Confusion

Nearly every man mentions the confusion of Vietnam. War is understandably confusing but for the black Veterans there are layers of confusion. Battle itself is confusing even in the best planned war. Soldiers must navigate the field amidst a barrage of shooting, explosions, minefields, and fallen men. This type of confusion is expected in battle, but the soldiers in Bloods report a lack of communication and structured command. Officers change regularly and orders for reconnaissance one day may change to seek and destroy the next. The lack of clearly defined objectives in the field often results in troops firing on other American companies or air attacks falling on the division that requested support.

To compound the confusion of battle soldiers often are unsure who they are fighting. Vietnamese villagers are bold in their battle strategies and will strap bombs to small children and babies hoping to kill the...