The heavy masculinity content during basic training in the United States Marine Corps at the time of the Vietnam War provided an emphasis on linking a soldier’s aggressive nature and overall masculinity that can supposedly lead to success, dominating the North Vietnamese troops. This wasn’t the case, however, as it backfired when the eventual withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam was highlighted as a significant blow to the male’s ego and attack on their powerful John Wayne-style heroic masculinity. Meanwhile, the Donut Dollies and American female nurses who volunteered were expected to play the role as the “girl next door”, a reminder to the male soldiers of who it was they were fighting for back home, even though their decision to
