I served in the Vietnam era when the once proud American military was in a sad state of disarray. After years of left-wing antiwar propaganda sponsored by our homegrown media (Ho Chi Minh said that the American news media was the most powerful ally the North had in the war) the military was in disarray and servicemen were demonized beyond belief as "baby killers." Racial strife was rampant in the military, conscription filled the ranks with the unwilling and disaffected. Draft dodgers were lionized as principled heroes and choosing to serve when called upon by your country was considered dishonorable. The military seemed to be exhausted and its readiness was at a low ebb. Then in 1975 when the Congress violated our treaty obligations to South Vietnam and the country fell the public reaction was, "What did we waste 58,760 American lives for?" Of course the politicians did their usual sidestep and blamed the failure on the military.
This was the environment when I joined the Navy in 1976. Military service still carried a public stigma and many problems still persisted. Nevertheless, we did the best we could with what little Jimmy Carter allowed us. I was proud to be in the armed forces, those who looked down on us in the civilian world were the losers. The cold war was still very much alive and we all knew that if the balloon went up we were it! We felt equal to the task. What we lacked in public admiration was made up for in determination. We knew that what we were doing was important and vital. We had pride if little else.
Having said that I am incredibly impressed with the young people in our armed forces today. I am admittedly biased as I have a Daughter in the Navy and a Son in the Marine Corps, but the fact remains that today's all-volunteer armed forces are hands down superior to the military in which I served. They are better trained, better led, better armed, more intelligent and have a level of flexibility that allows them to function effectively in any type of warfare environment.
The military--like any institution--has evolved over time. I like to think that the mistakes that were made when I was in have resulted in changes to doctrine and training that have made today's military so impressive. In my opinion we are stronger than ever.
I would like to hear everyone's comparisons of then vs. now, reflections of foriegn veterans are very welcome as are the perspectives of those on active duty. Thanks.
This was the environment when I joined the Navy in 1976. Military service still carried a public stigma and many problems still persisted. Nevertheless, we did the best we could with what little Jimmy Carter allowed us. I was proud to be in the armed forces, those who looked down on us in the civilian world were the losers. The cold war was still very much alive and we all knew that if the balloon went up we were it! We felt equal to the task. What we lacked in public admiration was made up for in determination. We knew that what we were doing was important and vital. We had pride if little else.
Having said that I am incredibly impressed with the young people in our armed forces today. I am admittedly biased as I have a Daughter in the Navy and a Son in the Marine Corps, but the fact remains that today's all-volunteer armed forces are hands down superior to the military in which I served. They are better trained, better led, better armed, more intelligent and have a level of flexibility that allows them to function effectively in any type of warfare environment.
The military--like any institution--has evolved over time. I like to think that the mistakes that were made when I was in have resulted in changes to doctrine and training that have made today's military so impressive. In my opinion we are stronger than ever.
I would like to hear everyone's comparisons of then vs. now, reflections of foriegn veterans are very welcome as are the perspectives of those on active duty. Thanks.
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