How was it for the 1970s Army Recruits to be taught by Vietnam Vets?

2019-10-11T23:08:14-04:00

I recently found out, My uncle my moms brother, joined the Army 1979 18 years old based on advice from my father Army 1968-70 11 LIB. My uncle only recently been telling me the stories of his seargents and officers all Vietnam Vets. He well got medically rolled honorably 1 year into service, and never processed it or talked about it or trusted anyone cared until he talked to me 2018, after a life of well a black sheep in the family, as I knew him to be told by other family members, and me I am sure talked about by other family member the crazy one. Well know I know.

I got my uncle into the VA 2019 San Diego for the first time ever in his life and he had a fit, the metal security checkpoint, at the security gate, asking proudly the veterans running the security gate about the recent deployments he sees on tv, god bless him, on pain pills, and well, i got to get him back to his second appointment and can use any advice..

Peace

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 12 at 2019 6:10 AM

2019-10-12T06:10:42-04:00

I had two Drill instructors the had been over, they taught what was in our manuals and then some.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Oct 12 at 2019 7:18 AM

2019-10-12T07:18:40-04:00

My first active duty unit was B Co, 121st Signal Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. My First Sergeant was a Marine Vietnam veteran, he was the best First Sergeant I ever had. I also worked with another Marine Vietnam veteran in my platoon who was also a good NCO.

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 12 at 2019 9:06 AM

2019-10-12T09:06:53-04:00

As a shiny new infantry 2ndLt, the SNCO's and field grade officers in my first rifle battalion were Vietnam Vets. My platoon sergeant had one tour in Vietnam and a Bronze Star with a combat V, the company GySgt, and the 1stSgt had multiple tours, multiple Purple Hearts and multiple citations for valor in combat.

They were always cool, calm, and deliberate, ESPECIALLY when someone screwed up. Which could be really unsettling sometimes. They had a lot of tolerance for errors of enthusiasm and ZERO tolerance for errors of intent, or lack of effort. If you really wanted your ass quietly served up to you on a platter, lack focus or effort during field training. The Company GySgt had a really severe set of scars on his thigh, ass, and lower back. When someone was not paying attention to what they were doing, he'd show his scars then in a real low growl he'd say "I got these because a a Marine lost his focus in the bush. He went home dead and in pieces. That isn't going to happen to you. Pay attention or you and I will be force marching Friday and Saturday night while your buddies are are drinking and chasing girls" and he meant it. You only got that warning from him once.

When Lieutenants and NCO's came up short on knowledge, the Company GySgt would get the appropriate TM or FM, and bring it to us. Then he'd get real close and say "I will not have you send one of these kids home dead or missing parts because you didn't know any better. Before you secure for the day, Read section _____. Then you and I will go over it. You can secure when I think you know what you are doing." Not to take anything away from the Company GySgt, but I'm absolutely positive now that he was suffering from PTSD and survivor's guilt, and suffering hard.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 12 at 2019 10:39 PM

2019-10-12T22:39:57-04:00

I thought it was great- they had lived and survived what they were teaching and you could tell it wasn't BS.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Oct 15 at 2019 9:21 PM

2019-10-15T21:21:46-04:00

I went in in January 1968. All the NCOs and Officers were combat veterans and all were professional Soldiers. Post Vietnam was a different army. Most of the Veterans were gone but there was still a degree of professionalism of leaders at all levels. The army at the time was a"keep them busy" with BS Inspections and monthly time in the field. No money for fuel and ammunition. Thank God Reagan saved the army.