Prodigal Soldiers: How the Generation of Officers Born of Vietnam Revolutionized the American Style of War

by James Kitfield

Documenting the transformation of the U.S. military from Vietnam to the Gulf War, a history of a generation of officers examines changing ideas about war, ending the draft, reducing racial tensions, and integrating women into the ranks.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Military History, Nonfiction, War

478 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1995

Reviews

[Joseph Stieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly readable and interesting account of the Army's transformation from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War. It's not a thesis driven book, but it gives you a personal sense of how Vietnam affected key figures in the evolution of Army doctrine, training, and ethos, including McCaffery, Horner, Powell, and others. Like most journalists, Kitfield bases the account on who he has the most access to, which means that this is not a very critical story. For example, he doesn't explore the downsides of the AVF, which were exposed in the War on Terror but probably visible before hand. He does a great job, however, giving the readers a vivid sense of the Army's crises in the 1970's, the resentment of mid-level Vietnam officers compelled to execute a brutal and failing strategy, how those lessons were transmitted into military doctrine and practice (such as unit rather than individual rotation or the changing of the reserve system), the impact of Goldwater Nichols, the advances in training such as Red Flag and the National Training Center, the development of modernized equipment, and the building of a much older, more educated, and more competent fighting force by the Gulf War. The actual account of the Gulf War is short and won't add much to most people's grasp of the event. It's really just the icing on the cake for the success of the military's post-Vietnam transformation.

This is a story of redemption, written at the peak of the military's prestige in the 1990's. It comes across as a little glossy and laudatory when you read it in the post-Iraq/Afghanistan era. The biggest question that doesn't get explored in this book is what the military will do in the post-Cold War era. This military was clearly built to do things like Desert Storm, but what about humanitarian intervention? Or regime change by invasion? Permanent containment of states like Iraq? Was this military more of a permanent police force or a crisis-strike force? It would have been interesting to hear a little more from the main characters in this book about how to deal with post-Soviet grand strategy. Nevertheless, this is an interesting and vivid read that military buffs, especially those interested in the Vietnam and Gulf Wars, will really enjoy.

[Lewis S Bartholomew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever wanted to know how the modern US military came to be, then read this book. There aren't many stones left unturned as Kitfield goes into details on: the creation of the All Volunteer Force, how we improved our training practices, recruiting, and much more. The stories of the leaders featured in the book are fascinating and will keep you engaged as their fates are intertwined in the decades from Vietnam to Desert Storm.

The most eye opening part for me was GEN Abrams putting such an emphasis on certain specialities only being in the National Guard and Reserve forces. His thought process being this would prevent the US from being drug into another Vietnam.

If you're currently serving you need to read this book.

[Brian Thorson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows the careers of officers from across each service from their time in Vietnam through the first Gulf War. The author explores the social aspects of US civil-military relationships, personal stories, recruitment and retention, and the iterative cycle of DOTMLPFP changes that ultimately led to a transformed force.

For current military and defense professionals, this book captures the changes required to transform for the next conflict. I was routinely surprised by the parallels between that time frame and the contemporary challenges the US DoD faces.

A phenomenal read, I strongly recommend this book.

[Brian Hollandsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an interesting assessment of the officers who helped rebuild the military following Vietnam. It provides excellent perspective and insight into how the Army we have today is the result of much, much uncertainty.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written inside story of the transformation of the U.S. military during the 1970s and 80s. The depth of research and reporting on characters and policies is stunning. Highly recommended.

[Fred Schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book of how the US military rebuilt itself after Vietnam that resulted in the overwhelming victory against Iraq in Desert Storm. The author focuses on the officers who served as junior and mid-level officers in Vietnam and how they were affected by that conflict. Through soul searching and hard work, coupled with congress force a joint aspect of warfighting onto the military, these officers lead the military to transform to be at the peak of capability in 1990-1.

This is a must read for those interested in the recent history of the US military. There were a few errors in the book, such as stating the US VII Corps defended the Fulda Gap, when it was the US V Corps that do so. Thus I did not give this five stars.

I do wonder though since the book was written in the mid-1990s, how the author would see things now after the US nearly failed in Iraq and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in Afghanistan.

[Michael Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional well-researched book detailing the transformation of the Armed Forces in the years following Vietnam until Operation Desert Storm. The Armed Forces had to deal with the same societal changes that occurred in the United States during this period. It is an exceptional book and should be required reading for any course in social history.

[Roxanne Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains the reforms made to the Military of the United States following the Vietnam war and how those improvements actualized in conflicts of the late 20th century. Even though the book jumped around, I found it very digestible and reader friendly. A great start to understanding the American military.

[Frank Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important book that recounts the rebuilding of the military from the ashes of Vietnam to Desert Storm as seen through several officers who served during this time.

[Heather Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to learn about the military transformation after Vietnam. It really brings the story to life through the experiences of individuals in each service.

[Genevieve]

A tough read, from a tough chapter of US military history, but there are so many truths and leadership lessons, it's an absolutely worthwhile read.

[Liquidlasagna]

liked by Stanley Karnow
Vietnam, A History

[John Sellars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitfield conveys an engaging multi-faceted narrative about how the United States and its "style of war" developed in the years following Vietnam. It is a long read, but it is well-written and organized.

[Levie Galapon · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start of Vietnam to the end of the Gulf War, the U.S. military, has undergone transformations in doctrine, training, and organization. Kitfield manages to narrate this transformation through the profiling of various officers who shared experiences during the Vietnam War. These experiences, would influence the way they viewed how the U.S. should fight its wars post-Vietnam. However, it should be argued that due to the case study between the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, the only considerable change is in training and organization.

In terms of doctrinal transformations, Kitfield pointed out that Army doctrine during the Vietnam War focused on massing overwhelming firepower on an enemy force (67). However, due to the difficult jungle terrain of Vietnam, small patrols would have to be used to "search and destroy" enemy units (70). It could be argued that this doctrine would give enemy forces the advantage to pick the "time and place" of battle (70). Because of this, the Army subsequently evolved its doctrine to regain the initiative. During the 80s, Army field manuals emphasised speed and technology (305). The only major difference between the two doctrines is the emphasis on speed to disorient and overcome the enemy. Technology has been an important factor during the Vietnam War considering the use of firepower.

A major transformation post-Vietnam were improvements to training programs. During the Vietnam War, Air Force fighter pilots would be given inefficient training. This would include, "air-to-air training" with similar aircraft and shortened training courses (76). Because of inefficient training, the quality of fighter pilots sent to Vietnam would degrade over time (79/162). Because of this experience, the Navy, Air Force, and Army would implement training programs designed to simulate actual combat. The Navy would develop Top Gun, the Air Force would develop Red Flag, and the Army would develop the National Training Center (162-163 & 306). It could be seen that these training programs paid high dividends during the Gulf War in minimizing casualties and ensuring a quick victory (414-415).

After the Vietnam War, major steps were taken to reorganizing the U.S. military. One of these steps was the move towards the policy of Total Force. This would reorganize the Army into a seventy percent reserve force and a thirty percent active force (150). This was force the president to gain the public support if the president was to go to war again (151). It could be seen that the policy of Total Force is designed to avoid the public backlash seen during the Vietnam War. Another major reorganization of the U.S. military would come through the Goldwater-Nichols legislation. The Goldwater-Nichols legislation would allow for better joint operations between the different military branches (358). This could be seen as stemming from the problems of joint-operations during Grenada and Vietnam where communication between the different branches led to difficulties (268 & 358). During the Gulf War, the Goldwater-Nichols legislation allowed for the air campaign to be unified under Chuck Horner. This allowed for smoother operations and arguments between the different branches (358-359).

Overall, the time period between the Vietnam War and the Gulf War saw many changes in the U.S. military. The major changes in transformation from organization and training is apparent in Kitfield's writing. However, what is not apparent is the transformation of doctrine. It should be argued that the Vietnam War and Gulf War are two entirely different wars. The Vietnam War was seen as an unconventional war fought with conventional tactics. However, the Gulf War was a conventional war fought with conventional tactics. Because of this, it is hard to see transformation in doctrine between the two wars. Advancement of technology aside, would the military that won the Gulf War also have won the Vietnam War?

[Frank Theising · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the subject matter to be extremely interesting and the narrative engaging. This book follows a handful of officers who served in Vietnam, and how they rebuilt the American Armed Forces in the decades that followed, culminating with the victory in Operation DESERT STORM. As a member of the all-volunteer military in the post 9-11 world where military service is respected, it is impossible for me to truly appreciate the effect that the Vietnam War had on American life, politics and culture in the 1960s and 70s. The military in particular suffered a number of challenges that often seem like they should have been insurmountable: rampant drug abuse, racial tensions, lack of popular support, and an utter inability to cooperate in any serious manner across service lines. Talented men like Colin Powell, Bill Creech, Chuck Horner, Barry McCaffrey and many others could have easily left military service for greener pastures but stuck it out and in so doing re-invented the modern American military. This book covers several aspects of the military’s rebirth including the transition to an all-volunteer force, the implementation of the Total Force concept which distributed mobility and logistics capabilities into the reserves, the Goldwater-Nichols DoD Reorganization Act, the standup of US Central Command, Reagan’s defense buildup, and the creation of realistic combat exercises and ranges (Red Flag, National Training Center). While I had a great appreciate for Goldwater-Nichols and the development of new weapons in Reagan’s build up (precision weapons, stealth aircraft, Abrams Tanks, etc), this book gave me a much greater appreciation of the historical challenges of moving to an all-volunteer Total Force. Serving today with motivated, educated, and talented Airmen, I never stopped to consider the challenges of moving to an all-volunteer force in the post-Vietnam era when military service was disparaged and recruiters could only fulfill their quotas by rounding up the poor and uneducated with no other prospects. Naturally, this had serious second order effects on good order and discipline. Likewise, the Total Force existed long before I entered the service so I took its origins for granted. The fact that the military pushed for and supported this move in part to force the President’s hands in future conflicts seems radical to me in our civilian-led military. LBJ never activated the reserves in Vietnam which produced a host of military and political problems. George Bush would never be given that option in Desert Storm. Mobility assets in reserve forces were essential to the operation in the Gulf. If he declared a national emergency, he could activate them for 180 days after which Congress had to approve the move. In doing this it would force a national debate and mobilization of popular will before America troops would be committed to another war like Vietnam. Just two of the larger lessons learned in this excellent book.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent modern history of the US military from the Vietnam War up until 1995 or so. The history is told through semi-biographies of officers who began their careers around the time of the Vietnam War and chose to stay in the military, despite all of the problems that were evident in Vietnam. The draft, which brought in sub-standard service members, was a disastrous way to build a military. Thankfully, a number of dedicated people stuck around to see the military made stronger. From the all-volunteer military, to the GI Bill, to the Reagan defense build=up, to the Goldwater-Nichols Act, to the Gulf War, highly motivated and intelligent men helped improve the military so that it could overwhelm the Iraqi forces in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

One of the officers who was featured quite prominently was Barry McCaffrey. I have come to appreciate his interesting analysis on television, but I never knew his life story. Though it didn't surprise me as I knew he retired as a general, but what an impressively courageous man he has been throughout his military career! What he went through in Vietnam is enough to amaze even the gutsiest American.

Another interesting aspect of the book was the coverage of contentious social issues that the military has had to deal with: race, women, and gays and lesbians. Kitfield pointed out the increasingly important role that blacks and women have played in the US Armed Forces.

Regrettably, we are left to wonder what happened since then, when our powerful military got sucked into a war in Iraq, starting in 2003 with no end in sight, without a plan to finish it. It's easy enough to point to Tommy Franks, Richard Myers, and others, but maybe there's a larger institutional story to tell about the debacle that is now Iraq. Hopefully Kitfield will tell that story too. He has a book out about Iraq, but since it was written a year or two ago, it can't possibly accommodate for all that has occurred since publication.

[James Teener · Rating 4 out of 5]

A study, primarily through the lives of an army and an air force general, of the dire effects of the Vietnam War on the United States Armed Forces, and of their revival during the 1980's and 1990's. It was of particular interest to me, an army brat and former army officer who spent much of that same time working the the Army Corps of Engineers building facilities supported by the massive amounts of money which, in large part, financed that revival. And while the money was important, the ideas and policies that those ideas engendered, made the money fairly well spent. The culmination, the proof, was the first Gulf War, which showed the US military to be, at that time, the ultimate conventional force on the planet. Unfortunately, time marches on, and I haven't seen what Mr Kitfield would think of the military as it has been used and misused since that time. It's a good read, not at all wonky, and the protagonists (if they can be so called in a work of history) are well described and personable. It would be good if the reader had some background on recent military history (1960 - 2000), as several events, while traumatic for the military, received very little long term notice in the press. I enjoyed the book.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently met Ret. Gen. Barry McCaffree (one of the soldiers featured in this book). So when he gave me a copy of this book with a personalized inscription, you can bet that I began reading it. So far it is pretty easy to follow and very interesting. The book does a good job of following a few soldiers lives, so it is easier reads more like a story. I'll write more after I finish....

OK, it has been one year and I have not been able to finish it. It was easy to read in comparison to other military, historical books, but I began dreaming about war and Vietnam. That is when I put it down to take a break and never did finish it. I'll keep it for a future possibility of finishing it.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in how the United States Armed Forces recalibrated its image after the Vietnam War, you should read Kitfield. Most of his analysis centers on the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force and how they redesigned their training programs for land and air warfare. He also spends a lot of time talking about how the U.S. Army transformed its Public Relations campaign for volunteers after the draft ended in 1973.

Great book and an accessible book for the educated reader and anyone interested in post-1945 American military history.

[Jack]

Interesting history of key commanders in Desert Storm, from their coming of age as young officers in Vietnam, through the low point and transform in the 1970s and early 1980s, to the triumph of Desert Storm.

What will the sequel say?



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