US Soldier Diary
Region: US
Sunday 13 September 2026 14:48:59 GMT
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gbed989 :
I joined the Army after high school. I graduated HS May of 1968; in basic Infantry training October of that year; arrived in Vietnam February 1969. I was 18 years old. I ended up in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Why did I join? Simple, to escape poverty. I knew, being black and considering my family poverty circumstances, my opportunities in life would be limited. If I made it out of Vietnam alive I would enjoy the benefits provided to veterans. That was the road I chose to escape. It worked out for me. I got a civil service job as a police officer, graduated college while working, moved through the ranks to become police chief. Best decision I ever made.
2026-09-13 23:32:53
77
older stage :
what about bone spurs i know someone who had that choice 5 times
2026-09-13 22:46:47
40
David :
I dont see anything that would put this guy in the coard category.
2026-09-13 21:17:55
25
Time & knowledge :
One guy I worked with years ago found the key to staying in the US during the Vietnam war. He joined the Coast Guard.
2026-09-13 20:26:51
26
C29B :
I went to collage...got deferred...graduated June 2 1970 was drafted June 24 1970...December 3 1970 I landed at DaNang
2026-09-13 18:05:58
19
RonKGay :
so I have to ask was the National Guard an option back then because my cousin did join the guard might've been before 66 though like 64
2026-09-13 19:59:45
2
Ministry for Misfits :
My dad got drafted by the army but decided to enlist in the air force
2026-09-13 22:28:05
7
General Phil Sheridan :
I went to college after high school. I had a deferment too. When my draft number came out, it was 363. I knew I wouldn’t be drafted, so I dropped my deferment and became 1-A, eligible for draft. I wasn’t picked for a year and a half and was now 1-H, not eligible for draft and finished college.
2026-09-14 04:24:21
2
MattyBoh#9 :
Unfortunately, the Vietnam war took a lot of young life, screwed up a lot of young life, and took people near and dear to us later in life… to any and all who served in Vietnam, Welcome Home!!!
2026-09-13 22:32:49
11
Aric Lewis :
I will never call anyone who avoided going to Vietnam a coward. I'm sure many were, but looking back to that period from today, they were smart for finding a way out of it. Joining the service or being drafted for Vietnam was not serving your country, it was serving greedy politicians who didn't care whether you lived or died
2026-09-14 00:00:38
20
Bruce Jones :
my dad joined the air force
2026-09-14 04:31:28
2
Michael Kindell292 :
Very interesting! I love these stories
2026-09-13 19:17:27
7
PepperoniPants :
Dad drafted into the Army and went to Korea. Uncle enlisted in the Marines and went to Vietnam.
2026-09-13 19:34:12
6
Rhonn :
Actually, there was a fifth choice. If you had a deferment of some sort, you worked some low level, entry-level job that led to nowhere and with longer hours and less pay, and if you had half a brain you went to college or to a trade school so you could get out of that grind. I chose college, that is, after working as, literally, a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker. I was also a delivery man, a fry cook, s mail clerk and ran my own lawn service at 19 years old. After enough of that bullshit, I went to college.
2026-09-14 07:24:45
2
Tommystarr :
Some guys drafted spent their tour in Hawaii, Germany, England or a lot of other countries. Not all draftees served in Nam.
2026-09-14 07:08:39
3
michaelclark533 :
my fathet ended up getting 4F in 1968 due to his eyesight only to be killed by a drunk driver in 1970. he was only 21
2026-09-13 23:18:47
7
Ciceroson :
In 1966…. joined in 63 I was in Nam in 66 at 20 years old. I won’t go into the details but I learned quickly left a killer of enemies 🇺🇸☠️
2026-09-13 17:00:40
11
Sailor4u :
Fellow wrestler after high school, well built guy..came back blind. Dave Coverman.
2026-09-15 05:19:44
2
Brian :
I would have burned my draft card
2026-09-13 23:10:59
1
Jack R Thompson Jr :
I joined in 64 I was 17 my parents singed for me I was in navy reserve for 2 years then after graduation I went active duty for 2 years including one year in Vietnam in danang then 2 years inactive and got out in 70 I was a seebee e3
2026-09-14 03:13:56
2
lalink1120 :
My brother got a deferment by going to work for NASA.
2026-09-14 02:23:39
3
user5281331384996 :
Dude was lying to you
2026-09-13 19:10:27
4
GenX67 :
My brother volunteered for the Army and was MIA/KIA.
2026-09-14 01:51:58
2
Milk…AT…Midnight91 :
My uncle did the same thing. He was a MP. Smart
2026-09-14 03:17:10
2
Bbrave :
Long ass story.
2026-09-13 23:30:19
2
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