What did the declassified documents reveal?

A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam, Volume VII: The Soldier. Released by The Black Vault, this document is a part of a comprehensive eight-volume study on the US experience in Vietnam, undertaken by the BDM Corporation under contract to the US Army. The study was initially classified, but in December 1980, the Army War College Security Office notified recipients that it contained classified information and should be secured. BDM has since revised the study to delete all classified information and conform to clearance review requirements. The document begins with a foreword, stating that the study is a final draft submitted to DAMO-SSP in accordance with the provisions of Contract No. DAAG 39-78-C-0120. The task is to identify and analyze lessons that should be learned from three decades of US involvement in Vietnam. The BDM Corporation's foreword explains that the study is not a retelling of the Vietnam conflict, but rather a drawing of lessons and insights of value to present and future US policy makers, both civilian and military. The study's focus is primarily military in orientation. The preface to Volume VII, The Soldier, describes the purpose of this volume as to describe in what way US strategy during the Vietnam period was shaped or affected by the character of the American soldier and the characteristics of the American military system. The volume examines the socio-economic background of the soldier and the personnel policies at the national level that impacted on the conduct of the war. The methodology and purpose of Volume VII are outlined in detail. The study evaluates the selective service system, the presidential refusal to mobilize the Reserve Component, and Project 100,000, among other factors. Training and indoctrination are analyzed, and the volume shows that the services were far too slow in recognizing and adjusting to outside influences. The study also examines the impact of racial tensions on the morale and discipline of the troops, as well as the impact of drug abuse, including alcohol abuse. The volume draws comparisons between psychological problems that surfaced in past conflicts and those encountered by the US soldier during the Vietnam war. A historical-chronological overview of Volume VII is provided in the form of a timeline, showing selected events that are particularly relevant to this volume. [Full document available at https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/vietnam/ADA096431.pdf] This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Storyflo.com.

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.

Case · DAILY-015

A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam, Vol. VII: The Soldier

JUL 6 · 2026Narrated by daily-declassified-a-study-of-strategic-lessons-learned-in-vietnam-vol-vii-th3 minLast updated July 6, 2026

The short version

A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam, Volume VII: The Soldier. Released by The Black Vault, this document is a part of a comprehensive eight-volume study on the US experience in Vietnam, undertaken by the BDM Corporation under contract to the US Army.

Date: JUL 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)

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What was A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam, Vol. VII: The Soldier about?: A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam, Volume VII: The Soldier. Released by The Black Vault, this document is a part of a comprehensive eight-volume study on the US experience in Vietnam, undertaken by the BDM Corporation under contract to the US Army.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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