Many summers ago I found myself in the local university library.  I was quite young and don’t really remember why I was there, but even at that age I was drawn to the military history section.  Perusing the books there, I ran across a book that contained a description of what must have been a US Army Long-Range Patrol (LRP).  The book was paperback, and was probably there for the benefit of the local ROTC program.  My memory of it is rather faded except for the fact that I can recall a description of a small group of men far behind enemy lines.  They had identified some suspicious activity and were watching a wooded area.  Armed men were moving in and out of it, and the team called in artillery on the area.  The description went on to note that a few bad guys (I don’t know if they were NVA or VC) scrambled out.  More artillery was called, and more bad guys scrambled out.  The team made the decision to really pound the suspect area with artillery, and what followed was essentially the description of what a kid might find when poking an ant hill with a stick.  The story made an impression which has stayed with me ever since. 

The book must have been a summary of LRP engagements, though I simply don’t remember.  However, when Osprey Publishing sent US Army Long-Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965-71 to me for review, I scooped it up immediately.  Like most Osprey titles, this one is succinct.  Tipping the scale at 64 pages, it isn’t long, but is packed with information.  Written by a retired Special Forces serviceman who served on LRPs, it is written in a relaxed tone that one might hear when chatting with an uncle over a couple of drinks after a holiday meal.  It has a matter of fact tone that’s clear, to the point, yet relaxed.  The descriptions have a “been there” feel to them without being tired or boastful.  It’s the kind of quiet professionalism one finds in heroes who know they’ve seen some tough spots but don’t think of their deeds as “heroic”.

The book begins with an introduction as to why LRPs were needed in Vietnam, then goes on to describe how men for the units were recruited, trained, and assigned.  There is a chapter on appearance, since most LRP units enjoyed some variations in uniform and appearance.  The book goes on to list some of the details soldiers in a LRP unit would experience, from equipment, morale, mission purpose, planning, and living conditions.  The author describes the purpose of most patrols was to remain unseen throughout a mission, but the final section of the book describes what a “typical” incident might look like when contact with the enemy was experienced.

LRP patrols, while not the central focus of the Vietnam war, had a major impact on it.  The ability of a few men to slip hidden behind enemy lines, scout enemy force dispositions, recover downed pilots or POWs, and to distract, harass, and otherwise act as “force multipliers” on the battlefield gave US forces a significant tool in its arsenal.  LRP patrols were not without detractors:  there was strong criticism that the resources these patrols consumed were not worth the effort, but an examination of those issues lies outside the scope of this book.  US Army Long-Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965-71 is a terrific resource for someone interested in the period who is seeking a quick overview and fact check with regard to training, use, uniform variation, equipment, and mission.  Readers with familiarity with the Vietnam War will find this a handy resource for a quick overview of LRPs without a lot of “war story” distraction.  Gamers seeking background information and military history buffs will find it a solid addition to their libraries.  Readers seeking a narrative of action stories won’t find much here – the single description of an engagement with the enemy is illustrative of how LRPs handled the issue of being identified and pursued by enemy forces, but the five or so pages devoted to the subject are there to edify how such things might be handled.  US Army Long-Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965-71 is, like other Osprey titles in the Warrior series, intended to provide insight into the individuals of the conflict.  To that end it does so in a well-written, easy to read style shared by someone who lived it.  Readers can’t ask for more than that.