32. Morale Drops

During the Vietnam War, domestic support for military involvement waned dramatically, evidenced by a drastic decline in ROTC enrollment, from 200,000 participants in 1966 to just 30,000 by 1974. This significant drop hindered the U.S.’s ability to replenish its officer ranks, further exacerbating the challenges faced in Vietnam.

On the ground, troop morale plummeted; instances of soldiers refusing orders, avoiding patrols, or altering their routes to evade enemy contact became common. Escalating drug use, with up to 45% turning to them for solace. Problems with leadership led to the alarming practice of “fragging,” where grenades were used to target officers deemed too aggressive, with as many as 900 such incidents reported between 1969 and 1971.