Show notes
In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Vietnam War Veteran Mike, who shares a raw, unfiltered account of his journey from childhood in Detroit to the front lines of Vietnam.Mike opens up about volunteering for the draft, enduring brutal training conditions, and the shocking moment when war became real, just days after arriving in-country. As a Pathfinder, he was tasked with some of the most dangerous missions: rescuing downed pilots, navigating hostile terrain, and surviving situations where one mistake could cost lives. Chapters 1:15 – Growing up in Detroit & Volunteering for the draft6:45 – Boot camp & early Army experiences10:00 – What Vietnam was really like (expectations vs reality)13:30 – Brutal training at Camp Crockett18:45 – Becoming a Pathfinder22:00 – Arrival in Vietnam26:30 – Life at a Special Forces camp30:00 – First mission & being left behind34:30 – Combat realities & dangerous rescues40:00 – The psychological toll of war44:30 – Close calls, fear, and survival instincts48:00 – Malaria, illness, and daily hardships52:00 – R&R in Hong Kong & going AWOL56:30 – A shocking incident within his own unit1:00:00 – Reflections on war and responsibility
