Combat Effectiveness?

Drug consumption during the Vietnam war is most often portrayed with dope smoking. Other drugs, such as heroin, are not frequently acknowledged yet perhaps frequently taken. I have also heard many rumours (though never from several 'vets I've known) that certain drug use (LSD?) was encouraged by the government. This was for experimentation towards developing a 'more efficient' combat soldier - one who could fight for longer periods of time through increased endurance, and be less likely to become prey to fear during a firefight. I'm not sure how true this is, and certainly if this type of experimentation did actually occure it would have only been with small selections of troops. However the issue of drug use does raise a few questions.

Compared to most, pot is a mild drug and most of its effects are quickly overcome by the rush of adrenalin during combat situations. But even such a mild drug must reduce a soldiers combat effectivness - especially at night. Perhaps the paranoia that sometimes occures with heavy consumption over a period of time is not such a bad thing in war - providing you remember who your enemies are...

Other drugs raise much greater concerns. Herion tends to provide that feeling of been invincible. How many soldiers might have died thinking they were bullet proof? How many addicts found it difficult to take orders considering themselves to be 'supreme'? During periods of abstinence, how well did soldiers cope with withdrawal? I certainly wouldn't feel to comfortable with an addict or doper as my point man (unless I wanted him blown up?)!

As for my suggestion of experimentation: It's true drugs can increase someones stamina for extended periods of time. The catch is that generally this is followed by lethargic periods where the body tries to recooperate. Now I don't think there was that much spare time during patrols...

Drugs offered an alternative to the hell that was Nam. Perhaps they provided a means to release tensions, and isolate a soldier from the horrific truth that is war. Perhaps they provided emotional detatchment when a marine had to deal with loss and bloodshed. Perhaps they helped soldiers cope day by day. But if my suggestions reflect the truth then I ask if these benefits outwayed the debilitating effects drugs have on a soldiers.

On a final note, I would like to say that although I am not of the war erra I truly respect and admire those who servered in this conflict above all others. I'm not here to judge whether the war was right or wrong and don't believe there is an easy answer to that question. However the men and women that fought, bled and died on foreign soil were simply doing their duty while attempting to survive in a very uncertain environment. Without these people our world would be a very different place.

Thankfully, although my parents were not pro-Vietnam, they did not participate in the anti-war demonstrations and have brought me up to despise those who refused to give their nations finest the deserved respect on their return home.