Would you enroll in the army if you knew how screwed up you would be after?

Glune

You've got an interesting question. I believe yes is my answer. Unlike you father I would not have been drafted so more accepting of what it really meant to be a soldier.
Before I continue i must say I chose not to be a soldier.
Must are only told of the glory and Honour it is to serve, it is an honourable way to serve your nation, but not the primary function.
To kill other people. I don't believe it is possible to come home undamaged if that is not accepted from the start.

My world

My grandfather was in the Army during WWII. After the war, he gave up hunting, and anything to do with weapons. That was a choice he made, and it helped him to deal with his ghosts.

I joined the Army when I was able to, and retired after 20 years of service.

My answer to your question is: YES. The Army did not screw me up, just as it didn't screw my grandfather up. The ACTION was what caused the damage to your father, not the Army. Everyone handles stress and challenge differently. While I am sorry that your father was there, and that it screwed him up, there were, and still are, numerous programs designed to help those individuals with combat stress.

You have my condolences.

Navy Brat

I Dont Care If I Live Or Not If I Was Drafted. Tha Point Is, I Fought For My Country And Defended It To The Fullest. It Shows Partiotism. Forget My Life. I'll Feel Better That I Know I Did Something To Save Others And Protect My Country!

the B, kid @sbcglobal.net

yes i was in Vietnam twice sorry for your dad some good man had a hard time --war not for every man the army teach you to hate
the enemy but you learn that he is jest another man he is fight for country and his way life to .one have to die one time the other die ever day for a long time you cant ask why --and you jest can!t look back.
you don't now who was right .-- you dad look back-.but only good man ask why he must have Ben a good man

It seems your dad suffered a lot of signs that you would see in the movies. For instance every sign you pointed out is stuff that happend in that movie 4th of July with Tom Cruise.....

Personally I dont think about what state I might be in after war. I just know that I have a job to do and I go over to do the best I can. After that what ever happens I will attend to. Medical research is a lot more advanced then it was back in Vietnam so there are a lot more ways for soldiers to seek help now days.

WitchTwo

Vietnam was unlike anything else, you can't compare military service in general to the experiences our soldiers went through in Vietnam. Iraq is not the same.........thank you for your fathers service, sorry they didn't know about post traumatic stress syndrome and such. Sorry that the liberal media stirred up a slew of fools and turned many in our nation against our hero's.

dewey2412

yes i would, and 70 percent of those that served in vietnam would do it again, even with the way things turned out and the way they were treated after they came home. My dad did three tours, came home a mental mess, refused to talk to me for years about the war and now only talks becasue he considers me an expert in the war. He says everytime he is proud he wetn and served his country, even with everyhting that happened.

Raptor

that is a difficult ques. to answer. I am 100% disabled ( PTSD ), quite symptomatic at times, divorced, alone, in pain most of the time, but I have to say, very proud to have been in the company of such men I served with in vietnam. we made a difference, and we still do.enlist ?of course I would. If not me, then who????? A soldier is a man who will do the things ordinary men cannot. look up the word "integrity".--- rat

doc_jhholliday

I probably would, they won't take me, I have asthma.

Well I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I have nothing but respect for the Vietnam Vets. They were treated badly. Your dad was drafted though. He didnt have a choice. My hubby has been in the active duty Army until this past April. He wasn't able to re-enlist. Now he is National Guard. And I totally understand where you are coming from. My hubby had to see a professional to deal with what he went through. Now the Army makes the soldiers get help for it. They didnt for your dad and others like him. And yes we would do it all over again. If we could have stayed in --We would have. Your dad didnt have a choice did he?? Well our soldiers now do have that choice.

This is a hard one to answer because the Vietnam War was such an ugly one. I have a friend who was in the 101st Airborne during the Vietnam War and although he saw alot of crap (including being shot in the head), he's a pretty squared-away guy. He spent 20 years as a police officer and is now a fire chief. The war affected people in many ways, and I'm sorry your father suffered as much as he did. May he be at peace now...

Proud Army Wife

YES!

Vanessa M

Well i don't know if i would enroll in the Army but i would indeed in the Air Force i grew up with it all my life. You have to be very brave to join the army these days and have ALOT of pride in your country. There is a chance you can die at any time. I love the Air Force because its more "protected" as you would say and well i like the fact knowing i am much safer so no i wouldn't join the army but i would defend our country in the AF

kangnamsuperman

You said your dad was drafted right. So he went not by choice. These days we are lucky that we have a choice not to go. Personally I wouldn't go but some people go and like it. I think it just depends on the person. Vietnam was also a much different war than we are fighting now. Someone I know was in Iraq and had to shoot someone at a check point. He still has a hard time with it today but he was just doing his job, fighting for freedom. Also I think army recruiters are very manipulative. I think you should ask for you dad's advice. He knows you and he knows the Army.

edwin v

if i'll join the military it would be to where the hawks are

freddy

hell naw

Wolfpacker

Sorry about your Dad. You said he was drafted, he did not chose nor did he decide he was emotional able to be a soldier. Our soldiers today make that choice & hopefully like my son did consider what they will see & hear. It sounds like your Dad was unable to deal with war, many are. God bless your family & our Military!

keith

dont know..joined up at 17 in 71...asked for the whole nine yards..vietnam..11d..look it up..but they taught me to be a man...so many bad things happened and when i came back at the ripe age of 20 i just sat there and got on with my life...i try to tell kids that it is not a video game and if they want to not be able to sleep at night because of nightmares and waking up on the floor,fighting,cursing..so be it.

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