Mike Clark Narrative

Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.” War creates many experiences that continues to play an evident role in many soldiers lives. One particular soldier, Mike Clark, globally shares his story of being a Vietnam veteran, and the difficult times that he underwent during the Vietnam War. Clark’s personal story is unique because of the difficult decisions he makes and the factors that cause him to make them. Clark explains the reality behind joining the military and witnessing the tragedies that are experienced during the war. While exploring Mike Clark’s Vietnam War story and remembering the war veterans, it is important to consider
Brutal training left a significant impact on the lives of soldiers during the Vietnam War. After Clark went through basic training, the army decided that it would be best for him to become a medic. After he learned the fundamentals of training, Clark went further into training and medical school as well. Clark describes his strenuous training in Medic School as he states, “Wound training, put dressings on wounds, inject morphine, or training for giving shots, that kind of thing. Setting bones. Tracheotomy, if need be. Just your basic medic stuff. The whole idea was to keep somebody alive until they could be medivaced and seen by a doctor: surgeon” (Clark). His explanations of the misery he witnessed during the war provides an insight into Clark’s life and how he diligently trained to become the professional medic that the army needed. Clark also states, “Well, when I got to Vietnam, I really realized how much I didn’t know, but then again, the Army gives you so much training and you’re really not prepared for what you’re gonna see in Vietnam” (Clark). Clark emphasized how reality of the countless days of training didn’t compare towards the harsh battles fought in Vietnam. Training to become a medic served as a significant part of Clark’s journey in the Vietnam War. American Ground Forces in the Vietnam War written by Hunter Keeter, explains the foundations of training that soldiers would learn after they’ve joined the military. In comprehending the general training of soldiers, Keeter states, “Army recruits were schooled for eight weeks in basic combat training and then received eight weeks of advanced individual training, where they learned the skills associated with their military occupational specialty”(Keeter). Basic training serves as a fundamental part of becoming a soldier, Keeter breaks down the process that soldiers go through in order to fight