How long did a West point graduate serve during the Vietnam War?

Answer 1

US Army Draftees served 2 years on ACTIVE Duty; 6 months in training, 12 month tours in Vietnam. With 6 months remaining in the Army, many were given 6 month EARLY OUTS. Thus serving only 18 months (1 1/2 years) in the Army. 6 month "early outs" were also given to men that applied to college, or served longer than 12 months in Vietnam. US Army 3 year RA's (Volunteer's for the REGULAR ARMY) normally got to choose their MOS (Military Occupational Speciality) for enlisting for the extra year. The 6 month "early out" also applied to them. Therefore, a 3 Year RA could do a 1 year tour in Vietnam, extend for 6 months, then when that was completed, extend for 6 more months (For the Army; after the 12 month mandatory tour, each extension tour was in SIX MONTH increments-so a US Soldier (NOT a US Marine, US Sailor or US Airman) who did 3 tours in Vietnam actually did TWO YEARS in Vietnam & not 3 years, as most people might believe. Consequently, if a 3 year RA soldier (US Army) did three tours in Vietnam, he could get an "early out" of the Army after 2 1/2 years of service (six month early out). US Marines, US Sailors, US Airmen, and US Coast Guardsmen may have functioned in a different system.

Answer 2

Eight years, with a minimum of five served on active duty. They may retire their commission after five, but will be placed in the Individual Ready Reserve for the next three, and subject to recall if needed.