What was daily life like for American soldiers in the Vietnam War?

About 75\% of the 2.5 million soldiers fighting in Vietnam worked in support roles as clerks far away from the front lines. These men had access to all the luxuries of home, including getting to sleep in a bed, eating hot meals, drinking at bars, and shopping at a well-stocked commissary.

What was the Vietnam War like for Australian soldiers?

By the time the last Australian personnel were withdrawn in 1972, the Vietnam War had become Australia’s longest war, eventually being surpassed by Australia’s long-term commitment to the War in Afghanistan….Military history of Australia during the Vietnam War.

What was it like to be a grunt in Vietnam?

To be a grunt was to be in the infantry. It meant leaping out of helicopters into landing zones that were sometimes under enemy fire. They could be on patrol for extended periods and were occasionally resupplied by helicopters as they searched for the enemy—either the Vietcong or units of the North Vietnamese Army.

How many Australian soldiers served in Vietnam?

60,000 Australians
From 1962 to 1973, more than 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War. They were part of an allied force led by the United States.

What does Kia mean in The Things They Carried?

killed in action
KIA Abbreviation for killed in action, to be killed in the line of duty. chopper A helicopter. dustoff Medical evacuation by helicopter. Claymore antipersonnel mine An antipersonnel mine that scatters shrapnel in a particular, often fan- shaped, area when it explodes.

What does SOP mean in The Things They Carried?

standard operating procedure
The Things They Carried is written in an informal, colloquial style, reflecting the way American soldiers in Vietnam spoke. O’Brien frequently makes use of the soldiers’ slang, such as the term “SOP” (which means “standard operating procedure”).