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Steve
Professor98% of the US servicemen who served their country during the cold war felt that the military had been a good experience, for many at least, when looking back on it. Often in life, when preparing for THE WORST, they find that an organization is not that bad after all. Many career servicemen (20 year men) ORIGINALLY WERE DRAFTED (or going to be drafted). Many of the men that volunteered for the service (called RA's-Regular Army...draftee's were called US's) thought the military would be great, it wasn't what they thought it would be...so they did their time (did their 3 years) and promptly GOT OUT. Both classes of men RA & US, that completed their service to their country...felt a feeling of pride and contentment with life. Civilians (past age 40) who NEVER served, have often stated, "...I wish I had gone in the service." Or "...I wish I had gone in the service...I'd been retired by now." All people age, "no man is going to get out of life ALIVE!" As people get older, and they see world events happening around them, these older and wiser people may feel that they missed out on something, something's missing, possibly something that they should have done during their lifetime...but for some reason or another, didn't do. Now it catches up to them...it's called REGRET. A few year's back their was a "rash" of fake Viet War veterans; MANY of whom were famous people such as Movie Stars and Politicians. Why were they telling people that they were combat veterans? Something was missing in their lives, so they fabricated a more colorful past for themselves. That missing item, may have been contentment.
Because of the cold war, mobilizing of the military reserves would be an indication of preparing for (total) war. This would or could have caused the Soviets/Red Chinese to mobilize THEIR military reserves. That's what the cold war was all about; upping the ante.
This had to be avoided at most (or all) costs; consequently, Vietnam was fought with drafted men.
Men were drafted during the Vietnam War starting at 18 years old, while the minimum voting age at the time was 21. Also there were draft exceptions for college students and certain professionals. This caused some to claim the draft was supplying a "poor man's Army."
What war was the most recent to use conscription?
The first US draft was the US Civil War (1861-1865); the last US draft was the Vietnam War (1961-1975).
What were the rules of engagement during the Vietnam War?
be good kill people have fun use your knife use your gun win the war
Did the North or South use a draft to raise armies during the civil war?
yes
What kind of money does Vietnam use?
During the war the south used French "P's" (Piasters).
How many military drafts has the US had?
The US first tried to establish a draft for use in the War of 1812, but the Congress denied James Madison's request. Prior to the US Civil War, the various colonies and later States provided the Militias and the Federal government forces in a manner that they deemed appropriate, usually by providing a bounty for their enlistment. Lincoln received the authority for a federal draft, but the number actually drafted into service was quite small, totalling only about two percent of the force. WWI brought on the first large scale conscription effort. The third draft was for WWII and it expired as the Law of the Land in 1947 after a total of 10 million men had been inducted. Draft number four was put into place in 1948 and covered the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and ended in December of 1972. The framework for a future draft is in place, but for now, the US operates with an all volunteer force.
