Multiple tours
I have no doubt that the figure quoted is approximately correct.
Many returned to Vietnam where they felt wanted, needed and appreciated. When a person goes from being responsible for other peoples' lives and/or complex, expensive equipment; comes home and finds out that he isn't "qualified" for such a responsible position in the civilian world, many went back.
Secondly, and probably more importantly, when the only resource for personnel are those on active duty; there are only two choices when called for another tour: 1) do not re-up or resign your commission or 2) do another tour. So many of the core NCOs' did this that time and time again, that they simply burned out and ended their careers after multiple tours of duty.
After all, you can ask only so much from a finite resource.
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