13 Effects of Technological Advances in the Military on Baby Boomer Generation
13 Effects of Technological Advances in the Military on Baby Boomer Generation
Sam Flagler
13.1 Introduction
Key Words
- Vietnam War – a conflict in Vietnam initiated by the Northern Vietnamese against the southern Vietnamese government in an attempt to spread communist control.
- The Huey – Full name Bell UH-1 Iroquois, was the first turbine-powered helicopter used by the United States military.
- F-100 Super Sabre plane – Jet plane with unprecedented speed used in Vietnam War; first fighter to hold supersonic speed in flight.
- Claymore mine – electronically fired land mine exploded in a chosen direction used heavily in the Vietnam War.
- TOW missile – “Tube-launched Optical-tracked Wire-guided.”
Learning Objectives
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By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
- Remember the technological advances in the United States military resulting from the Vietnam War.
- Recognize the effects of technological advances on the Baby Boomer generation.
Ten million Baby Boomers – over 40 percent of the males in the generation – fought in the Vietnam War, a conflict in Vietnam initiated by the Northern Vietnamese against the southern Vietnamese government in an attempt to spread communist control. Born 1946-1964, Baby Boomers were just teenagers or younger during the Vietnam War. So, war and military efforts were highly relevant topics for this generation. The Vietnam War began on November 1, 1955 and stretched until April 30, 1975. The United States military entered the war in August 1964. Therefore, the Vietnam War influenced many of the technological advances covered in this chapter.
The war provided a need to create new military vehicles, weapons, and equipment. These improvements to the military directly affected Baby Boomers who were serving by aiding their war efforts and protecting them from injury. More robust and more fuel-efficient armored tanks, faster aircraft with tighter maneuvering, and more protective equipment benefitted the soldiers. So, technological advances in these areas produced more safety for Baby Boomers at war and provided occupational gaps in production for those who stayed home to fill.
This chapter will discuss the role of Baby Boomers in the Vietnam War, and in turn, it will cover the effects of the Vietnam War on the Baby Boomer generation. We will touch on technological advances within the military and their role in changing the direction of the future of military technology. Overall, the Vietnam war caused technological growth in the realm of the military. A swift advance in military technology was evident during the 1960s and 1970s due to the Vietnam War’s effect on America. This boost in military growth altered the Baby Boomer generation positively.
13.2 The Technologies: Military Vehicles and Weapons
Key Takeaways
Vehicles and weapons created to help American soldiers in Vietnam are the most impactful advances for Baby Boomers in the sphere of military technological advances. The United States was severely disa