'I Got Your Six—Maybe': A Drafted Versus Volunteer Bond, A Drafted Versus Volunteer Loss. (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferguson, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Journal of war & culture studies. Volume 11:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 166
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Vietnam War -- Iraq War -- trauma -- military -- draft -- all volunteer force -- male bonding; War and society -- Europe -- Periodicals; War and society -- Periodicals; War -- History -- Periodicals; War and civilization -- Europe -- Periodicals; War and civilization -- Periodicals; 303.6605
• DOI: 10.1080/17526272.2017.1416222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-6272

Abstract

Abstract : I argue that the bonds formed among drafted soldiers during the Vietnam War surpass the bonds of today's 'career soldiers' due to the Vietnam vets' dissimilar backgrounds, the nation's collective scorn for their service, and their lack of training. Today's servicemen and women enjoy common interests, national support, and intense preparation. However, these seemingly positive changes have prevented them from developing the connections needed to help them mentally navigate their tour of duty and their post-war reality. I use two Vietnam War novels, Larry Heinemann's Close Quarters and Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, as examples of men who had the most disadvantageous of circumstances yet formed the strongest of bonds. Conversely, I analyse Kevin Powers' Iraq War novel, The Yellow Birds, and discuss how the shaky relationship between Bartle and Murph proves that today's fighting men and women are ultimately disconnected from each other and therefore have no 'love stories' to tell.