Vintage Photos

23 Military Photos From The Sixties

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A split image of two soldiers. Left: A soldier eats from a can, wearing a helmet with "Bring 'em back alive" taped on it. Right: A soldier in a jungle setting, holding a Coca-Cola can, looking relaxed. Both wear helmets and military gear.

The 1960s were a time of change and challenge for the military, a decade where duty and everyday life often intersected in unexpected ways. Through moments captured on film, we get a glimpse into the intensity of training, the quiet routines, and the personal stories behind the uniforms. From action-filled exercises to candid moments of reflection, the images reveal the human side of service.

Beyond the drills and ceremonies, there’s a deeper story of camaraderie, resilience, and the small moments that made military life meaningful. They show the bonds forged under pressure, the determination of those who served, and the spirit of a generation shaped by its experiences. For anyone drawn to history or personal stories, this collection offers a vivid look back at a remarkable era. Let’s dive into 23 military photos from the sixties.

1. Nothing fixes a situation like a can of Coke.

Two soldiers in a jungle setting. One sits in the foreground, holding a can of Coca-Cola, with a relaxed expression. The other is in the background, smoking a cigarette. Both wear military helmets and fatigues, surrounded by dense foliage.
nihilist911

Being stranded in the forest isn’t so bad when you have a can of soda.

2. Posing for an Army recruiting poster, 1960s.

A soldier stands on a hill in uniform, holding a rifle with a bayonet attached. He is wearing a helmet, and there are trees in the background against a clear sky. The setting appears to be outdoors in a natural environment.
jaustinduke

Bayonets are one of the most ruthless weapons of war.

3. Before Vietnam, 1960s.

A vintage black and white photo of a young man in a military uniform. He is wearing a formal cap and a tie, with a serious expression, looking slightly to the side. The uniform has insignia on the lapels.
bdd4

This man looks extremely young to be serving.

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4. That’s a big smile for jumping out of a plane.

Black and white image of a smiling paratrooper wearing a helmet and jumpsuit, holding parachute gear. The number 683 is visible on his helmet. Draped fabric, likely a parachute, forms the background.
camkai82

People who skydive are brave, but skydiving into battle, that’s ludicrous.

5. Journaling in the Army, 1960s.

A person in a military uniform is lying on a bunk bed reading a book. There is a wooden cabinet beside the bed. The setting appears to be a simple, undecorated room. The image is in black and white.
LllB999

I would love to read a soldier’s journal.

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6. Kris Kristofferson was an Army ranger in the 1960s.

A black-and-white portrait of a man in military uniform. He wears a tie and a jacket with various insignia. His expression is serious, and he is looking slightly off-camera.
countrymanr60

From an Army Ranger to a famous movie star, what a life.

7. Imagine enlisting with your best friend.

Two men in military uniforms stand inside a building. One has his arm around the other. Both wear "U.S. ARMY" name tags and patches with their last names in a vintage black-and-white photo. One is wearing glasses and a cap.
halcyonwade

Fighting a war with your best bud sounds intense.

8. Bob Ross as a master sergeant for the US Air Force, 1960s.

Black and white photo of a smiling man in a military uniform with a peaked cap. The uniform has various emblems: a winged insignia on the chest and stripes on the sleeve, suggesting an air force affiliation. The man is looking slightly to the left.
regionalhosier594

He left the military because it wasn’t in his nature to be mean to others.

9. Imagine being in control of that giant machine.

A man in a flight jacket sits on the edge of a cockpit ladder of a military aircraft with an open canopy. Another aircraft is parked on the tarmac in the background under a clear sky.
iammeandyouarememe

I don’t know if I’d ever find the confidence to get that thing up in the air.

10. R. Lee Ermey during active duty, 1960s.

A black and white portrait of a person in a military uniform. They are wearing a wide-brimmed drill instructor hat, a tie, and a buttoned shirt. The background is plain and the expression is serious.
mrpeabodyscoaltrain

This was before the Full Metal Jacket fame.

11. We love the C-ration ham slices.

A soldier in a helmet labeled "Bring 'em back ALIVE!" eats from a can using a spoon in his right hand. He wears a watch and holds a camera. The background shows vegetation, suggesting a field setting.
cool-pie3277

Surprisingly, military food isn’t as bad as you’d think.

12. This is a photo of a man on his first tour, vs a photo of him on his second.

Two black and white photos of soldiers: on the left, a soldier walks on a sandy terrain holding an object; on the right, a close-up of a soldier wearing a helmet, with his face partially shadowed. Both are wearing military gear.
jeo228

You can tell he’s seen some things.

13. A member of the first Navy SEAL team, in 1962.

A black and white photo of a man sitting on the ground wearing a parachute harness and gear. He is looking directly at the camera. The background shows an airfield with some aircraft and equipment.
chunkalunk_

I wonder how SEAL training was then versus now.

14. Air Force pilot, 1960s.

A uniformed pilot stands confidently beside a military aircraft. He rests one foot on a step ladder and holds it with one hand. The aircraft features a visible star insignia. The pilot wears a cap and gloves. Black and white photo.
the_quibbler

If you had to choose one branch to serve in, which would you choose?

15. Tom Selleck, 1960s.

A man in a military uniform stands smiling, holding a helmet by his side. He is in front of a building with wooden siding. It's a black and white photo.
browndog888

He served in the California National Guard.

16. Australian soldiers helping in Vietnam.

Five soldiers in green military uniforms and helmets stand together outdoors on a dirt path. They are surrounded by trees and a building is visible in the background. The scene appears to be in a sunny, warm climate.
ultimatelazer

These guys all look extremely young.

17. This is too cool for one photo.

A soldier with a cigarette in his mouth leans against a wooden beam while others, wearing helmets and military uniforms, are around him. The background shows foliage and a river. The scene appears tense.
rbell786

I’d blindly follow this guy into battle.

18. That’s a devious smile.

A person in military uniform and helmet is seated on the ground, holding a rifle with a determined expression. They are outdoors, possibly at a training ground, with trees visible in the background.
kystix

You can tell she just tore up a target down range.

19. When you have to get up at 3 AM.

A young man in a white t-shirt sits thoughtfully on a bed beneath a bunk, looking upward. A table beside him holds a bottle, a cup, and a pack of cigarettes. A towel hangs behind him. The setting appears to be a simple room.
camkai82

When your life depends on it, you don’t ignore the alarm.

20. Presidents Kennedy and de Gaulle honor soldiers who gave their lives, 1961

Two men stand side by side in a formal setting. One wears a suit, the other a decorated military uniform and cap, saluting. A crowd of men in suits stands behind them, watching the ceremony. The image is black and white.
ninetteneighty9/VIA Reddit.com

21. U.S. officers observing live-fire exercises in Finland, 1963

Three U.S. Army soldiers in uniform and helmets stand in a wooded outdoor area, two with binoculars around their necks, looking focused and serious; trees and sunlight are visible in the background.
immediate-tank-9565/VIA Reddit.com

It looks like the exercise might not be going as planned.

22. Chris Noel, spending time with American troops in Vietnam, 1969

A woman with blonde hair sits smiling among a group of uniformed soldiers, some looking at the camera and others looking elsewhere, in an outdoor setting with buildings and equipment in the background.
luckygecko1/VIA Reddit.com

She went 8 times, and was so popular among the U.S. troops that the enemy placed a $10k bounty on her head.

23. Adopting a pet monkey in Vietnam, 1966

A shirtless young man stands outdoors, smiling and holding a small monkey in his arms. Behind him are military-style tents and equipment, suggesting a camp setting.
matthewlarn/VIA Reddit.com

There isn’t much that can make war easier, but a pet monkey could definitely help.

Want to see more military content?

Check out 25 Vintage Photos From The First World War, or take a look at 20 Vintage Photos From The Battle Of Antietam. Finally, if you want to see military photos from the ’40s, check out 20 Colorized Vintage Military Photos From the 1940s.

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Meet the Writer


Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.



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