How did the US mobilize for the Vietnam war?

Answer 1

The US Military was already mobilized, that's what the cold war was all about...being ready!

Vietnam simply required a little adjustment in the doctrine, namely jungle training. Plus some new EXPERIMENTAL weapons, which had been on the drawing board, now they could go ahead and TEST them: AH-1 Cobra (helicopter gunship); vulcan gatling guns; the new mostly aluminum light tank M551 Sheridan; the new all aluminum M113 APC/ACAV; the new mostly aluminum M16 Jungle Rifle; and the new all aluminum Swift Boats (PCF).

Plus a few more new ideas: like Puff the Magic Dragon (aerial gunships that evolved into today's AC-130 Spectre gunships) and the new Airmobile Divisions. One example of which was depicted in the film "We Were Soldiers..." starring Mel Gibson.

Answer 2

The US did NOT want to fight in Asia nor did the US train to fight in Asia.

The US defense budget was for fighting in Europe; the US military trained/planned/and much preferred to fight in Europe.

All of the "European" bound jets, tanks, rifles, helmets, trucks, jeeps, artillery, missiles (LAWs, Air to Air, etc.) ultimately ended up being used in Vietnam. And it had always been that way from 1950 to 1975.

There was only two ways in which the US military ultimately prepared for Vietnam:

1. The creation of the Green Berets and the SEALS. Both existed before Vietnam, but their names changed and their missions became more realistic for Nam type of warfare.

2. Conventional troops (Regulars) simply received RVN training prior to deployment to SEA (Southeast Asia) and received RVN training in country upon arrival. The primary portion of the RVN training (RVN=Republic South Vietnam) was familarization with the Army's new jungle rifle; the M16. The M16 was ONLY issued to Vietnam bound troops. US Regulars stationed around the world during the war were issued the standard US rifle M14.