In Chapter Five and onward, we see Billy's son Robert become a Green Beret. Billy's son and his accomplishment are mentioned many times in these chapters. Even though Billy experienced tragedy and emotional trauma during the war, he still seems to support his son making the decision to join the military.
"One result of this act would be the birth of Robert Pilgrim, who would become a problem in high school, but would then straighten out as a member of the famous Green Berets" (p.118).
Even after experiencing the horrors of war, Billy still seems to support his son's decision. Perhaps Billy is happy with Robert simply because he is a more successful member of the military than he was. Billy was weak and incompetent throughout his experience, and to see his son stonger and a better soldier than he was must make Billy proud. If your child decided to join the military after you experience war, would you support them?
I know how I would feel about that, because my sister was in the military for four years. She did not see much action but was in Afghanistan for one year and traveled through eastern Europe and Russia. It was hard because we couldn't write her and she could write us. So we did know who she was or where she was until she got to Japan. I would make sure they knew what they were getting them selves into. Then sit them down with her and others that had been to war. And if they still wanted to to go to war then I would been okay with it, because they fully understand what they are getting themselves into.
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