In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes as he begins settling into his new role in the Cobra platoon—training with machine guns and rockets, breaking the monotony with a U.S.O. show, and counting down the long stretch of days still ahead. But beneath the surface of his daily routines, the war itself was starting to shift. While Popi learned the weapons systems of his armed Huey, policymakers thousands of miles away were quietly questioning whether America’s entire approach to the war had been flawed from the start.

Accompanied by a photo of Popi's point of view at the firing range—rockets streaking across the landscape and smoke rising from the ground, today's episode explores how the Vietnam War played out on two fronts: the action and boredom experienced by soldiers on the ground, and the unseen battle for control of the countryside playing out in the minds of U.S. strategists.

What’s Covered:

• Popi’s early days training with the Cobra platoon


• The disconnect between military strategy and life on the ground


• The role of boredom and routine in soldiers' experiences of war


• How the war's blurred front lines made it difficult to tell friend from enemy

📷 Featured Photo: Popi's point of view at the range—firing rockets into the Vietnamese landscape, turning farmland into a training ground.

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