LT McDonough’s interaction with each soldier varied based on the person. As the story erupted and McDonough found himself in the confounds of Vietnam, McDonough met multiple unique individuals with a different perspective of the war. In his first encounter with an officer, the LT met a Major who was confound to the wire and dreamed of an opportunity to step out in the front lines and experience the war for himself. I could sense a void for his service to his country and his desire to actually make a difference. On the flip side, as the story unfolded, the LT’s driver, Nail, had already experienced much of Vietnam and was on the front lines. The war had unfolded on him and he had just returned from multiple gunshot wounds. For Nail, his time outside the wire would be cut short for the thought of another gun wound might end him once and for all.  As McDonough was about to embark on his campaign to his new post, the LT had run into a fellow LT who looked rough (someone who had been in the shit) and wanted a little guidance as to what “beyond the wire” was like. Instead of advice and guidance, the LT only received countless gruesome war stories of chaos and violence that had been caused by this LT and his fellow men. As the chapters began to end, the LT had finally journeyed to his post. It was here that the LT would finally be meeting the officer who he would be replacing, LT Rolfe. In his time with Rolfe, he had seen the effect that Vietnam played on a weak-willed individual. The need to escape and never come back again, the cowards and injust leader of a platoon.

In the experiences that I had viewed from McDonough, Vietnam played a tole on each individual differently. Vietnam was not a normal war and for many, the war was different all across the region. The idea of why were there and why we were fighting seemed to ring in the men’s ears. I’ve never experienced a fight and neither had LT McDonough so I think it isn’t until we are thrown into the pit that we realize how a war will affect us. It is in moments like these that we can only base our knowledge on the stories we’ve heard. Until we are in the very war itself, we will not be able to grasp the real tole that it will play on our bodies and our minds. I think it’s important for officers to understand the effects that war has on our minds and bodies so that we can not only look out for our own well-being but also for our soldiers. Throughout a platoon, many soldiers will experience war differently and it is important to ensure that war doesn’t completely take over someone and dehumanize their thoughts or morals.

Finally, I think the Army prepares you for the concept of fighting a war but not truly the effects that this war has on soldiers. To prepare for the fight is one thing and the army does that very well but to prepare for the thought process and reality behind a war, maybe not so much. In order to understand how war reflects on us personally, I think we have to experience it as it’s not something that can be taught. The issues are important and understanding what you are about to walk into might help realize the what you are embarking on.