Tim O’Brien begins this collection with a short story detailing the things the soldiers carried because he wants to get the reader connected physically and emotionally as possible. An example of him doing this is when he says, “Ted Lavender carried 6 or 7 ounces of premium dope, which for him was a necessity” (O’Brien 3). This shows the reader that the soldiers were struggling physically while they were out on patrol, and that they had to use illegal substances to reduce their pain. Additionally to struggling physically, they were struggling mentally. At this point in the war these men probably have seen some terrible things, and have had to do some terrible things. Because of this the would smoke dope to free their minds for awhile and ease