RTO's had a high rate of casualties in Cambodia and Nam because the NVA ambush(ers) would look for the antenna and know that the GI in front was an NCO or Officer! I was tricked into becoming one. Company commander asks, "Any of you guys college football fans, what team?" "I answer PSU!" You go there? Yes! Orders me IN THE FIELD to be one, to refuse, court marshal! So I was "foxtrot uniform charley kilo echo delta"! NVA looked for antennas, as they knew the person if front an officer or at least an NCO. Consequently, the target of their ambushes! The thing was though, they'd be so excited they'd begin to swing their AKs a little to soon and the RTO would get hit! Purple Heart, Commendation for Valor and never missing an anti-malaria dose (known not to be 100% effective) contracted X2. First time got out of the field a couple weeks, second time I came home with it. I guess it was good karma as, know a lot of dudes faked taking it so they'd get it. I figured if someone replaced me and croaked it would be on me so I always took it! Although in reality constant attrition, no one actually replaced you! Knew I had it and just had my parents take to Valley Forge army hospital! Worse memory, handing sarge the handset. As he turns right to take it, gets it in left temple. Instant black farhead and empty eye sockets. Two seconds later, rocket propelled granade hits tree to my right and blows me off Shackey's Hill in Cambodia!
Got carried away! lima alpha romeo romeo yankee!
