Vietnam veteran Bryan Slattery has no regrets about being conscripted to fight the ‘politicians’ war’

BRYAN Slattery says he fought a ‘politicians war’ in Vietnam but he’s proud of the soldiers who served and fell beside him in the steamy jungles.

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BRYAN Slattery of Mosman still has the bearing of an officer and a gentleman.

It has been over 45 years since he served in Vietnam but it’s not too hard to image the Neutral Bay resident as a tall young man in uniform.

Since his retirement Slattery has been a stalwart and treasurer of the Mosman RSL Sub-branch because he believes so strongly in supporting veterans and also ensuring “the next generation do not forget the terrible aspects of war’’.

Bryan Slattery as a young conscript to the Vietnam War.

However, unlike many veterans Slattery doesn’t regret his involvement in Vietnam and would do it again if he had the choice.

“We were there to do a job,’’ he said.

“We were well trained and good at what we did.”

Slattery was conscripted in 1968 when he was 21.

“My name came out of a barrel and I was pleased because I was looking for adventure,’’ he said.

At the time Slattery said Vietnam War protesters were seen as “ratbags and unionists” but years later he too realised the Vietnam had been a “politicians’ war’’.

Slattery says he counts himself incredibly lucky to have emerged from the Vietnam War unscathed both mentally and physically.

Vietnam War protesters were viewed as ‘ratbags and unionists’.

He says the experience did give him strength and skills for the rest of his life.

But Slattery still remembers his mates who died and those horrifically injured, including two friends who had both legs blown off.

He also remembers the anguish of returning to his civil service job in Canberra after 30 months in the army and having to stay silent about the unpopular war.

Slattery says he was lucky as a conscript to be selected early for officer training as a Second Lieutenant and did not engage in direct combat.

But his base camp was often subjected to rocket attacks and he flew helicopter missions. “I have the greatest respect for those men who patrolled through the jungle, especially the forward scouts,’’ he said.

Australian troops caring for a wounded soldier at the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.