How U.S. Soldiers Have Changed Since Vietnam | Tim O'Brien | Big Think

TL;DR

A comparison of Vietnam War draftees' skepticism to modern soldiers' unwavering patriotism in carrying out their duties.

Transcript

one of the huge things of course is there's no draft and the people who are fighting are in the armed forces out of volition and their own will decisions and that's pretty huge it attracts a certain temperament that wasn't mine that kind of can do macho adventurous uh temperament and of course patriotism feeds in very strongly as well uh that's tha... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The absence of a draft in modern conflicts attracts volunteers with a different temperament.
• 🫱 Vietnam War draftees often felt reluctance and skepticism towards the war, contrary to modern soldiers' unwavering patriotism.
• 🫱 Modern wounded soldiers exhibit military sloganeering and show no doubt about their mission, a stark contrast to past war veterans.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the absence of a draft influence the temperament of soldiers in modern conflicts?

The lack of a draft means modern soldiers volunteer, attracting individuals with a can-do, patriotic attitude, as opposed to the skepticism seen in draftees from past wars.

Q: What differences in attitude towards the war can be observed between Vietnam War draftees and modern soldiers?

Vietnam War draftees often felt reluctance and skepticism towards the war, while modern soldiers exhibit unwavering patriotism and military sloganeering in their outlook.

Q: How do modern wounded soldiers' attitudes towards the war differ from Vietnam War veterans?

Modern wounded soldiers show no doubt or ambiguity about the war, using military slogans and displaying unwavering support, contrasting sharply with the skepticism of past veterans.

Q: How does the passing around of "The Things They Carried" book among soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan reflect on the changing perspectives on war?

The circulation of "The Things They Carried" among soldiers suggests a potential shift towards a more nuanced understanding of war, providing hope for a diversity of perspectives among servicemembers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The absence of a draft in current armed forces attracts a different temperament, with voluntary soldiers displaying a can-do, patriotic attitude.

• Vietnam War draftees often felt reluctance and skepticism towards the war, contrasting sharply with the unwavering patriotism displayed by modern soldiers.

• The shift in attitudes is evident through the lack of questioning or ambiguity among modern wounded soldiers, who speak in military slogans and show no doubt about their mission.