The+Vietnam+Soldier


 * Had to deal with everything from enemy fire and booby traps to large snakes and other animals
 * The experiences of Vietnam were much different then the ones of WWI and WWII
 * Grunts were the Army foot soldiers on patrol
 * There were finally mixed units of blacks and whites in the war
 * Most of the people who volunteered were between 21-22 years old.
 * The new soldiers that came were usually overwhelmed by the intense heat of Vietnam and the smell of fertilizer was really strong
 * The sights, sounds, and smells of Vietnam were very different than at home
 * Base camps and Fire bases were "in the bush"
 * At least one Grunt in each platoon was medically trained
 * Each platoon had at least 20-40 people in it
 * One or two grunts were the radiotelephone operator (RTO) which was very important because without them they could not call for artillery
 * A typical grunt had about 35-70 pounds of weight or water, food, cooking, utensils, books, and socks, salt tablets, rope, playing cards, letters, and photos
 * To hump a platoon is march after it