Rambo First Blood Essay Example

individuals from more privileged backgrounds often protested on college campuses. By the late sixties, opponents of the war not only viewed it as a misguided policy but also as a clear evil, a sentiment that I personally agree with.

They sometimes viewed soldiers as being accomplices in this wickedness. The disclosure of the My Lai massacre (refer to below) only bolstered this viewpoint. Vietnam accentuated social and political rifts that Americans had avoided facing. Some individual veterans may perceive, and rightly so, that their contribution to the country was not acknowledged.

Students should be cautious when distinguishing between popular folklore, such as the myth that veterans were spit on, and historical reality. The morale of soldiers in Vietnam was frequently very low. The average age of soldiers in Vietnam was merely 19. Additionally, college students could receive draft deferments, meaning that if you were in college, you were exempted from the draft.

Due to the socioeconomic disparities, the majority of individuals fighting in the war were the underprivileged children who were well aware of their circumstances. Within this context, racial divisions became apparent, as evidenced by the recollections of Michael Rodriguez. It was estimated that one-third of the US troops were grappling with drug addiction, making the Vietnam war a profoundly distressing experience for Americans. The soldiers found themselves lacking a clear understanding of the purpose and meaning behind their presence in the war. In the field, often referred to as "in country," there was a pervasive sense of insecurity as the enemy seemed to lurk everywhere. For many, this experience felt like being immersed in a moral quagmire.

As evidence of the war's horrific nature became more apparent,

public opposition to the war intensified. In March 1968, during a patrol in the village of My Lai in Central Vietnam, a group of American soldiers experienced recent losses and were frustrated by their inability to find the enemy. Filled with a desire for revenge, they gathered unarmed women, children, and elderly civilians and subjected the women to sexual violence before ruthlessly shooting them.

Private Paul Meadlo remembered the horrific event where they killed over 300 Vietnamese civilians, with the majority being women and children. His recollection was filled with sorrow as he described how they gathered the civilians together and forced them to crouch down. Meadlo poured a tremendous amount of bullets from about four clips into the group, not sparing even the mothers who embraced their terrified children. Despite their desperate pleas and waving arms, the firing continued relentlessly. The weight of this tragedy still haunts Meadlo in his dreams, causing sleepless nights filled with images of the innocent women and children.

Lieutenant William Calley led Charlie Company soldiers to take a lunch break, and thereafter resume killing and burning. However, their actions were halted by two American soldiers from an airborne helicopter division. These soldiers warned that their helicopter's guns would be directed at them if they harmed another woman or child. The Army made efforts to conceal this event. Furthermore, the two men who intervened to stop the massacre faced threats, while the Australian newspaper that initially reported on the incident faced a lawsuit.

Journalist Seymour Hersch revealed the My Lai massacre, resulting in a well-known trial where Calley was court-martialed and given a three-year sentence. In 1998, on the 30th anniversary of the

event, the army honored two individuals who had prevented it with medals. This incident took place during a period when public opposition to the war was surpassing any protests seen since the Civil War. Richard Nixon, who won the election in 1968, claimed to possess a confidential plan for ending the conflict.

During this time period, Nixon's actions included the invasion of Cambodia by US troops in 1970. This invasion sparked student protests once again and tragically resulted in the deaths of four unarmed protesters at Kent State University in Ohio when the Ohio National Guard troops opened fire. In response to these protests, Nixon began withdrawing US troops and increasing support for the South Vietnamese army, a strategy known as "vietnamization." By 1972, the number of US troops had decreased from 540,000 in 1968 to 60,000. To compensate for this reduction, Nixon significantly escalated bombing operations, with a focus on covertly and undisclosedly bombing Cambodia.

The "Pentagon Papers" were a classified study of the Vietnam War conducted by the Department of Defense. Daniel Ellsberg, an official from the Defense Department, leaked these papers to the New York Times and Washington Post with the intention of informing the public about undisclosed aspects of the war. On June 13, 1971, as its main headline, the Times published the initial portion of the Pentagon Papers. President Nixon took legal action against this move; however, in the end, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of newspapers' rights to disseminate these documents to citizens.

Nixon responded to the Pentagon Papers incident in his typical manner, forming a group known as the "Plumbers". This covert organization included individuals like G. Gordon Liddy, E.

Howard Hunt, and Cuban dissident recruits. The primary objective of the "Plumbers" was to discredit Ellsberg by illegally breaking into his psychiatrist's office to find potentially incriminating information. Ehrlichmann granted approval for this burglary on the condition that it could not be traced back to them. The "Plumbers" were a secret group established by Nixon's aides to carry out illicit activities. Their operations ceased when their attempted break-in at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, targeting the Democratic party headquarters, was discovered.

By 1972, the American public had shown their lack of support for the war. President Nixon and his National Security advisor, Kissinger, entered into negotiations called "peace with honor," which essentially acknowledged defeat. In December of that year, Nixon authorized the bombing of Cambodia and cities in North Vietnam, commonly known as the "Christmas bombing." However, he halted these attacks just a month later, and on January 27, 1973, peace was officially proclaimed.

The United States experienced its first clear defeat in warfare, resulting in the loss of 58,000 American lives and costing 140 billion dollars. Shortly after, the South Vietnamese government faced a humiliating collapse, with scenes of the US embassy evacuation via helicopter and desperate attempts by former American supporters in Vietnam to flee the country through any means necessary. Initially, the newly united Vietnamese government displayed oppressive and cruel behavior, particularly towards individuals seen as US sympathizers.

Despite the disproval of the domino theory, which suggests that communist governments in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China act together, it is evident that they do not. Moreover, most of these governments have abandoned communism after a period of brutal fighting. Vietnam, astonishingly, has embraced

capitalism enthusiastically and has transformed into the fertile ground for US investment that Ho Chi Mihn promised in the 1950s. Despite arguments from Americans claiming that "we could have won if," such as Ronald Reagan's insistence on wholesale commitment in the war instead of limited action, it is essential to question what victory would truly mean. While the US could have easily bombed Vietnam back to ruins, as Senator Barry Goldwater stated, it begs the question of what that victory would look like. Would it be a triumph to rule over a devastated landscape with countless civilian casualties? Should the US have waged a more aggressive war and massacred millions to suppress a nationalist movement seeking independence? Such actions would only result in tyrannical rule over a country where the majority despised everything that the US represented.

What kind of victory could have been achieved? The Vietnam war was misguided, highlighting the arrogance of those in power. Many key figures behind the containment policy that led to Vietnam, such as George Kennan, McGeorge Bundy, and Robert MacNamara, have openly admitted their mistakes regarding the war. The flawed policy of "containment" was indifferent to the history of Southeast Asia.

The US leaders' excessive focus on "communism" further plunged the country into a calamity. They firmly believed in America's purpose and the inherent supremacy of all American actions. However, both their belief and the war itself were misguided. Upon their return, Vietnam veterans were not hailed as heroes and those belonging to racial minorities, who had experienced the worst of warfare, received particularly harsh treatment, he noted.

Veterans had to rally for various benefits, including VA benefits, an

expanded GI Bill, counseling, and treatment for stress syndrome and Agent Orange-related problems, according to Kerry, the founder of Vietnam Veterans of America. In contrast to previous American wars, soldiers who came back from the Vietnam War were not revered as heroes; in fact, some even faced condemnation for their involvement. Returning soldiers were labeled as "baby killers" instead of being hailed as heroes. As a result, many young men strove to avoid conscription by becoming conscientious objectors or fleeing to Canada. The Ghosts of War portrays a distinct bond among the Vietnam War soldiers, which differed significantly from their relationships with people back home.

The soldiers felt unable to fully convey the truth about the war to their loved ones back home. Despite being together all the time, the soldiers empathized with each other's pain and confusion but refrained from discussing it. The war altered people's relationships, either fostering closeness or driving them apart. The soldiers' connections with their families either grew stronger or grew distant as a result. The soldier did not wish to burden or worry his parents, knowing that they would be unable to comprehend his experiences.

The documentary "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam," directed by Bill Couturie, portrays the changing relationships experienced by soldiers. One soldier, in a letter to his mother, shares a moment where he felt as if he was on vacation because of the beautiful surroundings in Vietnam. It is possible that he only told his mother this to alleviate her worries and did not reveal the full truth of his internal struggles. Would anyone outside of the war comprehend? "P.S."

Despite the soldiers' physical horrors, many of them

were mentally fragile, making it difficult to reassure their loved ones while being uncertain about what would happen. Though prepared for death, the agony of waiting took a toll on their sanity. They couldn't confide in their young girlfriends at home, knowing they wouldn't comprehend their mental turmoil and confusion regarding the enemy's identity. To maintain sanity and avoid excessive worry for loved ones, they had no option but to downplay the war's severity.

All of the men were scared and uncertain about how to express their fear. They didn't want to worry their mothers unnecessarily, so they couldn't communicate it in letters. "We are all frightened, this feeling is evident in each person, some hide it with words while others conceal it through their actions. There's no escaping it. We are all afraid." The soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War faced intense terror merely because they feared death. Humans aren't inherently violent and lack the necessary comprehension for such a role.

Despite facing various levels of success, the soldiers made an endeavor to fulfill their duties to the best of their capabilities. They opted to conceal their role from their families and dear ones in order to spare them any distress. The soldiers wished to prevent constant concern for their well-being from burdening their loved ones. What measures can be taken at home to alleviate this worry? The continuous fretting from dear ones puts additional pressure on the soldiers, compounding the stress they already endure. Hence, it is crucial for loved ones to refrain from excessively worrying about them as it will only add further weight.

The soldiers felt compelled to perform a job they did

not desire, but had to carry out nonetheless. "I am filled with fear, but not enough to resign. I am a marine." The dynamics between the soldiers and their loved ones underwent a shift, as the war's impact could not be conveyed through mere words. The families were absent and thus did not share the soldiers' experiences. The loved ones of the soldiers grew closer solely due to anxiety. The soldiers, in turn, drew closer to their families as they wished to avoid death.

"Vietnam can kill me, but it can't make me care." This iconic quote from the movie Full Metal Jacket, directed by Stanley Kubrick, captures the unique bond formed among the soldiers sent to train for the Vietnam War. Their shared experiences and fears created a connection that outsiders could never comprehend. While they understood the possibility of death, it wasn't their primary concern at that time. The film vividly portrayed how the war shaped the dynamics and relationships between the men who fought in it.

They each formed unique connections among themselves for various reasons. Certain marines hid their fear from others to avoid appearing vulnerable. Private Joker was terrified of war, yet concealed this fear from everyone. Private Pyle embodied the trepidation and unease experienced by all soldiers in the war.

Private Joker experienced the same fear as Pyle and made an effort to assist both Pyle and himself in conquering it. Joker was reluctant to acknowledge that he shared the same insecurities as Pyle. This hesitation led him to strike Pyle with the bar of soap and towel, five times in total, which was four times more than what others did. Although

Pyle was his friend, Joker was unwilling to admit that he possessed similar qualities as him. These soldiers were trained to eliminate the enemy, but unfortunately, Pyle ended up taking the life of who he perceived as his own enemy, himself.

The relationships between Joker and Pyle were characterized by overwhelming anxiety. Joker and Cowboy became close friends due to their shared fear, which they concealed. Both Cowboy and Joker were relaxed and fearful, connecting over their ability to hide their fear while still having a moral compass. They both questioned the purpose of being in war and shared a genuine friendship built on understanding one another's emotions.

During the Vietnam War, they had a shared conscience that prevented Vietnam from overpowering them. One of the crucial survival tips was to maintain sanity. Rafterman resembled Pyle in many ways, as he was also a quiet individual who desired to be in combat like everyone else.

Joker tasked Rafterman with capturing images for his articles, but Joker was uneasy having Rafterman around because he embodied Joker's subconscious. Joker wanted to avoid acknowledging that Rafterman represented a part of himself. Concealing fear was a sentiment Joker hesitated to display. The connection between Rafterman and Joker was rooted in their shared feeling of fear. Joker hesitated to offer comfort to Rafterman when he was scared because he himself was unsure how to find solace in the midst of war.

Rafterman and Joker both shared the fear of feeling like killers, as they did not want to take lives. However, when they faced the situation on the field during the Vietnam War, they both panicked and did not know how to handle it.

Animal Lover symbolized the idea of suppressing human emotions in order to be successful in war. The Marines aimed to transform all their soldiers into killers, and Animal Lover represented the concept of how assuming the role of a killer could ultimately change a person into one.

He disregarded orders and caused Cowboy's death by exposing him to the sniper. Their relationship was strained as Animal Lover could discern Joker's lack of conscience. Animal Lover himself lacked a conscience, having lost all human qualities in Vietnam and becoming a monster. Joker was determined not to let the same fate befall him.

Animal Lover and Joker had a strained relationship due to their contrasting perspectives. While Joker remained hopeful that the ongoing nightmarish reality would eventually end, urging others to make the most out of it, Animal Lover interpreted his own life as akin to the Vietnam War. In this war, soldiers were constantly subjected to a whirlwind of emotions, uncertain about how they should feel or interact with fellow soldiers facing the same predicament.

Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carry depicts the men's emotions and fear, showcasing their uncertainty in dealing with them. The novel encompasses a range of contrasting perspectives on war, as highlighted by the quote: "War is nasty war is fun. War is thrilling war is drudgery. War makes you a man war makes you dead" (p.87). The soldiers grapple with mixed emotions about their wartime experiences, with each individual sharing in their collective confusion. As reflected in the text, they carry not only physical burdens but also an unspoken reverence for the immense power embodied in the objects they bear (p.).

9) The soldiers,

although always together, hesitated to acknowledge the burdens they secretly bore. In the midst of war, they were compelled to form bonds with unfamiliar individuals. As stated on page 15, they each carried their own personal histories. While shouldering the weight of their entire unit, the soldiers had to prioritize their own well-being.

They developed trust and affection for one another, which was crucial in times of war. It didn't matter where they were from or who they were, they felt a sense of duty towards each other. Witnessing the death of comrades they had grown close to left deep emotional wounds on these soldiers. "You win some...and sometimes you settle for a rain check."

On page 12, it was a tired line and nobody found it funny. The death of a close friend was an unthinkable matter to joke about. The soldiers formed such strong bonds that losing a friend they had known for just a few days would drive them insane. Understanding this emotion is impossible for those who did not experience the Vietnam War. The soldiers in the Vietnam War shared a silent love for each other.

Despite not being explicitly expressed, an undeniable sense of camaraderie existed among those who fought in the war. The deep bonds between the men were beyond imagination. The soldiers' families became increasingly attached to them out of fear, while the soldiers themselves experienced a level of fear unimaginable by anyone else.

No one knew how to feel about the war. The soldiers and families were perplexed, experiencing both strengthening and weakening of relationships. Love served as an anchor for the soldiers, preventing them from descending into madness. The men

believed they had to take lives as it was their purpose for being there.

Human nature does not instruct individuals to take lives, but rather to embrace love. The Vietnam War provided many individuals with a profound understanding of love and forged enduring bonds. WorksCited Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. Directed by Bill Couturie. Full Metal Jacket.

1987. Stanley Kubrick directed the film. O'Brien, Tim wrote the book "The Things They Carried". It was published in New York by Penguin Books in 1990.

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This text discusses an important part of US history - the first war with no clear winner. The war resulted in the death of 57,685 US soldiers and triple that number were wounded. Even those who returned home without physical injuries experienced depression and carried haunting memories of the violence and devastation they witnessed. What disturbs me about this war is that these men risked their lives for a cause unrelated to them solely because their country opposed Communism. Unfortunately, it seems that their own country has forgotten them. Many of these soldiers, especially those who suffered physical harm, are unemployed and reduced to begging for food on street corners or living under bridges. The first book I read detailing their experiences was Bouncing Back.

The text discusses the different experiences of Air Force pilots and Marines during the Vietnam War. It describes a collection of stories about Air Force pilots who were captured as prisoners of war, emphasizing the contrast between their post-POW lives and those of the Marines in The War In I Corps. The Marines endured difficult conditions, living in the jungles of Vietnam. The

text praises The War In I Corps for its detailed descriptions of the challenges faced by the Marines. Richard A.

Guidry described the scene as follows: "In a driving rain, laden with heavy packs, our platoon lumbered toward its place in the long line of men sprawled in the thick sticky mud.... The rain added a slimy quality to the crust of dirt and fungus that encased my body. Running my fingers across my arm was like following the tracks of a snail."3 This description allowed me to empathize with their experience and made me question why they didn't refuse to fight. The war was not their own, but unfortunate circumstances trapped them in this dreadful jungle, compelled to combat an enemy they had no valid reason to despise.

Living in conditions similar to animals, lacking sufficient food and limited contact with their families, I believe I would choose to sit under a tree and endure it. As I concluded reading the book, I recollected a classroom debate about whether the soldiers were seen as individuals. Guidry clarified the military's perspective: "In their eyes, we were simply components of the machinery, indistinguishable from cannons or jeeps. We were dispensable; they were present to fill their clipboards."

It seems that no one wanted to put an end to the infiltration, as it brought about a constant flow of positive statistics and a significant number of kills each week with minimal cost. This outcome was advantageous for everyone involved and could even lead to promotions for lower-ranking officers. However, those of us in the lower ranks, with our faces covered in mud, understood that this type of thinking would

not bring victory in the war. In his book, the author recounts numerous instances where superiors endangered the troops by disregarding better alternatives and sought refuge in foxholes, leaving the soldiers without guidance. In fact, so many injustices were committed that a Lieutenant was murdered, prompting Guidry and his troop to plan their own revenge. On the other hand, "Bouncing Back" was a more uplifting book, as it portrayed characters who found purpose despite being trapped in POW camps.

They had a vision of a better place and fiercely resisted the interrogators. They established a tapping code to communicate through the walls and shared their knowledge from college with one another. The intriguing aspect of the book is the contrasting lifestyles of Air Force pilots and Marines during times of peace. The pilots enjoyed living in air-conditioned rooms and having three square meals a day, while the Marines, on the other hand, received only one ration per day (if lucky) and half a ration every other day during extended battles when food supplies were scarce.

Al Stafford, the main POW in Bouncing Back, had his good life come to an end merely three weeks after entering the war. He was struck from behind by a SAM missile, which prompted him to eject from the plane. In his final transmission to his superior, Compton, he expressed regret, stating, "Sorry boss, Stafford said I'll see you after the war." Later on, Stafford was forced to discard his survival radio as he feared being tortured by the Vietnamese until he called for rescue. Despite carrying morphine, he contemplated suicide but ultimately decided against it and chose to dispose of the

drug instead to ensure he wouldn't have access to it.

Even at this early stage of the war, the POW camps were already notorious for their horrors. Among the various tortures endured by Stafford, the most excruciating was his deprivation of water. "As time went on, Stafford's suffering became less about his physical pain and uncertainty, and more about one burning fact: he was desperately thirsty... He stepped off the stool, onto his knees, and began licking the floor where the tiles met, hoping to find some water there. When that failed, he tried licking damaged spots on the wall in the hope that some water had seeped through."6 He had already gone without water for two days and had to endure three more. Although the book goes on to depict the appalling conditions in the rooms, the paltry rations, and occasional torture that all soldiers had to endure, none of their experiences matched the extent of Stafford's ordeal.

It is remarkable how certain individuals can endure difficult situations. Stafford, after being held captive as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for eight years, was eventually set free. Upon his arrival back to his homeland, his loyal wife was there, patiently awaiting his return. The only issue he faced thereafter was intermittent bouts of depression. In contrast, numerous Vietnam veterans experienced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following their return from the war, whereby they exhibited persistent emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and depression.

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that 20,000 Vietnam veterans committed suicide in the wars aftermath. Unemployment and rates of prison incarceration for Vietnam veterans, especially those having seen heavy combat, were significantly higher than

in the general population throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Feeling ignored or disrespected by the Veterans Administration (now the Department of Veterans Affairs) and traditional organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, Vietnam veterans created their own self-help groups. Together, they pressured the Veterans Administration to establish storefront counseling centers, staffed by veterans, in all major cities.

The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), a national organization, has emerged as one of the influential service organizations involved in lobbying in Washington, D.C. Robert K. Brigham, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., an expert on the Vietnam War, asserts that Vietnam was a genuine conflict that claimed the lives of 50,000 individuals. Ultimately, the war ended in 1975 with a Communist triumph.

In the face of a stronger opponent that couldn't be baited into open conflict, the allied forces experienced repeated defeats and heavy casualties. Surrender and retreat became inevitable outcomes. The media spotlight turned to incidents like the My Lai massacre, where American soldiers unjustly killed civilians. As a result of these circumstances, returning soldiers opted to abandon their uniforms and medals and instead sought to reintegrate into American society.

The veterans of the war returned home to unemployment and social rejection due to the lack of respect for their service during this turbulent time. Vietnam Veterans are now finally starting to receive the same recognition that soldiers in previous foreign wars had received, primarily in the 1990s and in the new millennium. Vietnam Veterans are now included in Memorial Day parades and monuments, reflecting this positive shift. Sources: Hammond Concise Atlas of World History, 5th Edition, Geoffrey Barraclough Vietnam War Chronology, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans

Memorial Foundation "We were that which others did not want to be. We went where others dared to go, and did what others failed to do."

We did not ask anything from those who gave nothing and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness if we failed. We have experienced terror, felt fear, and cherished moments of love. We have cried, suffered, and hoped, but above all, we have lived through times that others would consider as best forgotten. Eventually, we will be able to say that we are proud of who we are. VIETNAM VETERANS" EXORCISM Returning to Vietnam, By Gary McMahon Works Cited Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. Directed by Bill Couturie.

The given text consists of a sentence mentioning a movie title "Full Metal Jacket" directed by Stanley Kubrick and a book title "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. Both were respectively released in 1987 and published in 1990 by Penguin Books.