Veterans as share of population
That reflects the wider trend in U.S. society. According to Census figures, veterans currently make up about 7% of the overall population, down from 13.7% in 1970 — when the Vietnam War was raging and the draft was still in place. As a 2011 Pew Research Center report noted, the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been fought by a historically small U.S. military; this has contributed to a distance between the military and civilian society. While Americans overwhelmingly say they feel proud of those who’ve served and appreciate their sacrifices, 71% say most Americans know little or nothing about the problems faced by military personnel; about as many (74%) oppose reinstating a draft.
Veterans as share of population  | 15%  | 12.1  | 13.8  | 11.0  | 12.8  | 9.4  | 10  | 7%  | 5  | 1960  | 1970  | 1980  | 1990  | 2000  | 2010  | Source: Census Bureau  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 