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According to the "Statistics About the Vietnam War", recommended by the History Channel; two thirds of US servicemen volunteered for the Military/Vietnam. But as any EXPERIENCED historian will tell you, "statistics (data)" can be misleading. Example: During the 1960's when a young man either enlisted or was drafted into the US Army (the army was the most common), his friends would jokingly say to him, "...remember John, Don't Volunteer for nothen!" Or "...remember John, NEVER volunteer!" This was an old joke from the WWII fellows, passed on down to the Korean War veterans, then onto us Vietnam guys. When entering the US Army, stateside or overseas it went like this: "I need three volunteers...you, you, and you." The Sgt then reports to the LT or Captain and says, "I got your three volunteers sir!" On paper, and for historians there's your three volunteers. During the Vietnam War, draftees served 2 years on active duty, with 4 years inactive reserve, OR 6 years Active Reserve/National Guard duty (today it's 8 years). US for a draftee was stamped on his dog tags. RA (Regular Army) was stamped on a volunteer's dog tags. ALL (or most) RA's enlisted for 3 or more years. So how did 2 year RA's get RA stamped on their dog tags? They were drafted and offered the opportunity to volunteer. On paper, and for historians, there's your 2/3% of volunteers in Vietnam. There were TRUE volunteers in Vietnam and the Army. Those figures would have to come from the 3 years or more enlistments. Those are the true volunteers. But those numbers won't be as high; so............................

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