Myths about war

I am a Vietnam veteran, stationed in Nha Trang at Camp McDermott from December of 1969 to February 1971. Although I wasn’t directly involved in combat, and fortunately never had to kill anyone during my tour of duty, I was on the receiving end of many mortar and rocket attacks and sniper fire. We had both infantry men and special forces on our camp, so I got to talk with some of them about what goes on in the jungle, but what I am writing about in this article comes from first hand experience.

Mortars and Rockets myth
In the movies you hear rockets whistling from the source to the target. They come in one at a time, giving you plenty of notification and time to take cover. The fact is, rockets don't whistle all the way to the target. You do however, hear a brief swishing sound about one second before the first explosion. They don’t come in one at a time. They come in barrages. If you have ever been to a fireworks display, the grand finale at the end of the display is what a rocket attack sounds like. Then there is a pause for a few seconds, and another barrage comes in. This is repeated every few seconds until the rocket inventory is depleted or the source of the attack is found and bombed out of existence by fighter jets or heavy artillery.

Also in the movies, a rocket or grenade explodes at a soldier's back.  The soldier is thrown into the air and lands with only a few scratches.  What they don't tell you is that when mortars and rockets explode, their casings and propellar break apart into razor sharp metal fragments that are fired in every direction and cut right through anyone who is within the blast radius.  If a soldier is close enough to be thrown from the blast he is sliced up by these sharp metal fragments called “shrapnel.”

Radar & siren myth
Radar at U.S. military bases is designed to set off sirens when incoming rounds are detected, so you have time to take cover before the first mortar or rocket hits (while they are still in the air). The fact is that radar or the alert system sometimes fails. It is often hard to distinguish outgoing from incoming rounds without the sirens. Both are ground shaking.

The first time I experienced an incoming rocket attack I thought it was outgoing fire because there were no sirens. Around the 3^rd barrage the sirens went off. I got under my bunk and waited for a pause in the barrage and then ran down the stairs toward the bunker. Before I got to the bunker the next barrage came in and the ammo dump got hit, causing me to dive into the bunker like it was a swimming pool, landing on my chest and knocking the wind out of me.

Gunshot myth
As depicted in the movies, you hear machine gun fire you jump out of the way and hide behind something and the bullets hit the object between you and the bullets and you are shielded from. The real fact is, bullets travel faster than sound. That means you get hit before you even hear it coming.

I once took sniper fire while walking to work on our base camp. Fortunately I was about 3 feet out of range of the sniper. I saw the sand in front of my feet getting kicked up and was expecting to see a large uguana lizard slither away as was a common occurance. Instead, about two seconds later, off in a distance I heard a series of 5 pops.

Firefight myth
In the movies, you get fired upon. Your platoon knows the direction the fire is coming from, takes cover, and fires back. The reality is, there is lots of confusion in a firefight. Sometimes it comes from all directions, but most of the time you can’t tell which direction is it coming from. Your platoon scatters to take cover wherever they can find it and starts shooting in whatever direction they happen to be facing. You’re scared, in a panic, and you're fighting to survive. Sometimes you end up hitting other members of your own platoon.  They call it “friendly fire”.

Tracer myth
Tracers are for night firing where the bullets light up so you can see where they are going while rapid-firing an automatic rifle (some refer to it as a “machine gun”).  In the movies you see incoming tracers and soldiers dodging them by ducking between them.  The reality is that the steady stream of rapidfire you see is actually every 5th round (bullet).  You don't see the 4 other rounds between each tracer because they don't light up.  So if you're getting sprayed with tracers, in the unlikely event that you are fast enough to duck between them, the other 4 rounds that you don't see will get you.

The enemy myth
The people of the country you are ordered to fight against are called your enemy. Your military leaders do everything they can to demonize and dehumanize them, making it easier to hate and kill them. The truth: People you are fighting against are not your enemy (unless they are attacking your country and you are defending your borders). Wars happen because of political or religious differences between the leaders of countries. They are the ones who are at War and we are the ones that have to fight it for them. They force us into battle with the threat of prison if we refuse and then call us heroes when we die in battle. The fact is that every dead soldier who was acknowledged as a hero was scared and fighting for their own survival and the survival of their platoon brothers.  So when a leader says “they made the ultimate sacrifice”, what they are really saying is “we sacrificed their lives to achieve our religious or political goals”.

When my tour of duty was over I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA until my obligation to the U.S. army was complete. During my stay there, I participated in many anti-war demonstrations in Seattle.  My army superiors didn't like it, but they didn't try to stop me either.  Most military personnel are against war, but if they express their opinion on it, it could lead to trouble from those higher on the chain of command.
 

Tribalism

In today's interconnected world, the concept of tribalism has become increasingly prominent. While it has deep historical roots, its modern implications are significant and multifaceted. This article aims to explore tribalism, its impact on society, and how we can navigate its challenges and benefits.

What is Tribalism?
Tribalism refers to the strong loyalty one feels towards their own group, often at the expense of those outside it. This group can be defined by ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, or even sports teams. The essence of tribalism is the “us vs. them” mindset, where allegiance to the group is prioritized.

The Historical Context
Historically, tribalism was essential for survival. Early human societies were organized into tribes, where cooperation and trust within the group were vital. These tribes provided a sense of identity and security in a world full of uncertainties. However, as societies evolved, the tribal mentality persisted, adapting to new structures of social organization.

The Bright Side of Tribalism
Tribalism is not inherently negative. It can foster a sense of belonging and community, which is crucial for mental well-being. It encourages cooperation and can motivate collective action. For instance, fans of a sports team may rally together, creating a shared identity and building relationships.

Moreover, tribalism can drive social change. Movements based on shared beliefs and goals, such as world peace, environmental activism or civil rights, often harness tribal loyalty to effect positive change.

The Dark Side of Tribalism
Despite its benefits, tribalism can also lead to division and conflict. The strong “us vs. them” dynamic can foster prejudice, discrimination, and hostility towards those outside the group. In extreme cases, it can escalate to violence and war.

In today's political and religious landscapes, tribalism can polarize societies. Individuals may become so entrenched in their group's ideology that they reject dialogue and compromise, as is found in much of today's politics. This can stifle progress and lead to societal stagnation.

Navigating the Challenges of Tribalism
To harness the positive aspects of tribalism while mitigating its negative effects, individuals and societies can take several steps:

Conclusion
Tribalism is a complex phenomenon with both positive and negative implications. By understanding its roots and effects, we can strive to create a society that values unity without sacrificing diversity. As we navigate this intricate landscape, let us aim to build bridges rather than walls, embracing the richness of our collective human experience.