I know he was in the guards, but most soldiers where required to go over there. Why didn't he?
2006-09-07 14:54:17 · 23 answers · asked by tarro 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
In those days, the vast majority of the National Guard units were not sent to Viet Nam. That was the primary reason for many to join the Guard. Getting into the Guard was almost as difficult as getting an appointment to one of the service academies. If you had the right political pull, money, or influence, you got into the Guard. Rich boys did not have to go to Canada to avoid the Draft, they just joined the Guard.
2006-09-07 15:05:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Almost no National Guard units were activated for service in Vietnam. LBJs idea was to have a Guns & Butter war, and that idea included not activating the reserves.
Contrary to what many individuals have posted, the guard had nothing to do with having a rich daddy. In fact, many guard and reserve individuals did tours in Vietnam. About 10% of the KIAs were from the Reserves and National Guard.
The real reason GW Bush did not go to Vietnam is because he flew an obsolete plane. The reserve components are the last to upgrade their hardware. By the time of his service, the active forces had moved on to the F-106, which he was not qualified to fly.
And for the record, almost no soldiers were required to go there. About 25% of the tours served were draftees, the other 75% were volunteers and career soldiers. Even at its peek, there were only about 500,000 troops in Vietnam -- out of a military of over two million.
2006-09-07 15:54:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question that illustrates the main reason for keeping an all volunteer Army. Rich people didn't go to Vietnam unless they wanted to. That's the way the draft really works. People like Clinton and Bush found ways around it.
Remember that next time some moron suggests starting up a draft.
2006-09-07 16:03:50 · answer #3 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did not go. I served 20 years and never got there. Bill Clinton did not go. Most soldiers did not go. He was not a soldier but a pilot.
Lyndon Johnson never went to war. Franklin D. Roosevelt was never in uniform. John Wayne got out of military service by claiming he had too many children. Ted Kennedy did not go. Mel Gibson moved to Australia to avoid the draft. I am not a Bush supporter but I do not bash him every chance I get either.
2006-09-07 15:27:00 · answer #4 · answered by Jimfix 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To reiterate what some have already said here, the National Guard did not deploy to Vietnam. The draft was in existence and that defrayed the Guard's deployment.
I was in the U.S. Army for over 20 years and went to Vietnam while a senior NCO. The reason I didn't go earlier is because of assignments to the Dominican Republic in '65 and '66, and then to Germany. I also put two tours in Korea and a bunch of time dressed like a tree with the 82nd Airborne.
I have no problem whatsoever with our President not serving in Vietnam. He did his military obligation elsewhere and that is fine with me.
What sticks in my craw were the actions of Hanoi Jane Fonda and Bill Clinton's protests on foreign soil and in enemy territory. To me, that smacks of treason.
Added note: Obviously, the two negative votes were made by the lovers of Clinton-ites and the "Flourishing Fonda-ites."
2006-09-07 16:33:26 · answer #5 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you try to make an analogy the position there is none. Obama in no way served so that you could not evaluate with Bush's provider. He can purely evaluate no matter if or not they chosen to serve and which chosen is extra honorable. some imagine that's extra honorable to serve your usa by technique of fixing right into a member of the militia provider than no longer.
2016-11-06 21:07:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because his daddy was very rich. Not only did George not have to serve in Vietnam, he never took a drug test and went AWOL for six months without punishment. It's amazing what a lot of money and a big important family name can do for you.
2006-09-07 14:57:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
No, most soldiers weren't required to go over there. Not everyone jumped at the chance to go.
2006-09-07 15:06:49 · answer #8 · answered by yahoohoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most soldiers were not required to go to Nam.
A lot of them were in Korea, Germany, Japan, and other locations.
Even Stateside.
2006-09-07 14:58:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he went into the national guard along with tens of thousands of others. he learned to fly the F 106 which at the time was one of the most difficult aircraft to fly. The majority of national guard units were never sent into combat. It was an unpopular war and tens of thousands of men refused to serve, rant to the Coast or national gurad or headed for Canada. At least he didnt go to Russia like Clinton.
2006-09-07 15:19:12 · answer #10 · answered by Kevin P 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋