Apr 30 at 2023 7:49 PM

2023-04-30T19:49:28-04:00

I started my career in Recruiting for the all-voluntary military in 1987 for 13 years and ended my career in Retention in 2006. Basically the same thing. During my time, we didn't have a problem getting people to enlist, especially after Desert Storm and 9/11. We had so many applicants that I had packages stacked on the floor behind my desk for lack of desk and cabinet space. I got to enlist many high quality individuals, many who have now retired. (We're Facebook friends, so we've kept up with each other.) During the conflicts, there were more parents of the non-priors who expressed their displeasure with their child's decision, but who eventually would call me to tell me how proud they were of what the military had done for their once immature child. g

I think me loving my job so much and loving America and the military even more made it possible to keep the unit fully manned and get the job done.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 30 at 2023 10:36 PM

2023-04-30T22:36:43-04:00

Carl Von Clausewitz opined there are 3 significant components of war:

- Government policy.
- Military acumen.
- The will of the people.

The will of the people certainly played a role in this war for both sides. Also I am inclined to believe we do not put enough emphasis on terrain in regard to our wars. Think about Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Apr 30 at 2023 11:14 PM

2023-04-30T23:14:19-04:00

Great post on the lessons we learned from our involvement in Vietnam,I enlisted in the Army in 1965,did a tour with the 4th Infantry Division,served with many draftees ,most turned out to be better soldiers than me,some even re-enlisted where I didn’t.I find it sad that the Country could not implement a fair system of service to our nation,I appreciate those who voluntarily join our Military ,they are really our best

Response by SPC Rob Smith made May 1 at 2023 1:44 AM

2023-05-01T01:44:02-04:00

My father had retired as e7 in 06/1967, 05/1968 He received a phone call and got called up for the Tet offensive.. At that time the senior nco cadre was pretty much depleted. So he did his tour with the 1/9th 1st cav obtained the rank of e9 then retired with 5th army as SGM.
My Uncle was a civilian contractor with Brown Root Fishback Moore. as an electrician was severely injured in a morter attack around Da Nang didnt find him for three days, had a craniotomy on the USS Nightengale docked outside Da Nang. Shipped to Ft Sam All this time my father took his leave to go back to vietnam to search for him because we didnt have any information on his location or transport to the states..

Response by Bill Buxter made May 2 at 2023 5:11 AM

2023-05-02T05:11:07-04:00

Live sex cams sites also offer a wide range of payment options, making it accessible for people with different budgets.

https://milfcam.cc/chat/eastern_fairy_tale

https://pantyhosecam.org/chat/bizarrelovetriangle

https://thegaycamchat.com/chat/tallskinnypackin

Sexy MILF eastern_fairy_tale gets wild in her private chat room

Experience the ultimate pleasure with renowned webcam model eastern_fairy_tale in her private chat room on the wildest MILF cam website.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made May 2 at 2023 3:02 PM

2023-05-02T15:02:40-04:00

Today for most of the Vietnam veterans don’t feel like it could be that long ago. One thing that was striking was the photo capture of people holding onto the last flight out of there

Response by SPC James Neidig made May 5 at 2023 1:14 AM

2023-05-05T01:14:37-04:00

When I Went Through Parris Island In 79 , ALL Of My Drill Instructors Were Vietnam Vets, Most Of The Instructors At My A-Schools Were Also,
When I Got To My Permanent Squadron Most Of The NCOs Wore Combat Aircrew Wings From Vietnam,
They Were All My Mentors And Shaped Me Into A Marine !

Response by CPL LaForest Gray made May 6 at 2023 11:15 AM

2023-05-06T11:15:23-04:00

1st Respect to ALL Vietnam veterans.
4 of my uncles served during the war (2) Army, (1) Marines and (1) Navy.

1.) Why has the black soldier's experience in Vietnam been overlooked and marginalized?

“Imagine waking up in a foreign land surrounded by other people in the same uniform as you who do not view you as an equal let alone a true American.”

By Richard Danforth
Posted Nov 21, 2017 at 6:04 PM

Source : https://www.google.com/amp/s/http://www.jacksonville.com/opinion/columnists/2017-11-21/guest-column-why-has-black-soldier-s-experience-vietnam-been%3ftemplate=ampart

2.) American Minority Groups in the Vietnam War: A Resource Guide

American minority groups served in all branches of the military during the Vietnam War. This guide comprises Library of Congress digital resources and print materials related to the topic.

Introduction
African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans all took part in the Vietnam War. These men and women served honorably and with distinction. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society
External
lists 23 African Americans,
External
five Asian/Pacific Islander Americans ,
External
21 Hispanic Americans,
External
and three Native Americans
External
as holders of the Medal of Honor.

Approximately 300,000 African Americans served in the Vietnam War. In 1965, African Americans filled 31% of the ground combat battalions in Vietnam, while the percentage of African Americans as a minority in the general population was 12%. In 1965, African Americans suffered 24% of the U.S. Army's fatal casualties. African Americans saw combat at a higher percentage and suffered casualties at a higher rate. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. referred to the Vietnam War as a white man’s war, a black man’s fight.

See: Vietnam in Military Statistics: A History of the Indochina Wars, 1772-1991, M. Clodfelter (pp. 243, 255) and Vietnam War: The Essential Reference Guide, J. Willbanks (pp. 4-5).

According to the Library of Congress online presentation Belonging on and off the Battlefield: Asian Americans in the U.S. Military, roughly 35,000 Asian Americans served in the Vietnam War.

Hispanic Americans also served in Vietnam in great numbers. The U.S. Army web site Hispanics in the U.S. Army states that over 80,000 Hispanic Americans served in the war. A U.S. Senate resolution from the 115th Congress recognizing the 2017 Hispanic Heritage Month stated Hispanic Americans suffered 5.5% of Vietnam War deaths and made up 4.5% of the general U.S. population.

Approximately 42,000 Native Americans served in the Vietnam War, continuing a long tradition of serving in the U.S. military. The National Museum of the American Indian presentation Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces
External states Native Americans cited family and tribal traditions as reasons for serving in the war.

SOURCE : https://guides.loc.gov/american-minority-groups-in-the-vietnam-war

SOURCE : https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/assets/1/7/African_Americans_in_the_Vietnam_War.pdf

3.) Serving without 'equal opportunity': Vietnam veterans faced racism at home and abroad

During the civil rights movement, Ohio veterans Joseph Jennings and Edward Morast risked their lives for a country that denied them basic freedoms.

SOURCE : https://www.dispatch.com/in-depth/news/2020/12/03/black-vietnam-veterans-systemic-racism-military/ [login to see] /

*** this a repost from myself, because people are tooooo comfortable with the status quo ***

“I will not apologize for telling the FACTS, in a world that worship the lies”.

P.S.

EVERY Soldier made sacrifices to a disrespectful American society that shunned them upon their return.

ALL (Airforce, Army, Cost Guard, Marines, Navy).

The Florida Times-Union

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made May 9 at 2023 12:36 PM

2023-05-09T12:36:37-04:00

One other aspect of how Vietnam shaped our military is that, at least in the Army, the leadership went to extraordinary lengths to abrogate the entire experience. Rather than seriously examine the lessons learned in Vietnam, the Army did a very deliberate about face. Throughout the next decade the mantra of Army training seemed to be The Only Enemy Is The Big Bad Bear And The Only Battlefield Is The Central European Plain.

When we entered the era of GWOT we suddenly found ourselves needing to reinvent counterinsurgency -- and we created an entire vocabulary of new terms to talk about this ALL NEW kind of warfare. "Asymmetric Warfare" was all new. "White Space" was a whole new idea on the battlefield where we faced the new problem of a "360° battlefield"

Response by SSgt Stephen Bramham made May 9 at 2023 3:23 PM

2023-05-09T15:23:22-04:00

Enlisted in 1967 and served in country from 1970-71.
Separated from active duty Easter Sunday 1971.

Response by 1SG Dave McWilliams made May 11 at 2023 10:33 PM

2023-05-11T22:33:52-04:00

The all volunteer military is going to go back to a hollow military as in the 1950 prior to the Korean conflict . We are little by little stripping away the incentives to stay for 20 plus years on active duty . They have stripped away the pension for those staying 20 years and getting the pay right after retirement. This is a breach of trust with the America fighting forces . 20 years from now there will be no more seasoned war fighters that will stay in cause there is no incentive .

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made May 28 at 2023 12:08 PM

2023-05-28T12:08:25-04:00

In Vietnam I had the privilege of walking alongside my heroes. We did not quit in Vietnam the politicians who sent us did. a lot of us who served remembered "ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU ASK WHAT CAN YOU DO FORF YIOUR CKIUNTRY". There were soldiers who protested Vietnam before they were drafted but served in Vietnam. Not all burnt their draft cards or cut and ran to avoid military service. Like a lot of us did not believe in war. But we still believed in our country before the betrayal of the leaders who sent us. Excuse my anger.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2023 12:33 PM

2023-06-28T12:33:29-04:00

Thanks for the info.

Response by SPC Gary Symons made Jul 8 at 2023 8:25 PM

2023-07-08T20:25:49-04:00

I don’t want to remember Vietnam but for all those that went with on December 13, 1967 (about 10,000), and especially my fellow combat medics who never returned, they are forever tattooed on my heart.

Photo of me standing and two of my many tattoos on my heart. Old Man McConnell (because all us medics were 17 to 20 and the old man was 26 when KIA) and Evans who was 20 and the first of us KIA.

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Jul 14 at 2023 1:31 PM

2023-07-14T13:31:06-04:00

It destroyed the draft. Young people need to serve their country. They learn a lot by servering for couple of years. Semper Fi

Response by MSgt Laura Marbut (aka Roberts) made Oct 3 at 2023 9:06 PM

2023-10-03T21:06:49-04:00

Hey there. This time I'm out here as the life-long Army Brat that I was. In case you're interested, there is an excellent book out told from the view of a 10-year old whose Col father got stationed in Saigon in 1969. "The Ignorance of Bliss - an American Kid in Saigon", by Sandy Hannah.
And we Brats even have our own Facebook pages and web sites.