Liz Forman and Bob Forman

BF explains that when the Vietnam War was happening, the government enacted a draft. When he was finishing college and had to decide whether or not to go to grad school or the military, he went to go visit a recruiter. He decided to join the Army intending to go to officer candidate school.

BF talks about how being around the people he was with during basic was like being in a melting pot. He also remembers that some of the kids were very funny.

BF says that he shipped off in July 1968 with the platoon he was leading to Vietnam. He says he got to know the members of his platoon pretty well.

BF remembers that it was mostly hours of boredom with moments of excitement, saying that his platoon was often sniped at night. He also explains that things changed based on what was happening in the war.

BF talks about the landscape of Vietnam and explains that he was not in an area where there were a lot of people, but that the people he did encounter were very nice.

BF says that he left Vietnam in July of 1969, from Danang and flew home to Long Beach. He explains he had 2 weeks before he had to report back to Fort Lewis.

BF says that he realized after his service that there is nothing he can’t handle. He also talks about the importance of the friendships that he made while he was there.

BF said that he did not have PTSD, but when he first arrived he had nightmares about being back in Vietnam. He says he was very exposed to Agent Orange.

BF talks about some of the important leadership lessons he learned and carried on to his career later on.

BF says he would still make the same decision as a 21 year old to join the army.