Excellent article, Brian! Of course the only thing the imperial US "learned" in VN was that a professional (essentially mercenary) military would be more reliable than one built by conscription. And that was the course the US set out upon under Nixon, as I was exiting the Army in 1971.
Right on comment, Greg. In those days, I remember the phrase, "All-Vol" for All-Volunteer Army. Nothing like that and "contractors" to divert public attention from what is going on.
The initial acronym under Nixon was "VOLAR" for Volunteer Army. I remember this stuff like it was yesterday. I actually got a little pay increase for my very last few months on Army payroll.
Excellent article, Brian! Of course the only thing the imperial US "learned" in VN was that a professional (essentially mercenary) military would be more reliable than one built by conscription. And that was the course the US set out upon under Nixon, as I was exiting the Army in 1971.
Right on comment, Greg. In those days, I remember the phrase, "All-Vol" for All-Volunteer Army. Nothing like that and "contractors" to divert public attention from what is going on.
The initial acronym under Nixon was "VOLAR" for Volunteer Army. I remember this stuff like it was yesterday. I actually got a little pay increase for my very last few months on Army payroll.