Tyler talks with veteran and author Steven Andrews about his unique historical fiction book, See the Light, Kiss the Ground. Andrews shares what it was like being drafted in 1969, thrust into leadership as an E-6 Staff Sergeant, and using his contemporaneous notes to capture the realities of combat, gallows humor, and moral injury.
Key Takeaways
The "Shake and Bake" Route: The Army's urgent need for small-unit leaders rushed Andrews through NCO school straight into Vietnam as an inexperienced E-6.
Docu-Novel Format: The book pairs fictional combat timelines with real historical events like Kent State and the My Lai trials.
Processing Trauma: Andrews discusses how writing honest letters home and documenting his experiences acted as a critical pressure release.
Veterans Across Eras: A comparison of the hostile homecomings Vietnam veterans faced versus today's community support.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.
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