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

Question

My dad was drafted into the army and went to Vietnam. When he was alive and I asked him questions about what it was like being there, he would try to talk about it, but it was so emotional for him he would most times cry right in front of me. It made me feel so sad for him that he had to deal with combat. I feared waking him up from sleep because if i did, he would flip out because he always dreamed he was back in Veitnam fighting. Forth of July he always hated because the fireworks would set him off into a flashback. So, with knowing this would you ever even think of enrolling to fight for the freedom of this country when it means you, in the end, have no freedom left yourself?

I understand that people in the army and such do sometimes feel pride for serving there country, but when my dad came home from his tour he was spit on by the americans! how rude!

BTW, i can't talk to my dad anymore, he is dead kangnamsuperman.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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...

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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!

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

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

Answer 8

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

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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.