I became draft age in ’75 as America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam conflict had essentially ceased. I had considered enlisting but did not feel I could trust my government with regards to those it might determine warranted killing.
I was reminded of this when my friend’s son Adam, part of Marines 1/5 for the fall of Baghdad in the second Gulf War, returned home from Iraq. When I cautiously asked him about his experiences in a combat zone, the first words out of his mouth were, “We killed people for no reason.”
I learned from him that even with very specific rules of engagement, innocent people would die. A vehicle would approach his checkpoint too fast, too erratic, and not heed signals to stop or slow down, and he and his fellow Marines would fire upon the vehicle and its occupants. He told me about the time he did just that, and when he went to inspect the vehicle, it was full of dead and wounded women and children, some of whom were screaming or crying or moaning, in terror or pain or anguish.
He bears no physical scars from his tour of duty, but is on PTSD status. I was traumatized by merely hearing of some of his encounters over there. I can only imagine the toll it takes actually living them.
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Every veterans experience is unique to themselves.
I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July of 1962. There were no student or marriage deferments for us young men at that time. These came later. This was prior to the Vietnam troop buildup which began after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964.
My first 13 months of service were in technical schools and aircrew training. It was very intensive and demanding.
I then became an airborne cic operator and accumulated over 2500 flight hours by the end of my enlistment in 1966.
I entered as a very green young teenager and left a man with experience that cannot be achieved in a college classroom.
I am proud of my military service and would do it again if I could turn back the calendar.
dumasarok
Level 7
Nov 11, 2019
1
I was in the last draft call for Vietnam in 1974. My number was 84 and they were approaching 60 something. I decided to enlist as opposed to being drafted. I was in the last semester of my Freshman in college.
I decided on the marines. I took the written exam and the physical and passed both. I was about to sign when the recruiter told me stay in college as word down the line was that Vietnam was coming to an end. I took his advice and did not enter.
As a high school teacher I support my students who want to enter the military I was opposed to the Vietnam War. But I realized early on that some of my students lacked direction and discipline. Let alone a good work ethic. Regardless ones feeling about the purpose and agenda of the military ( any military), it is still a good place for these students. It gives them those skills they lack, the discipline to see a job through, and an improved work ethic.
t1nick
Level 8
Nov 11, 2019
1
there are plenty of ways to learn discipline without having to kill innocent people for nothing
As a teacher you see lots of personalities and lots of character traits cross your doorstep. Teaching in the Native American culture there is a strong military tradition that NA's are proud of. They still have a strong warrior tradition within their culture. I cannot change that, nor would I be in the rights to try.
Not all military personal kill people. Not all people killed by military are innocent. Not all military personal are honorable and just ( thus need and presence of a Leavenworth).
Some young persons need the harsher discipline of the military structure. Without it there is a good chance they would not find soon enough on there own and end up taking paths that are much more self destructive and become lost. And yes PTSD is a self-destructive reality and not an acceptable alternative. Peacetime military has its benefits and purposes.
And people wonder why I don't jump up for joy when asked to support the troops. What sucks is a lot of them are in it for honorable reasons but our government uses them as tools for their own agendas.
flatlinegamer
Level 4
Nov 11, 2019
3
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