How many Americans ENLISTED in the Vietnam War (not drafted, ENLISTED)?

Question

Or, where I can find this information. I have tried a few websites, including Wikipedia and Google and Ask Geevs.

Answer 1

Of the over 9 million who served, only 25% were drafted (compared to 66% drafted in World War 2). That means that 75% actually enlisted.

http://www.capmarine.com/cap/statistics.htm

(Google rocks!)

Answer 2

You mean volunteered, not ENLISTED. Once you are in the military you are "Enlisted". Keep in mind also, many joined the military before the Vietnam war, and were sent over; not drafted. I know an Army nurse that was not ordered to Vietnam, but volunteered to go. There were also, Red Cross, Donut Dollies, lots of people volunteered. So maybe you might want to reword your question to say, "How many combat troops were in Vietnam? And how many were drafted, how many volunteered?"

Generally, when you are looking for statistics on military or war, you would go to a site such as the Department of Defense, and do a 'search'. National Archives also has some statistics but I have looked at them with regards to the Vietnam war, and they were off some. They get their statistics from various areas also. Such as, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Department of Defense, and the various branch sites of the military; such as, the Department of the Army, etc. I don't know if you will be able to locate this information without contacting one of these or multiple, government agencies. Usually they are very willing to assist and will refer you to agencies that they know has some or a lot of the information. I will put a few links below for you to start. If you get specific, factual and documented information, please let us know. Good luck!

Answer 3

My brother voluteered and took a 3 year enlistment in order to avoid being drafted into the infantry. He figured his draft number was coming up, and draftees got 2 years in the Army Infantry... So he volunteered... and became an Air Traffic Controller. After Viet Nam he worked for the FAA... from which he retired last year, having full credit for his service in the Army... Not a bad deal, really.

Answer 4

The figures of those who "volunteered" might be a little skewed. When someone eligible for a commission was drafted, they were given an option of a two year enlisted commission, or a longer term (not sure, four years maybe) as an officer. They were probably considered "volunteers" either way, as they made a choice.

Answer 5

I enlisted in the Marines in 1970, while in boot camp I got my draft letter for the army.
I served Army personnel and Marines in Viet Nam from 1972 - 1974.and only a few were drafted.

Answer 6

Generally speaking..if they were drafted, they went Army. the other branches were volunteers.

In fact many people joined the Navy to avoid being drafted.

Answer 7

Go to www.vietnam-war.info/myths/
lots of very good info that most of the brainwashed people don't know.
2/3 of all who served in Vietnam were volunteers.

Answer 8

I vollenteered for the draft.
Yes, you can, I did do that.

Most thought --and got--3 years if they volenteered.
2 years--drafted.
Your serial # began with "RA" (reg army) if vollenteer/
............................................"US" (?) IF DRAFTED

i was RA. (AS IF IT MADE A DIFF)
In fact it did! In basic training one Morn---this drill instructor said "all RA'S TO THE FRONT OF THE chow line" WE Moved up and he said---"if they told you get special treatment for being a RA---YOU JUST GOT IT!" lol

All 2 year enlisted were 11B's "infantry".