US Army personnel used the M14 service rifle up through at least 1969 in Basic Training (Boot Camp). However, during AIT (Advanced Individual Training) which immediately followed Basic Training, men scheduled for Vietnam were trained with the new "Jungle Rifle"...designated the M16. Men sceduled for Europe (Germany) retained the M14 service rifle. The M14 served as an infantrymen's rifle in Vietnam with US troops, from about 1965 until approximately 1967; by which time the M16 was nearly fully transitioned into the units. US Army (US Marines may have been different) riflemen utilized two canvas magazine pouches on their pistol belts. One on each side, each able to contain two all steel M14 magazine with a 20 round capacity. 5 magazines were normally carried by riflemen; four on the pistol belt within the two above described pouches, and one in the rifle. Nearly always...the M14 rifle was issued with a bayonet; it was considered part of the rifle (except at the rifle range). The M14's magazine was made of steel and only held 20 cartridges. Carrying more than those above described 5 magazines would have been a heavy load. The M16 used ALUMINUM magazines; seven of those could be carried in a bandolier with ease.
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The term "combat troops" is confusing to civilians (and some military personnel too) because the term has been abused for so long. All US Army personnel are combat troops with specialized branches that specialize into specific combat jobs, formerly (which is why they used to go to BOOT CAMP; formerly known as Basic Combat Infantryman's Training) known as the combat arms branch: Armor (tanks), Artillery (cannons), and the Infantry (formerly fighting men/foot soldiers). During the late 1990 the US Army "may" have added other branches to that specialized combat arms system. Rumor control stated that the aviation branch was added to the combat arms system. The combat arms of the US Army are the conventional fighting branches of the US Army (or was during the Viet War days). US Combat troops, along with specialized troops were deployed to SOUTH Vietnam in 1955. CONVENTIONAL forces (those combat arms men previously discussed above were deployed in 1965).
The basic military force of the United States of America is the United States Army. The US Marines are part of the Navy. The US Coast Guard was part of the Department of Transportation, now is part of the Homeland Security. The US Air Force and US Navy are "strategic forces" able to conduct war 24-7 around the globe. The US Army CANNOT do that, they are a "tactical force" and depend upon the USAF & USN to transport them where ever they need to go, and provide protection while doing that! But, the Army is still our basic force, as we live on land, and the Army's jurisdiction is the land. During the Vietnam War, there were 3 branches of the US Army's COMBAT ARMS: The number one basic branch which all else supported was the Infantry. The other two were Armor & Artillery (Since Vietnam, the army has changed this arrangement). All other branches of the US Army (Engineers, aviation, transportation, ordnance, military police, administration, etc.) SUPPORTED THOSE THREE COMBAT ARMS! The mission of the Combat Arms Branches of Armor & Artillery was to SUPPORT the Infantry. During Vietnam, Korea, World War 2, World War 1, etc. without the Infantry, there was NO ARMY. The major occupation during the Vietnam War, was the US Army's Infantrymen.
Killing the foe Pretty basic
Since the youngest age for legal enlistment was 17 at the time of the Vietnam War, one could postulate that the birth date of the "youngest" Vietnam Veteran could have been January 1st, 17 years previous to the last date on which US troops were in Vietnam. That day would have been the day the US Embassy was evacuated after Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army. However, there have always been men who enlisted by falsification of their age. This was more common in World War Two, but there are cases during Vietnam where a soldier managed to get through Basic Training and Advanced Individual training before being discovered. Also, the Mayaguez Incident is considered part of the Vietnam War, so you should also consider the US Marines and US Air Force personnel who served in that short conflict.
no only after service with honorable discharge