I am in my late sixties, never served anywhere. So take ignorance for granted.

What I am curious about is the expression "outside the wire"

I could be wrong but there seems to be among the deskies in Canberra that if you were rarely outside the wire you couldnt have been stressed or affected by service in Vietnam.

I would like to hear your opinions.

Thanks

Belfast.

I'm a similar age... What does the expression "outside the wire" mean?

Outside the wire refers to the perimeter 'fence' around a base. Inside it you are theoretically safe. Outside it you are on patrol, doing intelligence gathering, fighting ambushes and mines, etc. If your job inside the wire keeps you there such as cook, quartermaster, any kind of support really then it is possible that people who have never been in such conditions think it is some kind of holiday, you could never get stressed much less fragged. I am hoping to hear from men who were inside, or outside, or both.
Belfast.