School of War Ep 212: Arnold Punaro on Fighting in Vietnam and Washington
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Jul 4, 2025 
Arnold Punaro, a retired USMC Major General with 35 years of military experience, shares gripping tales of his service in Vietnam and later in Washington, D.C. He recounts intense jungle battles, the camaraderie among soldiers, and his harrowing injuries. Punaro discusses the complexities of decision-making in wartime and the emotional toll on returning veterans. He also addresses the intricacies of the Senate confirmation process, emphasizing the need for qualified leaders in government and advocating for reforms to improve military reporting accuracy.
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Training Grit in Vietnam Jungle
- Training in officer candidate school and basic school included jungle patrolling but wasn't fully adequate for actual combat conditions.
- Punaro relied heavily on land navigation skills to avoid getting lost in Vietnam's triple canopy jungle without GPS or electronic tools.
Jungle Warfare with Undermanned Platoon
- Punaro’s platoon in Vietnam was severely understrength, often having only 25 Marines instead of 50, many being draftees with low ranks like corporals.
- They conducted daily jungle patrols, ambushes, and relied heavily on navigation skills without modern equipment.
Enemy Toughness Underrated
- The North Vietnamese Army and Chinese soldiers were extremely tough, battle-hardened fighters, contrary to some modern assumptions.
- Underestimating the enemy’s combat experience and toughness is a grave mistake.
