Soldiers in revolt: The American military today

In this pioneering 1975 study David Cortright examines G.I. resistance during the Vietnam War. Most Americans know about the anti-war movement from television coverage of the massive marches and sit-ins yet few know the extent of resistance within the military itself. There are no videotapes of clashes between military police and G.I. protesters during the war's peak period nor is there footage of crew members demonstrating aboard such elite ships as the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk or even on blue-collar vessels such as the U.S.S. Nitro (a humorous and inspiring episode). Yet resistance in many instances proved doggedly disruptive and despite silencing efforts by the Pentagon and its media allies, the war's outcome was seriously affected by hundreds of courageous resisters in uniform, who, each in his own way, refused to support the murderous war. Cortright exhaustively documents developments from Fort Monmouth, N.J., to Camp Pendleton, Calif., plus the role of civilian supporters in facilitating the movement. Coverage of G.I. resistance in Vietnam is harder to document but instances of fragging and conscience-baring convocations such as Winter Soldier are objectively described, providing a good bird’s-eye view of what was going on behind the general cover-up. Cortright also is careful to point out those cultural factors which intensified resistance, including widespread racism for which black resisters bore the brunt. The length and breadth of resistance is meticulously set forth, along with some surprising enlistees were more likely to resist than draftees; the least educated were more likely to physically resist than the more educated. But most importantly, the research shows a rapidly disintegrating fighting force that belies apologist claims that the war was lost because it was fought "with one arm tied behind us". This is an excellent resource for those wondering what actually went on inside the military during a tumultuous period.