The Vietnam War: The Impact on American Soldiers

The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, was a prolonged conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975. It was a Cold War-era proxy war that was fought between the communist government of North Vietnam and the government of South Vietnam, which was supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations. The war resulted in the deaths of over 58,000 American soldiers and countless Vietnamese civilians.

One of the most significant impacts of the Vietnam War was the treatment of American soldiers upon their return home. Many soldiers faced discrimination, hostility, and a lack of support from their own government and society. This mistreatment was a result of the divisive nature of the war, which was deeply unpopular among the American public.

According to a study by the Veterans Affairs Department, over 2.7 million American soldiers served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975. Of these, over 500,000 were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and over 150,000 were diagnosed with depression. These mental health issues were a direct result of the traumatic experiences that soldiers faced during the war.

The Vietnam War was also the first war in which soldiers were drafted rather than volunteered to fight. This meant that many soldiers were not emotionally or mentally prepared for the horrors of war. As a result, many soldiers returned home with severe mental health issues, including PTSD and depression.

Upon returning home, many soldiers were met with a lack of support from the government and society. The government did not provide adequate resources or support for soldiers suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues. Many soldiers were left to cope with their trauma on their own, without any professional help.

Society was also unsupportive of soldiers returning home from Vietnam. Many Americans opposed the war and viewed soldiers as "baby killers" and "war criminals." This hostility and discrimination made it difficult for soldiers to reintegrate into society and find employment.

According to a study by the Veterans Affairs Department, veterans of the Vietnam War had a higher rate of unemployment than the general population. In 1975, the unemployment rate for Vietnam veterans was 12.1%, compared to the national average of 7.5%. This was due to the negative perceptions of Vietnam veterans and the lack of support for those suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues.