Having decided to maintain and increase the American commitment to the RVN but defer on combat troop deployments, John Kennedy would spend the next two years of his presidency, and his life, groping for an effective response to the southern rebellion and political turmoil in Saigon. Despite political and military problems recognized by all, the president would authorize an 800 percent increase in U.S. advisors to Vietnam, extend American participation in operations against the VC, begin to consider troop withdrawals because of perceived improvements in the fight against the insurgency, and ultimately help coordinate the overthrow of the Diem government. By November 1963, the United States would be well on its way toward creating and intervening in a major war in Southeast Asia.

At the same time, U.S. military officials would express conflicting views regarding Vietnam policy. Service leaders generally supported the president's expansion of the American role in Vietnam, especially after Kennedy replaced holdover military leaders with his own generals and because of the president's embrace of military Keynesianism, with projected defense budget increases of $17 billion over five years. Optimism grew within military circles with General Paul Harkins's arrival in Saigon in 1962, just as U.S. resources were pouring into the RVN and American aircraft appeared to be containing the VC.