The Things They Carried

8 Pages 1880 Words

al loads that the soldiers of the platoon carried, the tangible and intangible. Always easy to discard or dispose of were the tangible items, “They would often discard things along the route of march. Purely for comfort, they would throw away rations, blow their Claymores and grenades […]” (O’Brien 393); but the emotional, intangible items were always bore by the men and it was only the freedom bird home that would relieve these burdens “[…] where everything weighed exactly nothing” (O’Brien 397). O’Brien is very specific in detailing the equipment that each man in his platoon carried, to include its weight when empty or loaded. He identifies the specific uses and need for the items the men carry and what items of comfort each carried. Each man’s load was different, varied by his personal wants, needs, and role in the platoon. O’Brien is very articulate in detailing each man’s personal quirks; “Henry Dobbins, who was a big man, carried extra rations; he was especially fond of canned peaches [...] Dave Jensen, who practiced field hygiene, carried a toothbrush, dental floss […] Ted Lavender, who was scared, carried tranquilizers […] Mitchell Sanders, the RTO, carried condoms […]” (387).
As a soldier, it is easy to relate to O’Brien’s story. The emotional and physical burdens that soldiers carry with them in combat ar...