P. S. --

The realities of actual combat are much worse when accepted "rules of combat" are not followed with regard to the Geneva and Hague conventions. After repeated sensory assaults involving human suffering, there comes a series of defense mechanisms; some that will get you killed. The first casualty is innocence as there are images that once seen can not be unseen or unfelt or unheard. These experiences permeate every fiber of your being demanding to be dealt with. One can only bury things for so long before they eat you alive. Some have the ability to turn off their conscience for a while; others go numb; some get high. Falling asleep on watch gets people dead; getting high on watch gets people dead; and flipping out gets people dead. The difficult part comes in maintaining ones sanity and humanity long enough to get to a place that you can deal with everything.

With current advancements in technology, not to mention future advances, future generations are shifting towards a more detached sense of combat. So, the message that Platoon provides to the mechanized genetically enhanced super soldiers of the future is that there are still very real effects of conflict that will continue to fight for dominance within each of us. Much respect for those of you who have taken hold of, honor, and defend the oath; you are soldiers but you are also fathers mothers sons and daughters, come back whole.