Chapter 7, Arrival Summary and Analysis

As the plane glides through mist and mountains to land in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, O'Brien stares out the window and wonders which patch of rainforest may hold his death. Upon landing, he is transported to another base, the Combat Center, in Chu Lai. The Combat Center in Chu Lai encapsulates the unusual and often bizarre aspects of Vietnam. The soldiers learn how to walk through minefields and pitch hand grenades in a war zone. For entertainment, however, this war zone is equipped with beaches, bars, and a resort-like atmosphere complete with local girls selling cokes—girls with "barely concealed anger" in their eyes.

O'Brien is assigned to Alpha Company, at a base camp named LZ Gator. O'Brien picks up his gear and waits for Alpha Company to return from a mission. When Alpha Company returns, they burst...