Military Service was expected and respected. While there was some dread of personal freedom lost for the most part I looked forward to military service as a rite of passage and believe that was generally the case for many men of my era.
Coming of age in the 50's we believed The United States of America was the only nation that exemplified and defended freedom and justice. My father volunteered for World War I, eldest brother for World War II, next brother for the Korean War and I served in Vietnam.
People who have served in the military tend to be accepting of anyone self-motivated and skilled enough to do their fair share of the work without being baby sat. Race, religion and social status become unimportant. When a man or woman spends time in uniform, defending their nation, they become patriotic.
Willingness to serve suffered a blow in the 60s. It was discovered lies by government officials led us into the indefensible war in Vietnam. Opposition to the war intensified when television made it possible for civilians to see, for the first time, the real horror of war. Many young men did not want to serve; civil unrest opposing the war became incessant, college enrollment soared as that was a way to escape being drafted.
The contrast between the feelings of young men not wanting to serve, and feelings of veterans who considered military service one's patriotic duty, divided our nation. It resulted in distain for men of my generation who used going to college to avoid military service, and distrust of government, that still exists six decade later.
Today all branches of The United States of America military are staffed with highly skilled volunteers. Only about one in three young men or women is educationally, physically and legally qualified to serve. Many old veterans would not be qualified to serve in today's elite armed forces.
Qualifications are so much more rigorous because many Military Occupational Specialties now require acute mental and technical ability, emotional stability and the quiet confidence that comes from strength. Today's modern American military is staffed with highly skilled professionals, and equipped with the most sophisticated and powerful military weapons that exist.