13 Moons Over Vietnam: 12th Moon ~ Volatile

By Ben Thieu Long

Military Police are typically hard-core and very disciplined. However, after nearly a year in Vietnam, even the most dedicated began to show signs of wavering. Follow one soldier's experience down the rabbit hole of war.

Another argument over the war. We see more conflict in the hooch lately than outside the wire.

“I’m with Luke,” Sergeant Kaminsky declared.

John insisted, “This isn’t your fight.” 

The Sergeant stepped closer. “People like you are undermining our government.”

“I don’t believe that ‘my country right or wrong’ crap!” Tucker scoffed.

“Anybody in uniform who doesn’t support this war is a traitor. You’re worse than those anti-war assholes back home,” the Sergeant countered.

“It’s a free country. I have the right to free speech." 

“You don’t have any rights. You follow orders – period!” the Sergeant bellowed.

“You’re lucky that bullshit letter from the commie-loving Senator hasn’t been ripped up, Ben,” Luke interjected.

Ben cringed. “That's private. It’s inside my footlocker.”

Sergeant Kaminski pointed. “THAT isn’t private property. It belongs to the U.S. Government.”

“Well, I still have the right to my opinion.”

"Only if you keep it to yourself. We don’t want to hear it!”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Nov 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781977271273

Ben Thieu Long

Ben Thieu Long was born in Chicago and spent three years in college before being drafted into the Army in 1969. His experience in Vietnam profoundly changed his identity and confidence in his beliefs. By the end of his 13-month tour of duty, Ben returned home a drastically changed young man. However, Ben also developed the strength and resilience to persist in the face of adversity. Insights gleaned from his experience reinforced his courage and determination to overcome failures. He learned an important lesson about choices and responses - a person may not always make wise decisions, but he can grow and mature. 

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13 Moons Over Vietnam: 12th Moon ~ Volatile

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2024 Ben Thieu Long

v2.0

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

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Cover & interior images © 2024 Ben Thieu Long. All rights reserved - used with permission.

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Table of Contents

Preface: 12th Moon

Introduction: 12th Moon ~ Volatile

Chapter 171: WORTHLESS: Currency Exchange

Chapter 172: REFUSE OF WAR: The Orphanage

Chapter 173: TIGHT SPACES: Against the Wall

Chapter 174: THEATER: The Ogre and the Damsel

Chapter 175: INFIGHTING: War Within a War

Chapter 176: AN INVITATION: The Slaughterhouse

Chapter 177: THE DINNER: Strangers to Friends

Chapter 178: QUANDARY: In the Quarry

Chapter 179: END OF THE TRAIL: Beside Still Waters

Chapter 180: UNFORGETTABLE: From the River

Chapter 181: CHANCE OR FATE: Timing is Everything

Chapter 182: ELUSIVE PREY: Into the River

Chapter 183: WHATEVER IT TAKES: Determined

Chapter 184: IN A FLASH: Without Thinking

Chapter 185: UNPREDICTABLE: Stumbling in the Dark

Chapter 186: REQUIEM: Something Lost

Glossary

Author Biography

Preface: 12th Moon

Thirteen Moons over Vietnam is a thirteen-volume series based on a military policeman’s tour of duty which highlights the moral and emotional effects of war. The stories are based on the author’s experience, but all names are changed to protect privacy. The Letters Home, however, accurately depict the original correspondence to his wife.

Ben Thieu Long (pseudonym) believed he was prepared for war but faltered in his response to temptation and moral choices. When his behaviors betrayed his values and commitments, Ben’s sense of morality and spiritual well-being steadily slipped away.

Although this is one soldier’s experience, these stories and letters are representative of trials faced by generations of veterans during war.

Introduction:

12th Moon ~ Volatile

Volatile – likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly, especially by getting worse. Prolonged exposure to the stress of unpredictable circumstances affects individuals in unhealthy ways. Despite a person’s determination and skills of adaptation, dealing with an uncertain and threatening environment has detrimental effects. Emotional fatigue, aggravated by bouts of anxiety, erode sound judgment and resilience.

After 11 months in-country, Ben’s continuous exposure to uncertainty left him emotionally erratic. Friend and foe were sometimes difficult to distinguish. Each daily patrol, although usually safe, nevertheless still posed a risk of harm.

Ben was whipsawed throughout his 12th month by intense encounters. Although some experiences were unexpectedly positive, others were so unsettling that Ben’s judgment varied dramatically. His response to several of these situations fluctuated unpredictably from his more noble intention. Ben’s sense of psychological and moral well-being was further undermined by the incongruence between his behaviors and values. Ben struggled with a disturbing realization – his clarity for his convictions had drifted out of focus.

Bien Hoa Combined Police Force Operational Area

171

WORTHLESS:

Currency Exchange

November 1, 1970

Short-timer

One more day I can mark off my short-timer calendar, Bruce Bugliano gleefully declared as their jeep approached Long Binh’s main gate.

Ben nodded at the 615 MPs and rolled onto the highway. Look at that awesome sunrise. Why would you want to leave this beautiful place?

Bruce scowled. Always the smart ass! If you love these Vietnam sunrises so much, why don’t you re-up and volunteer for another tour?

Now who’s being a smart ass?

You’re gonna miss me, Bruce teased.

That’s too true to be a joke! So, how short are you today?

That depends on whether we can trust Tricky Dicky. Under the current rules, I’ve got sixty-five days left. But if Nixon’s campaign promise to bring more troops home before Christmas goes into effect, I could be under thirty already.

Ben thoughtfully shook his head. Wow, I can’t believe you’re that close.

It’s about time I get outta this place. I feel like I’ve been in Vietnam forever.

I know the feeling. I didn’t dare think about DEROS for a long time. I was afraid that might jinx me.

Bruce rolled his eyes. It was depressing at the start of my tour to even think about being here for three sixty-five.

Nearly four hundred for me, Ben grumbled.

That’s your fault. I don’t understand why anyone would volunteer to spend more time here.

I wanted to get out of the Army as soon as possible and, at the time, extending my tour gave me a hundred and fifty-day early-out.

That would’ve done you no good if you’d been injured or killed.

That was a calculated risk, but one I was willing to take.

Well, since you’re such a risk-taking gung-ho guy, you should pull this driver over, Bruce chuckled, pointing at a deuce-and-a-half.

Ben glanced resentfully toward his partner but hit the siren switch. Okay, you’re the senior MP.

And don’t you forget it!

Maybe you should re-up and continue your power trip!

Just do your job!

Bruce inspected the driver’s documents but only issued a warning about speeding.

I’m surprised you didn’t write him up, Ben teased.

I’m not bucking for a promotion. I just wanted to flex my muscles.

Ben pointed toward a jeep speeding in the opposite direction. Want me to stop that one, too?

Bruce shook his head. That jeep has Logistics markings. We don’t want to make trouble for the Night Convoy team.

I hear ya! I was one of those guys locked out in the rain. (See 10th Moon: Ambivalence, Story 146 ~ Spiteful).

The MPs aggressively patrolled the Alpha One sector, pulling over several more vehicles during the early morning hours.

At ten-hundred hours, Bruce coyly suggested, Let’s go to the 90th Replacement PX and see if Mi Wa is working.

Ben wheeled the jeep around. By the way, Mi Wa’s family sure threw you a great birthday party. (See 11th Moon: Epiphany, Story 166 ~ Family).

I wish I could take her home with me, but it’s just not in the cards, Bruce sighed.

Yeah, your shortened tour ruined that plan. There’s not enough time to get the paperwork completed now.

Bruce shrugged, and a forlorn expression crossed his face. Getting her to the States was a long shot anyway.

He’s bummed, but I’m not sure taking Mi Wa with him would’ve worked out in the long run.

Alpha One, this is Papa Mike Oscar. Over, the radio crackled.

Bruce grabbed the mic. This is Alpha One. Over.

Alpha One, return to the Company area.

Roger that. Over. A quizzical expression crossed Bruce’s face. That’s strange.

Maybe they’re sending you home today, Ben quipped. I guess the PX will have to wait.

Ben turned the jeep around and drove to the main gate. He parked in the Company area, and they entered HQ.

Sergeant Bruffer, the NCO on Duty, eyed the pair. Well, if it isn’t my most likely suspects.

Now what? Ben anxiously wondered under his breath.

We haven’t done anything wrong lately, Bruce whispered.

Unexpected

The Sergeant enjoyed their evident anxiety. The military is conducting a currency exchange today. You have five minutes to get money from your locker and report back here. This is your only chance to convert your MPC (military paper currency). Otherwise, your money will be worthless.

Ben and Bruce exchanged wary glances and hurried out of HQ.

That was unexpected. I thought we were in trouble, Ben stated.

Bruce nodded. We better get a move on.

They entered the hooch and found several off-duty men engaged in a heated discussion.

But some of my cash is with my girl in Tam Hiep, Henry Holt complained.

It doesn’t matter. The exchange is right now, Sergeant Karl Kaminski curtly replied.

I don’t understand what’s happening, another soldier stammered.

Of course, he doesn’t. He’s an FNG!

Currency exchange is supposed to curtail criminal enterprises. It voids criminals’ wads of illegal profits from the black market, Luke Horvat tersely explained.

The new guy stared in confusion. Black market?

Some GIs illegally resell PX items to the Vietnamese for a marked-up profit. That’s the black market.

Our own guys do that?

I’m an expert in the black market but don’t dare share my experiences. Ben stepped past the group and went to his footlocker.

Luke rolled his eyes. Cherries! They’re so dumb it’s ridiculous.

The new guy frowned. It’s not my fault I’m new.

Get with the program! Henry snarled.

Luke snapped, Cut the FNG some slack! If YOU were so smart, you wouldn’t have so much cash stuffed in a sock at your girlfriend’s house.

It’s not fair to spring an exchange without warning! Henry shot back.

Not giving a warning is the main point, soldier! Sergeant Kaminski barked. Otherwise, the currency exchange would be a meaningless exercise. It wouldn’t catch criminals by surprise and punish them for hoarding ill-gotten gains.

There hasn’t been one exchange during my time here, Henry grumbled, dejectedly shaking his head.

Sergeant Kaminski laughed. Shit, man! That should have been a clue that one was overdue.

How am I supposed to get my money in Tam Hiep? The exchange is required before I’m allowed to go off post.

You should’ve invested your extra cash in liquid capital, Ted Francisco advised.

Liquid capital? the Sergeant challenged.

Geesh, I bet Ted’s sorry he opened his mouth.

A sheepish look crossed Ted’s face. Some guys buy bottles of whiskey or extra cartons of cigarettes that can be easily resold for a hefty profit. I even know one guy who buys gold at a jewelry store in Bien Hoa to protect his earnings.

Ben retrieved his cash from the footlocker and drew near the boisterous group. Ted reminds me of my friend Mark Monroe from the 300th. He was always looking for angles to make money. (See 2nd Moon: Temptation, Story 30 ~ Power Addiction).

That activity is illegal, Francisco! the Sergeant bellowed.

Ted defensively threw up his hands. I don’t do it! I’m just saying that’s what some guys do to protect their extra cash.

Ted should be careful. In a Company of MPs, it’s wiser to be ignorant than too knowledgeable.

Sergeant Kaminski turned and growled at the stunned new guy. Cherry, I don’t ever want to hear you’re doing that, or I’ll arrest you myself!

The Cherry stepped back, wide-eyed and trembling.

Sergeant Kaminski has a double standard! He’ll arrest a guy for trying to make a few bucks in the black market, but he’s okay with stealing stuff from other GIs. (See 6th Moon: Friction, Story 86 ~ Requisition).

Sarge, maybe you should ease up, Luke cautioned. This is getting out of hand.

Sergeant Kaminski lunged toward Luke but stopped short of swinging at him. We’re MPs! We’re supposed to enforce the laws, not share ways to work around them.

Time to make a move here! Ben stepped into the group. Speaking of enforcing the law, I’m heading back to HQ to exchange my small amount of cash.

Sergeant Kaminski pointed at Ben. This is the example I suggest you follow, Cherry!

Ben smiled as he left the hooch. Rule One – play the part. Maintaining a good disguise is the best defense.

Ben entered HQ and waited in line to exchange his money. When he reached the counter, the financial specialist recited the familiar warning. You only get one opportunity to participate in the currency exchange. Are you surrendering all your legally earned money?

Yes, this is all I have, Ben replied, handing over thirty-five MPC dollars.

The financial specialist counted Ben’s money and issued an equal amount stamped with the new MPC design. Sign here that you’ve completed the exchange.

Ben signed the document. ‘When is the new MPC in effect?"

These bills are in effect now. And, as of oh-seven hundred, the old currency is worthless.

Too bad for Henry! He won’t get to exchange his stash for spendable MPC. His cash in Tam Hiep is already worthless.

Frantic

Report to the PMO before returning to the highway, Sergeant Bruffer ordered.

Ben parked at the PMO and entered the building.

You are to relieve SP-18 for the currency exchange, the Desk Sergeant directed.

Ben nodded. Roger that.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ben noticed several National Policemen huddled in the Common room. Hey,