Appy argues that Vietnam was a working class war because the conflict disproportionately impacted poor people. Appy states, “Roughly 80 percent came from working-class and poor backgrounds. Vietnam… was a working-class war.” The conflicted funneled in men from working-class jobs especially because their peers typically went to college and were then exempt from the draft. This meant that men, like article mentioned Dan, noticed that in nicer suburbs there were rarity in wartime casualties compared to working class neighborhoods. This emphasizes the divide between rich and poor and their enlistment in the war.
DeGroot explains how combat can spur morale because winning a war triggers the survival instincts in the mind to not focus on anxiety that one may be feeling. However, conditions in Vietnam were dreadful which prevented that total separation. The war was lasted longer and longer with continuously mounting casualties. DeGroot describes how drugs infiltrated the base camp as Americans denied to “beat the game.” Disasters like in the village of My Lai were horrific and caused further backlash against the war. These awful conditions caused infantries and squads to become like family. DeGroot states, “Your family was your squad and that’s the one you look after.”
There is still a class divide especially when looking at officer classes. Lower income, minority groups tend to make up higher percentages of enlisted recruits whereas officers tend to be better educated and have more financial backing. A lot of this is a mixture of social capital as well as the path to commission as an officer is not always well understood unless the solider already knows an officer. Even programs like Officer Candidate School, a program that allows enlistees who don’t complete ROTC to still commission, requires an individual to know a congressman to vet for their placement in the school. Again, these types of social connections are more common amongst higher class individuals. The military has attempted to lessen this class divide but it’s still prevalent in who has leadership roles.
Will Wright 
Hi,
I really liked your analysis of the social demographics of the soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War. You kept your analysis short and concise, indicating that the war was fought predominantly by the working class due to a multitude of reasons e.g. the segregation of the working class and middle + upper class based on the where they lived. Furthermore, I also really liked how you indicated that in today’s day and age, possessing a certain level of social capital can help you succeed in the army. Lastly, you stated that the military has attempted to lessen the class divide which exists in the army, I think stating exactly how the army has tried to lessen the class divide would have fortified your argument even more.
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Great post, Kaitlyn!
I really liked your observations about the class divide in the military today, as I am very unfamiliar with it. Additionally, your mention of the Officer Candidate school, and how applicants to the school have to know a congressman, is interesting. In South Dakota, that requirement would not pose as much of a problem. It is fairly easy to research who your legislators are and call or email them. Because our legislatures represent a very limited number of people, chances are they would gladly respond. However, in more populous states where legislators represent more people, that requirement would definitely get more difficult and one’s success would likely be more dependent on who you know. I wonder if this is a case wherein being from a rural state may actually be advantageous, or if I am being too optimistic about the kindness of our legislators?
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