Regarding the Radio Man leaving his antenna up: A friend of mine was forced into becoming an RTO when he was in Vietnam. He tried to refuse. His CO claimed that he was refusing because his antenna would extend and show his position. The CO called him a chicken shit. The real reason he refused is that he couldn't read a map at all. No sense of direction. He was required to keep the antenna extended by his CO. Maybe they were too far in to keep it curled over.
He got the platoon lost constantly. He kept screaming that he was OK with fighting, but he can't be left in charge of navigation. His CO didn't care. He ended up getting shot in the ass with his giant antenna waving in the air. It was bad enough hit that it got him a ticket home. 20 years later, he still walked with a limp. It must have shattered his hip. I didn't ask. It's poor form to ask for details from a 'Nam vet. Let them tell you.
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Wuchak (8108)
4 years ago
Maybe they were too far in to keep it curled over.
In the movie they were apparently "too far in" as it seemed like a really remote base.
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