[Little Bill]

I think in retrospect that putting an Lt six in and six out along with the 12 month rotation for the troops was a bad idea. Half that was learning how to fight it, newbes got dead at a higher rate than experienced troops.

It seemed to me that the curve was, learn. fight well, and then protect your ass until you rotate out.

[centurion316]

I think in retrospect that putting an Lt six in and six out along with the 12 month rotation for the troops was a bad idea

It was a bad idea, but it was based on the experiences of WWII and Korea. Platoon Leaders and Company Commanders did not survive longer than six months. The Vietnam experience was different. I served six months as a Recon Platoon Leader and six months as a Company Commander, went home in one piece. Many others did the same. The rates of KIA was lower, the rates of WIA were actually the same and at times higher. Better medical treatment accounted for that.