book vs movie

I found that I was able to understand the movie alot better vs the book. I feel the movie gave me a more realistic view on what was happening. It was more clear to describe the tragic things that were going on, by viewing the movie now I some what understand the book. My personal feeling to the real vietnam war is we went in with no plan or any sence of direction. The orders were just kill,kill, kill. It's funny that in todays war, we went in for a mission to get a few main induviduals, and so far we have. We have made a great deal of accomplishments. It also seems that we are no longer in sight where our mission is now. The orders are still kill,kill,kill but in the same aspect we are getting ourself killed... We are kind of repeating history over and over again with hopes to get it right one day. Please dont get me wrong. I really do appreciate the troops giving up there life for us. That is why we inlist in the millitary. In the same light, looking back my question is "Have we really made a difference in some way in all the wars in general? WW1, WW2, Civle war, Vietnam, Desert storm, and todays war. Or have we exhausted ourselfs into thinking we still have a mission? Any one understand me? I come form a proud millitary family line and I have seen the good and the bad when we return. I myself was talked out of going into the army, I would have went to Desert Storm...