The Vietnam War was a divisive and turbulent time in American history. Over 2.7 million Americans served in the war between 1964 and 1973. The experiences of these Vietnam veterans back home varied greatly depending on when they served, their role in the military, and how American society viewed the war over time.
What was it like for Vietnam vets returning home?
When American troops first began deploying to Vietnam in the early 1960s, there was still broad support for the war effort. Many of these early Vietnam vets were welcomed home as heroes and saw little discrimination. However, as the war dragged on and opposition grew back home, later Vietnam veterans faced increasing backlash and criticism from anti-war protestors.
By the late 1960s, the tide of public opinion had shifted against the war. Veterans returning home faced an anti-war climate of protest and condemnation. They were sometimes called “baby killers” and blamed for an unpopular war they had little choice but to fight in. This hostility and rejection added extra challenges to their homecoming and reintegration into society.
Key facts about treatment of Vietnam vets:
- Over 58,000 Americans died in the Vietnam War, while over 150,000 were wounded.
- Many Vietnam vets reported feeling alienated and discriminated against by anti-war protestors.
- Veterans organizations helped provide community and support for many vets.
- Most Vietnam vets were unable to discuss their experiences openly until years later.
- PTSD and trauma impacted many Vietnam vets’ ability to readjust to civilian life.
What were the common experiences and challenges?
Beyond the political and social turmoil, Vietnam veterans also faced significant readjustment issues and trauma:
PTSD and trauma
Many Vietnam veterans suffered silently from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of traumatic battlefield experiences. PTSD can cause flashbacks, emotional numbness, sleep disturbances, and hypervigilance. This made resuming normal life very difficult.
Physical wounds and disabilities
Thousands of Vietnam vets came home with significant physical disabilities and health issues from combat injuries and wartime chemical exposure. Paralysis, amputations, blindness, and long-term health issues made vocational and social reintegration a challenge.
Unemployment and homelessness
Finding work was difficult for Vietnam veterans, as employers worried about PTSD issues or heroin addiction rumors. By the early 1980s, over 500,000 Vietnam era veterans were unemployed. As a result, homelessness was a huge issue, with Vietnam vets making up a large percentage of the homeless population.
Heroin, drug use, and addiction
Drug use was widespread among troops in Vietnam due to the stress and trauma of war. Heroin was cheap and easily accessible. By 1971 it was estimated up to 20% of GIs were addicted to heroin. Addiction followed many veterans home and made their transition very difficult.
Isolation and alienation
The anti-war sentiment isolated many Vietnam vets from society and veteran networks. Their service was not honored or respected. This caused them to suppress their wartime experiences and memories and attempt to assimilate back into a society that had rejected them.
What medical and psychological problems did Vietnam veterans face?
In addition to visible physical wounds and disabilities, Vietnam veterans also faced many often unseen psychological wounds and trauma from their wartime experiences:
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder caused flashbacks, emotional numbness, anxiety, and traumatic memories. Nightmares, trouble sleeping, anger issues, and substance abuse often accompanied PTSD.
Survivor’s guilt
Those who lost friends and fellow unit members can struggle with guilt over surviving when others didn’t. This caused deep pain and depression for many.
Readjustment issues
The transition from combat to civilian life was jarring. Veterans struggled to relate to families and friends after facing the horrors of warfare overseas. Everyday life often felt dull and meaningless in comparison.
Depression
The trauma of war, grief over lost buddies, and survivor’s guilt led to struggles with depression. In the late 1970s, one study found one third of Vietnam vets suffered from depression.
Heroin and drug addiction
Cheap, pure heroin was widely available in Vietnam. Hundreds of thousands of GIs became addicted. For many, their addiction followed them home and made readjustment very difficult.
| Condition | Estimated Vietnam Vets Affected |
|---|---|
| PTSD | Over 500,000 |
| Depression | One third of all vets |
| Unemployment | Over 500,000 by early 1980s |
| Homelessness | Over 200,000 by late 1980s |
| Drug addiction | Up to 20% addicted to heroin |
| Incarceration | 39% of Vietnam era vets have been jailed |
What assistance and treatment programs were available?
In response to the challenges Vietnam veterans faced, the U.S. government and private organizations eventually provided the following resources and assistance programs:
Psychological treatment
The VA opened over 100 storefront Vet Centers by 1979 offering psychological help and PTSD counseling for Vietnam vets and their families.
Education and job training
The GI Bill provided education benefits to Vietnam era veterans including tuition assistance and vocational training programs.
Home loan guarantees
The VA home loan program helped make home ownership affordable for returning Vietnam vets through guaranteed low-interest mortgages with no down payment.
Healthcare
The VA health system offered medical and mental health treatment for wounded and disabled Vietnam veterans.
Veterans groups
Veterans service organizations like the VFW, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America provided community and advocacy for Vietnam veterans.
Substance abuse programs
Drug and alcohol abuse programs eventually became more available to assist Vietnam vets struggling with addiction issues.
However, many feel these support programs and resources came too little too late for the Vietnam vet generation. The VA was overwhelmed and unprepared for the influx of veterans needing assistance. The psychological toll and PTSD crisis among Vietnam vets was not fully recognized until years later.
How were Vietnam veterans viewed over time?
Public opinion and treatment of Vietnam vets greatly shifted over time from the war era to today:
During the Vietnam War era
- Increasingly viewed negatively as the war progressed.
- Called “baby killers” and faced protestor hostility.
- Seen as victims of an unpopular war vs. heroes.
- Often marginalized and discriminated against.
1970s and early 1980s
- High rates of unemployment, addiction, and homelessness.
- Psychological trauma and PTSD under-recognized.
- Veterans service organizations provided support.
- Vets pressured to assimilate and not discuss experiences.
Late 1980s to today
- Increasing recognition of PTSD crisis among vets.
- More veterans groups formed to honor service.
- Government assistance increased.
- Regarded with more sympathy as victims of unpopular war.
It took nearly 20 years for the struggles of Vietnam veterans to gain national recognition and compassion. Today most view them with regret and respect for fulfilling an unpopular duty.
What were some notable challenges and issues Vietnam veterans faced?
Vietnam veterans faced a wide range of difficulties transitioning back into society:
Unemployment
Finding stable work was very difficult for Vietnam vets due to PTSD issues and employer concerns over problems like addiction or mental health. By 1983, over 500,000 veterans were unemployed and struggling to provide for families.
Homelessness
With limited work and mounting problems, homelessness became rampant among the Vietnam vet population in the 1970s and 80s. By 1986, over 200,000 veterans were homeless at one point or another.
Incarceration
Legal troubles and imprisonment affected a large number of Vietnam vets. One study in the late 1980s estimated that 39% of Vietnam era veterans had been jailed at least once in the 15 years since discharge.
Divorce and family issues
The difficulty adjusting to civilian life took a toll on family connections. The PTSD, anger, addiction, and relationship issues resulted in extremely high divorce rates among Vietnam vet families.
Suicide and mental health crises
The trauma and PTSD caused mental health struggles for many Vietnam vets. From 1965-1988 it’s estimated over 100,000 Vietnam veterans committed suicide as they wrestled with PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and readjustment.
How did later generations of veterans benefit?
The challenges Vietnam veterans faced led to significant changes in military discharge process and VA programs which benefited veterans of later wars such as the Gulf War and Iraq/Afghanistan Wars:
- The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) was created to help smooth the shift from military to civilian life through classes on health benefits, money management, and job search skills.
- VA PTSD screening became more prevalent to proactively identify vets struggling with PTSD.
- VA Vet Centers expanded to provide community-based counseling for veterans and families.
- The GI bill was improved with increased education benefits.
- Public awareness campaigns reduced stigma around mental health issues for veterans.
- Veterans service organizations grew stronger to provide support networks.
While still imperfect, these initiatives represented important progress in properly welcoming veterans home and supporting their transition.
Conclusion
The experience of the Vietnam veteran generation represents both triumphs and tragedies. Their struggles with lack of national support, PTSD recognition, homelessness, and unemployment highlight America’s failure to properly reintegrate over 2.7 million war veterans. However, out of their challenges later veterans gained improved assistance, transition programs, mental health awareness, and community support networks. The Vietnam generation sacrificed deeply through their military service and then again through bearing the brunt of an unpopular war sentiment. Their compelling legacy merits both compassion and vigilance in caring for all future veterans.