The purpose of the Vietnamization policy, which was implemented by the Nixon administration during the Vietnam War, was to transfer the burden of combat operations and military responsibility from U.S. forces to the South Vietnamese army. This policy was intended to reduce American troop levels in Vietnam, while still maintaining support for the South Vietnamese government and military. By gradually increasing the combat capabilities and autonomy of the South Vietnamese army, the United States hoped to eventually withdraw its own forces from the conflict, allowing the South Vietnamese to defend themselves against the communist forces of North Vietnam. Ultimately, the goal of Vietnamization was to achieve a "decent interval" between U.S. withdrawal and the eventual collapse of South Vietnam, allowing the U.S. to disengage from the war without appearing to abandon its ally.
