The length of service for draftees during the Vietnam War varied, but it commonly lasted for one year. However, this could be extended due to individual circumstances or when troops were called up for additional service.
During the Vietnam War, the length of service for draftees varied, but it commonly lasted for one year. However, it is important to note that the duration could be extended due to individual circumstances or when troops were called up for additional service. While the one-year term was the standard, individuals could potentially serve longer depending on their circumstances and the needs of the military.
The Vietnam War was a contentious conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975. The United States became heavily involved in the war effort, deploying troops to support South Vietnam against North Vietnam and the Viet Cong insurgents. To meet the escalating demand for troops, the Selective Service System implemented the draft, which required young men to serve in the military.
The draft process was based on a lottery system where numbers were drawn to determine the order of induction. Those with lower numbers were more likely to be called up for service. Once drafted, individuals were typically required to serve for a minimum of two years, including training and active duty. However, the minimum duration for draftees during the Vietnam War was reduced to one year in 1969.
It is worth noting that the enlisted soldiers, commonly known as “grunts,” typically had shorter service durations compared to those in specialized roles such as pilots, medics, and other support personnel. The specialization and training required for these roles often extended their service beyond the standard duration.
Interestingly, there were various factors that could potentially result in an extension of service. Individual circumstances, such as job assignments or specific skills, could lead to an extension of duty. Additionally, as the war progressed and the needs of the military changed, the government implemented measures to retain soldiers for longer periods or call them back for extended tours of duty.
The experience of draftees in Vietnam varied greatly, and the duration of their service was just one aspect of their overall journey. As General William Westmoreland, the commander of U.S. troops in Vietnam, once stated, “I hope that at the end of the war, on the day the war ends, we shall read that intelligent, effective leadership adapted the forces under their command to the changing situations and conducted operations on the basis of sound judgment, experience, and familiarity with the ever-changing enemy.” This quote highlights the complexities and challenges faced by those serving in Vietnam and their need for adaptability in the face of a dynamic and ever-evolving conflict.
To provide a visual representation of the different durations of service during the Vietnam War, here’s a table showcasing the range of possibilities:
| Role/Assignment | Minimum Duration | Maximum Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Infantry/Soldiers (“Grunts”) | 1 year | 1-3 years |
| Specialized Roles (e.g., Medic) | 1 year | Varies |
| Pilots/Aircrew | 1 year | Varies |
| Support Personnel (e.g., Engineers) | 1 year | Varies |
This table provides a glimpse into the diverse service durations that draftees in Vietnam could experience based on their assigned roles and individual circumstances.
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Army tours of duty in Vietnam were 12 months for enlisted men and 6 months for officers. Special Forces personnel served 6-month Temporary Duty assignments. Marines and Navy Corpsmen were assigned 13-month tours of duty (mostly to show up the Army).
Draftees had to serve 2 years. Army enlistees had to serve 3 years. Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard service members had to serve 6 years. After the end of U.S. direct involvement in Vietnam, President Gerald Ford granted a conditional amnesty that required draft dodgers to be of service from 6 to 24 months.
Draftees had to serve 2 years, Army enlistees, 3; I believe Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were 6.
Although draft dodgers were still prosecuted after the end of U.S. direct involvement in Vietnam, in September 1974 President Gerald Ford granted a conditional amnesty that required them to be of service from 6 to 24 months.
Watch related video
The video explains that there is currently no active draft in the United States and it is unlikely to be reinstated soon. The draft was abolished in 1973, and military service is now voluntary. However, all men from 18 to 25 years old are required to register with the Selective Service System, with some exceptions. Consequences for refusing to register can include ineligibility for federal student aid or job opportunities, fines, and imprisonment. There is also the possibility of women being required to register in the future. Nonetheless, a draft would only be reinstated in the case of a national emergency, requiring Congress to pass legislation and the President to sign it. Given the current global tensions, the likelihood of another draft in the US is low.
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How long did US soldiers serve in Vietnam?
America’s direct eight-year intervention in the Vietnam War was at an end.
Did all draftees go to Vietnam during Vietnam War?
The response is: During the Vietnam War, about two-thirds of American troops volunteered, the rest were selected for military service through the draft. In the beginning of the war, names of all American men of draft-age were collected by the Selective Service System.
Was Vietnam draft mandatory?
Conscription in Vietnam has existed since 1975 and requires male citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 (18 to 27 for those who attend colleges or universities) to perform compulsory military service. Women are not required to perform military service, but they may voluntarily join the military.
What percentage of draftees went to Vietnam?
25%
VOLUNTEERS: 25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII).
How many people were drafted during the Vietnam War?
Answer to this: The November 1965 draft call was the largest since the Korean War. The military draft brought the war to the American home front. During the Vietnam War era, between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. military drafted 2.2 million American men out of an eligible pool of 27 million.
How long did you serve in Vietnam?
Response will be: If you were drafted during Vietnam, how long did you serve? If a 22 year old was drafted into the “US Army” in in March 1966 and served in Vietnam, it went something like this: -one year tour of duty in Vietnam (September 1966-September 1967.
How do I find out if I was drafted in Vietnam?
The answer is: To celebrate Ken Burns’ 2017 documentary, "The Vietnam War," PBS and USA Today created a Vietnam War Draft Lottery calculator. Simply enter your birth month and day to find out whether you would have been drafted for wartime service in Vietnam. Check Out USA Today’s Draft Number Calculator.
How long was field service in Vietnam?
As a response to this: Usually field service in Vietnam was one year. Although I served in the military during the Vietnam War I was shipped to the middle East and faced terrorist there at the time which proved to be just as deadly as getting into a fire fight on the ground in Vietnam.
How many people were drafted during the Vietnam War?
The response is: The November 1965 draft call was the largest since the Korean War. The military draft brought the war to the American home front. During the Vietnam War era, between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. military drafted 2.2 million American men out of an eligible pool of 27 million.
How do I find out if I was drafted in Vietnam?
To celebrate Ken Burns’ 2017 documentary, "The Vietnam War," PBS and USA Today created a Vietnam War Draft Lottery calculator. Simply enter your birth month and day to find out whether you would have been drafted for wartime service in Vietnam. Check Out USA Today’s Draft Number Calculator.
How long did you serve in Vietnam?
Answer: If you were drafted during Vietnam, how long did you serve? If a 22 year old was drafted into the “US Army” in in March 1966 and served in Vietnam, it went something like this: -one year tour of duty in Vietnam (September 1966-September 1967.
How long did draftees serve in the military?
Draftees served 24 months in the military (2 years). They didn’t have to go to Vietnam, they went everywhere; around the world in the US Navy; Europe; Alaska; South Korea, where ever US forces went, they were filled with draftees or DRAFT INDUCED volunteers.