Vietnam War Soldiers

Christian Appy describes the Vietnam War as a “working-class war” because most of the soldiers came from poor or working-class families. The draft system made it easier for rich people to avoid fighting by going to college or finding other ways out. Many of the soldiers who fought were from blue-collar backgrounds, and a large number were African American or Latino. These groups often had fewer job opportunities and saw the military as a way to build a better future. However, serving in the war was very dangerous, and many soldiers did not get the benefits they expected after returning home. Appy argues that economic status played a big role in determining who went to war and who stayed safe at home.

By the late 1960s, many U.S. soldiers in Vietnam were feeling hopeless and unmotivated. Gerard DeGroot explains that one big reason for this was that the war seemed impossible to win. The U.S. army would fight hard to capture land, only to abandon it later, making the effort feel pointless. The enemy used guerrilla warfare tactics that frustrated American soldiers, and the draft brought in many people who did not want to be there. On top of that, many people back home in the U.S. were against the war, making soldiers feel even more isolated. This frustration led to problems within the military. Racial tensions between black and white soldiers were high, especially since black soldiers were dying at higher rates and often faced unfair treatment. Many soldiers started using drugs, refusing to follow orders, or even attacking their officers in acts of rebellion. The low morale made it difficult for soldiers to trust each other and work as a team.

Today, I think that there is still a class divide in the U.S. military, but it looks different than it did during Vietnam. Since there is no draft, people now join voluntarily. However, many recruits still come from lower-income families. The military is often seen as a way to get a good-paying job, healthcare, and college education, especially for those who may not have other options. Many high school students who aren’t as successful in school as others will end up joining the military because it offers them a career that they don’t have to complete any more formal education for. Also, sometimes recruiters tend to focus on poorer areas, offering benefits that attract people who are struggling financially. In addition, I think that many times joining the military is something that runs through a family. Therefore, families that were lower class and were pressured to join the military during the Vietnam War might still be lower class and more likely to join the military because so many people in their family have also done so. On the other hand, people from wealthier backgrounds have more opportunities in education and jobs, so they are less likely to join. In some ways, this is similar to Vietnam, because the people who serve and fight in wars often come from disadvantaged backgrounds. While the military does help some people build successful careers, the reality is that war still affects certain groups more than others.