The Vietnam Era Soldier

When the first Gulf War was finished there was an article in a major national magazine that compared the Vietnam era soldier to the Gulf War soldier.  It was complimentary to the Gulf War soldier but it hit the Vietnam era soldier pretty hard.  I was so bitter I canceled my subscription to that magazine and have never purchased one since. 

The article said that the Gulf War soldiers were older, better trained, better equipped, and much more motivated.  I believe that was all true.  The article concluded they were better soldiers and I think they were but that is not the full story.  When one compares soldiers from different times and soldiers who fought under very different conditions, there are many things to consider.  So I would like to give my opinion of the Vietnam era soldier. 

Many of the Vietnam era soldiers were drafted or were about to be drafted, so they enlisted to keep from being drafted.  Many were young, being only about nineteen years of age when they were sent to Vietnam.  Except for the noncommissioned officers (Sergeants) above the rank of E5 and Commissioned officers above Lieutenant, the entire military in Vietnam was composed of troops that had less than one year in the Army.  Most had finished basic training and an advanced training course such as Infantry, Artillery, or Flight School and then they went to Vietnam.  It was their first duty assignment.  They were new troops being led by very inexperienced leaders. 

The Army in the Vietnam era was doing a great job at preparing for the war that preceded them.  We were concerned about war with the Soviet Union and a conventional war.  Suddenly we were in a jungle, fighting a guerrilla force.  The planning and training were not for the type of fighting or warfare where we found ourselves. 
The Vietnam era soldier was under the direction of political leaders that were trying to direct a war as a business with calculated and measured responses.  Politics and appearances mattered more than sound military tactics.  Generals were not empowered to conduct the war to accomplish political ends.  Generals were told what they could bomb, how much they could bomb, and when to stop and let the enemy regroup.  The twisted rules of engagement permitted the Vietnam era soldier to be shot at and yet not allowed to return the fire.  Many times the GI’s were shot at but before they could return fire they had to ask permission to fire.  On many occasions we were told that the bullets coming at us were friendly fire and that we could not shoot back. 

There is no doubt that the military belongs under the control of political leaders. But political leaders shouldn't be trying to hamstring the military on the battlefield.  Soldiers’ blood  flows when political leaders are unclear what to do or when they wish to only do things halfhearted.   

The Vietnam War was a highly debated cause.  Even in the very early years of the war there was much controversy in our country on whether we should be fighting the war or not and how the war should be conducted.  Emotions ran high and protests were raging across the country.  The draft and its fairness were being debated at many levels in many places.  Some very well known public figures were making their opinions well known to the public. 

There were no stickers on cars or flags posted in support of the Vietnam era soldier.  There was no victory parade when the soldiers returned.  Few citizens said thank you to the Vietnam era soldier.  A few folks even spit on the returning soldiers and called them baby killers.  Most of the public just looked the other way and didn’t know what to say.  There was no understanding for the wounded and maimed.   There was no sympathy for families who lost loved ones or when their maimed sons returned home.   Their sacrifices were ridiculed, criticized, and mocked.   

Some soldiers from World War II told the Vietnam veterans that they weren’t really in a war – not a real war.  I always wondered if the dead and maimed understood that it wasn’t a real war.  The bullets seemed real.  The dead seemed dead.  The wounded seemed really hurt.  To the family that will forever have an empty seat at their table the loss is as real in a small unpopular war as it is in a great war.  I concede that in The Vietnam war the cause and scale were not as grand as previous wars but the dead were as dead, the wounded hurt as much, and the loss as great to the family who’s loved one didn’t return as in any other war.
 
It was under these conditions that young soldiers went to fight a war in a strange land for an unclear purpose.  Turning north and running to Canada was an option open to all but only a few took it.  Though young and in doubtful times the Vietnam era soldier did not run and hide.  He responded to the call for this doubtful cause and often amidst criticism from family and friends. 
 
Every soldier that has responded to the call should be respected.  The conditions are never the same twice.  Comparing is foolishness.  Understanding is what is needed.  Understanding the sacrifice of the soldier and his family is what should be taught to every young person and never be forgotten.  No one truly understands the depth of the sacrifice and service unless one has been there.  

Perhaps our war was not great, our goal unclear, our training poor, our support lacking, our hands tied behind our backs, but our blood was good enough to serve our country.  The blood that beat through the veins of the Vietnam era soldier was true and good.  I am proud to have been one!  Before judging others, it is important to understand the whole situation or consider everything in context.