[dpa5923]

Myself, I served in the military during the Vietnam era-conflict

It could also mean that he was in the service and was never SENT to Vietnam.

You go where the service sends you.

Yeah, but the way it was said, the attempt was made to imply a Vietnam Vet. I think he could have phase the comment a bit better without implying something that wasn't.

[Just another Joe]

If you try to read into it, maybe.
If you take it as written, it says what it says.