Going off topic a bit now, but for a 30 year old like me, it's hard to reconcile a couple of blokes who regularly post on the footy forum I post on, celebrating the fact that they avoided conscription. It doesn't seem like the same world. Obviously I know it happened, but I still struggle to imagine an Australia where people my age and younger are being ordered to go to war - and what a relief it must have been for those who were exempted.

I echo these sentiments.

I had no idea Carroll's father was a tunnel rat until now, but I'd say it explains quite a lot.

That's not to say it excuses it, but damn...

Some people have real problems.

There was a show on ABC last week-more than 20per cent of soldiers will struggle with booze,depression,violence etc upon return to Australia.

amazed that it is only 20% to be honest

I echo these sentiments.

I had no idea Carroll's father was a tunnel rat until now, but I'd say it explains quite a lot.

That's not to say it excuses it, but damn...

Some people have real problems.

What compounds it for me is that I don't even really know anyone personally who was affected. My father had not yet become an Australian citizen, my uncles were too young and most of the other people I know from that generation managed to avoid it. I count myself lucky to be so sheltered, but I'm glad I haven't chosen the path of ignorance like a couple in this thread have.

You can't work out how a man who "would fly in to wild rages at the drop of the hat" and "shake, break into clammy sweats, hit the booze and go off on his own for months on end" might have a severe negative impact on his children?

oh didnt know it was a different article. thought it was the original posted. play on.

Mental case.

I remember hearing his father was a Vietnam vet so it's not a great shock.

Living in Bali wouldn't help.

I currently live in Bali Biffo. What are you getting at ????

I currently live in Bali Biffo. What are you getting at ????

Sorry to hear that Left Field!

Hope you are away from the rabble!!!

(If Possible)

Yes it was, and a large percentage of those that served there were conscripts who didn't want to go in the Army, and certainly didn't want to go to Vietnam. I missed out on the draft and vividly recall the day, I got both my tax return and letter advising me I'd been exempted the same day so it was a double celebration.

Stupid bloody war.

Some of us weren't so lucky Rob

And there is nothing wrong with Bali if you know the places to go.

I'll retire back to my cave now..

And there is nothing wrong with Bali if you know the places to go.

I'll retire back to my cave now..

No please don't

I understand and have a Balinese son in law.

Lovely guy.

And to the others, most of the people on this earth live in third world countries.

You have no choice in where you were born.

A little empathy for others would go a long way.

Some of us weren't so lucky Rob

I know a number Bossdog

Hope you are ok with it now!

the odds were a little under 8%

Between 1965 and December 1972 over 800,000 men registered for National Service. Some 63,000 were conscripted and over 19,000 served in Vietnam. Although registration was compulsory a process of selection by ballot determined who would be called up. Two ballots were conducted each year. The ballots selected several dates in the selected period and all males with corresponding birthdays were called up for national service. The ballot was conducted using a lottery barrel and marbles representing birthdays. The barrel and marbles are held in the National Office, Canberra, in series MP1357/63.

the odds were a little under 8%

When you read it now you wonder who actually came up with that system; usually when your number gets drawn out of a barrel you head off to celebrate.

Imagine if they tried to do it now.

What compounds it for me is that I don't even really know anyone personally who was affected. My father had not yet become an Australian citizen, my uncles were too young and most of the other people I know from that generation managed to avoid it. I count myself lucky to be so sheltered, but I'm glad I haven't chosen the path of ignorance like a couple in this thread have.

The staggering part for me now Nasher is you have to be in the 60+ age group to have been or been eligible for the draft. ( it seems like a decade ago )

No words that I can use describe the period.

It was very unequal, if your number came up you got drafted and if it didn't you went about your normal life.

I have a number of friend / Acquaintances that went to Vietnam.

I can safely say no one I now came back the same as when they went.

Some worse than others but all changed to some degree.

Edited December 2, 201311 yr by old dee

When you read it now you wonder who actually came up with that system; usually when your number gets drawn out of a barrel you head off to celebrate.

Imagine if they tried to do it now.

I have thought lots about that over the last ten years following wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hard to believe that today's society would march in the streets but perhaps I under estimate them.

Have you ever met Mr Carrol. Bit of a wide generalisation I would have thought.

I actually have, he's a proud Father, had a great chat with him about his boys, Nathan especially and the MFC,

Having been to vietnam last year and seen the tunnels outside of Saigon i have immense respect for anyone who had to go down there.

The soldiers didn't have a chance. They were sitting targets.

No one who came back from there could be the same apart from their name.

It's fairly common-which is why I jumped to that conclusion.

Thank you Nasher for posting that.

There was a show on ABC last week-more than 20per cent of soldiers will struggle with booze,depression,violence etc upon return to Australia.

They are coming back from Afghanistan mentally ruined.Somalia,Iraq Bosnia etc is no different.

Many will sucide-some will damage their families for years before they get help.

It's a shame the Vets aren't better resourced.

Hogans Heros-The only answer I can think of is that Redgum was playing in the Carroll household. "Only 19" and "I've been to Bali too".

Just a guess.

Its not just the Viet vets suffering.

I attended an anger management course many years back, & kept going for 5 to 6 years; it was a great place for growth & camaraderie & learning & helping others.

at one time we had a returned serviceman who served in the peace keeping, I think it was Somalia. the guy was struggling & his family life was a mess, & he couldn't maintain any of his relationships. anger issues & emotionally tormented.

there are no winners from War.

I know a number Bossdog

Hope you are ok with it now!

Thanks OD but I'm fine....It seams like a lifetime ago.....The only thing that really s***'s me is when footballers are called soldiers and are said to go to war each week.....It's only a game of footy....

Thanks OD but I'm fine....It seams like a lifetime ago.....The only thing that really s***'s me is when footballers are called soldiers and are said to go to war each week.....It's only a game of footy....

The big one for me is they are "Heroes"

No they are well paid sportsmen.

I have thought lots about that over the last ten years following wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hard to believe that today's society would march in the streets but perhaps I under estimate them.

they will IF the reasons are there to Unify them.

the Irish lass murdered in Coburg being one.

the war was eventually stopped because the Mothers started to Join in with the Hippy's & Uni students, to march against the War, after years of bloody protest marches. When the mainstream mothers & grandparents joined the protest, the Poli's quickly stopped the stupidity & brought our boys home.

& every aussie male from the age of 13Yrs breathed a Sye of relief after dreading coming of army age.

they will IF the reasons are there to Unify them.

the Irish lass murdered in Coburg being one.

the war was eventually stopped because the Mothers started to Join in with the Hippy's & Uni students, to march against the War, after years of bloody protest marches. When the mainstream mothers & grandparents joined the protest, the Poli's quickly stopped the stupidity & brought our boys home.

& every aussie male from the age of 13Yrs breathed a Sye of relief after dreading coming of army age.

All correct dee-luded but it did take a change of Government as well.

Its not just the Viet vets suffering.

I attended an anger management course many years back, & kept going for 5 to 6 years; it was a great place for growth & camaraderie & learning & helping others.

at one time we had a returned serviceman who served in the peace keeping, I think it was Somalia. the guy was struggling & his family life was a mess, & he couldn't maintain any of his relationships. anger issues & emotionally tormented.

there are no winners from War.

Just Governments and the economy....War is good for business......I'll shut up now...

All correct dee-luded but it did take a change of Government as well.

if i remember correctly it was bipartisan and decided before whitlam came into power

a friend of mine was at holsworthy and the next day labor said any nasho (not nasher) could leave immediately but get no benefits

he went straight away and as he checked out and handed his kit over the regular said "now fugg off ya wimp"

I returned to Vietnam in 2005 on a cruise.....Hovercraft up the Mekong Delta....It's still a [censored] hole and the war is called the "American war" over there....I really don't like the Asian Countries but I still go to Bali every year....Go figure....

I returned to Vietnam in 2005 on a cruise.....Hovercraft up the Mekong Delta....It's still a [censored] hole and the war is called the "American war" over there....I really don't like the Asian Countries but I still go to Bali every year....Go figure....

Humans are complex creatures Bossdog