When I was kid I cut grass for a guy that was tunnel rat. I was aware what the job was and how dangerous it was from reading. In my youthful ignorance I asked the man what it was like. His response, I still remember over 25 years later: “I dunno man, I was high the whole time.” Its still the most Vietnam vet thing I’ve ever heard.

when you sneeze in vietnam and the trees say bless you

My husband was 5’3”. He was drafted in Vietnam war. He weighed 115 lbs. they made him go in the tunnels once. He said they could put him in stockade but would never go in the tunnels again. He won two bronze stars for his bravery. Said the tunnels were what nightmares were made of

My dad was a tunnel rat with the Australian army, he never talked about his time in Vietnam and it wasn't until I was in my 30s that I even found out he was in Vietnam. He then only told me a couple of stories . I have pictures of him though from when he was there. This made me understand more why he never spoke of it. My dad was a very brave man. I miss him loads.

"We need new tunnel rats" 500 dudes start furiously lifting weights. "Sorry too big."

Seeing these tunnels in real life is terrifying, the traps they made are scarier and more complex at the actual site

"CW Bowman is gone and he's not coming back." that man sacrified himself to save two of the best soldiers i've ever seen in my entire life.

I am Vietnamese. It's not difficult to get information about the war in my country. The US military has released a lot of Agent Orange to clear the forest. and now that poison is passed on to our present life. The US and Vietnam are making great efforts to overcome those consequences and look towards the future together

I'm a Vietnamese and I visited those tunnels back when I was a student. The tunnel was very small so, even as a skinny kid, even I was scared of getting stuck down there. I can't imagine how scary it is being a tunnel rat, just the thought of getting stuck and knowing that you are in enemy's territory terrifies me. Hopefully no more war so no one have to suffer like people of the past did 🙏

This is like all my fears put into one. Can’t even imagine.

I am Vietnamese and I had the opportunity to visit the tunnels once when I was a primary school student. Even though I was an elementary school student with a small body, it was difficult for me to move and after about 10 minutes I started to feel panic and breathless. It was an unforgettable experience for me

I know the feeling when they said, somebody's gotta do it. I was that someone in Iraq. When he mentioned that 33% I think the scariest moments weren't even the mission itself on patrols, it was in the intel briefings that we had to go back and tell our troops concerning the mission we are about to do. They use to tell us high fatality rates and when you relay this information to the men, everyone is looking at each other thinking....some of us wont make it back. I can't even describe the anticipation and uneasiness that everyone felt at that moment. You have to tell young kids this who enlisted and havent even drunk their first beer or voted yet. Still gives me nightmares to this day. Shout out to the servicemen and women who do the jobs a lot of people wouldn't do!

Now we know why Rambo went crazy.

My wife’s father was a tunnel rat and was a marine and came out unharmed and he was just this amazing man to be around and hear stories about he has past now but we visit his grave every year to thank him and pay our respects

I am Vietnamese and my grandfather was farmer and working in the planing and strategy of the tunnel system and designing amount of differnt traps. The stories that he told me is just simply unforgetable.

He is actually a way better story teller then my history teacher.

My father was a tunnel rat. He just passed away in December. He never talked about what happened in war and kept his trauma to himself. It wasn't till the last few months that I found out he was one. I wish he would have talked about it more. He suffered severe ptsd, complications from agent orange, shrapnel on the back of his legs. In the end he was diagnosed as severe bi polar with delusions. RIP dad ❤

This reminds me of the the COD Black Ops mission where you actually head down into a rat tunnel. It was terrifying to see some enemies pop out unexpectedly with Aks.

As a Vietnamese, I used to play with my grandpa when i was a kid, and he teach me how to build traps, how to use knife and poison, or even to make a hand grenade almost out of nothing, with the stuffs lying around the jungle. And HCM was right, no matter what you do, you'll lose, there is no tactical retreat, it not the matter of winning or lose, they make sure that no one dare to come back. We may under gear, the Jungle itself is a weapon and fear is it fuel. The trap you mention was just of the many, there are more than that. And some of the trap and tunnel was build for just only to lure American soldier into it, although it made to look like someone live in it, it's not, it may serve as bomb shelter but it never used for the main force, although there are so many tunnel, it can never hold all of us, you were never found it, the main HQ, you can't, because they keep moving it and build more deco along with traps, otherwise we would lose in just 1 bombarded and the war would be continued for another 30 years. Some of the trap was even fearsome for Viet Cong themselves because of how brutal it is. Some of the trap meant to keep the soldier inside, leave just only some small holes so that his scream come out and enough air in, and keep lure in more until it was completely destroyed or you left the poor man suffer to death. We still have report that kid fall under the trap after war even to this day, although most of them were safely dismantled after war and we're all grow up playing with at least 1 of those.

My grandpa was a tunnel rat in Vietnam. He made it back, and I never heard him talk about it. He died in 2012 of pancreatic cancer. Before he died, my uncle sat him down and recorded video of him talking about his experience in Vietnam. Great video

“Revolver and flashlight” *Has a flashback to the BO1 campaign mission*

Some corrections to inaccuracies: -Flashlights weren't used by the best rats because it gave away your position. So they would crawl in blind using knife or hands to feel the tunnel in front of them. -The revolver was the preferred weapon because it didn't jam - hence the 3 shot rule he talked about. If you fire more than 3 shots the enemy knew how many shots you had left in your revolver. Also they avoided using it because it would deafen you. -The tunnels were mostly impervious to gas as well, because they would build U-traps filled with water - like how a toilet or sink plumbing works.

Crazy reading all these comments and seeing everyone say a person they know was a tunnel rat and never talked about it shows how traumatizing it was for them

My good friend was 4th Force Recon, 68-69. He was sometimes a tunnel rat. He talked about the war in his later years with no filter. Man, the things he saw, heard, and did were insane. He would say that there was a primary tunnel rat on his team named “Garcia”. Garcia would go into the tunnel and come back out with a couple extra ears on his necklace.

"Only 12 Tunnel Rats survived to go back home" Everyone's dad/uncle/neighbor in the comments:

"I am the lorax. I speak for the trees, and for some reason they are speaking Vietnamese"

My grandpa was a tunnel rat. He has some good stories about Vietnam. Just now realizing how brave he was.

I thank all Vietnam Veterans. All of them went through heck...to say the least!!!!! I respect all Veterans!!!! Love all you veterans out there.

I worked with an older man at a dealership that was very short, his nickname was Shorty. I really respected him as a person, he sadly passed one day, and when we helped clear out his apartment we found a bronze star, he never once mentioned he was in the service. Come to find out he was a tunnel rat, so seeing this video brings back soo many great memories of Shorty.

My childhood neighbor was one he would tell me his horrific stories. Youre a brave man,Phill

I remember my grandfather telling me stories about Vietnam. He willingly volunteered to do two tours.. His name was Mr. Brad Matthew Baker Jr. & he was the first BLACK Vietnam War veteran to receive the purple 💜 in Greenville, SC 9/19/48-12/13/2010 rip Papa and thank you for your service.

My grandfather was in the Vietnam War. I don't show him as much respect for him as I have for him. Now I have much more respect. Now I will do as he asks and follow his footsteps and join the military as soon as I am old enough. Great video by the way!

Those that fought in that war gone through so much. The Viet Cong tunnel system is mind blowing

My uncle was a tunnel rat bye still has terrible nightmares 50 years after. He was “volunteered” because he was skinny enough to get through them well.

My uncle was a tunnel rat in Vietnam. He still wakes up with horrible nightmares 50 years later. You didn’t have to be short though in all cases. I’m sure it helped a ton. He is 6’1 or so but at the time very skinny

A very scary task to infiltrate those tunnels. To be a tunnel rat would have been so intense, there are no words. I read a book about the Viet Cong fighters spending months at a time down in the tunnels, subsisting on a handful of rice per day..... The sheer courage and endurance of the tunnel fighters on both sides cannot possibly be overstated.

Its especially dangerous when your Captain starts talking to his Russian imaginary friend

Imagine going in one and theres a whole shopping mall with people shopping and stuff

vietnamese was real heroes. Being vastly outnumbered, suffering constant lack of resources, they managed to defeat the dark hordes, and defended their right for life and freedom. They was really wise and fearless warriors, worth to be honored as a real heroes.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting one what a great man with many good stories. He had a lot of health problems related

imagine being 18 years old and being drafted to go to the vietnam war just to die. crazy

The vietcong soldiers are playing terraria before it's even made.

Imagine living down there for months with all those creatures, Agent Orange, and shelling above. The vietnamese fighters were brave for going through all that

Now THATS what I call the power of Nature!

Imagine being a tunnel rat, and then that one soldier throws a grenade inside the tunnel you hide in.

He’d be lucky if the enemy doesn’t see his flashlight first.

Really Great documentary man. Respect to all Vietnam Vets!

That looks like an absolutely terrifying thing to do! I can't see myself ever doing it

"Snakes and painful-biting bugs" Guns: *Am I a joke to you?*

My grandfather felt sorry for having to fight them. Said he hated his government for throwing him and his friends lives away. Making them fight an enemy that didnt even want to fight them. He only hated them when he was there but when he got back he grew to forgive them. Dont blame the soldier, blame the man in charge.

R.I.P. Robert Walker, Marine, Tunnel Rat, Fort Worth, Texas, 12/16/2021, P.S. also a Dallas Cowboy's Football fan.

Dudes, whenever I’m busy doing my homework, I always listen to this and still don’t what I learned from my classes.

7:28 as soon as I heard bowman I immediately thought of black ops 1

Everyone: wow they had a hard job Me: *Claustrophobia intensifies*

These tunnels are now an attraction to the public. I had the pleasure of visiting them and it was an impressive wonder of engineering.

The story of tunnel rats have always been the most interesting and are of just a few that make me uneasy feeling just hearing them

My great grandfather was a tunnel rat. I'll never forget some of the stories he told me.

How good would a "Tunnel Rat" horror FPS be, just sayin, food for devs thoughts

I was in vietnam in the U.S. marines as a tunnel rat. We all got nicknames mine was the grim reaper. I was a teenager and had to grow up fast.

Shout out to "Big" Al Parks of Tacoma. Worked with this badass in Federal Way and enjoyed his tunnel rat stories. Dude caught hold of a live venomous snake at the entrance to a tunnel with his bare hands. After they killed it, he started back in and his friend made his ears ring by firing next to his ear (at the 2nd venomous snake that had been left at the entrance). Al could sleep with eyes open, which freaked me out until I realized he learned how to do that because Charlie would have gotten him if had slept with eyes shut! Much respect old-timer! Hope you're still kicking it!

Going into one of those tunnels would be my worst nightmare. The people who went down there are on a different level from me. Nothing but admiration for how they put fear to one side and did their job !

I just remember "Victor Charlie" campaign in Call of Duty : Black Ops where Mason and Swift infiltrated a rat tunnel.

Absolutely amazing level of bravery from these servicemen.

My uncle was a tunnel rat for over 2 years, the man has some amazingly scary stories.

They were always looking for this guy named Charlie.

The Tunnel Rats: "Yay! We cleared one!" Sasquatch: "Congrats. I saw it all, but you did not see me."

when you sneeze and the pile of grass says bless you

Had a friend's brother was a tunnel rat. He was never the same afterwards. RIP Doug W. And all his Brothers.

The fact that the fatality rate was 33 doesn’t count the losing your limbs rate.

My Great Uncle was one of the 12 men that came back to tell the stories of being a tunnel rat. Captain Grant F. Cleverly,

Those tunnels are unreal, cool

Nothing but respect for these brave men who were above and beyond crazy as ....... I imagine going down the first time was incredibly hard. But going down after experiencing some of these horrors, well that must have been downright terrifying torture

*Demn, this new "Home alone" movie seems brutal*

Shout out to all the little guys out there! I would never mess with a rat terrier, and I would never in a mess with the little dude like you!

I know a fellow that was a Tunnel Rat in Nam. He was Infantry when he got there. Upon arrival they took a look at this guy that was 5ft 1in tall, weight of maybe 120lbs soaking wet and "asked" him to volunteer as a Tunnel Rat. He said that it was not something he was interested in doing. They agreed that he didn't "have" to. They then assured him that the whole time he was In-Country they were going to assign him to far more dangerous and worse jobs. He considered his options and "volunteered". He was great at what he did and served two enlistments over there. He survived it all. I am so proud to say I know this man. Willie, if you ever read this I just want you to know how well-respected you are!!. I have told him in that in person a few times but he always down plays it as if it wasn't a big deal.

Ummmm These 'Jumping jacks' Are better known As 'bouncing Bettys' to us Gamers

My dad’s cousin was a tunnel rat. My dad said before he went to Vietnam he was the life of the party all the time. Funny guy who just always made the party better. When he came back, my dad said his cousin only came around the bars a few times and wouldn’t talk much. He ended up taking his own life a few months after he returned.

It’s weird how many people in the comments knew a rat tunnel lol

There's a interview with a tunnel rat very interesting to see how doing that kind of job with that stress does to the human mind.

I should be surprised that the first Tunnel Rats were Australians but judging from their badass history I'm just impressed

When I was about 8 or 9, the much older neighbor kids had dug a deep, "U" shaped tunnel & dared me to crawl all the way through it. I remember crawling in & at the midway point, there was a huge root blocking the way, otherwise I would have made it through. That was many years ago & now all I can do is think about how lucky I am that it didn't cave in on me, thanks to God!!

We got to make a movie outta this .

5:25 love the throwback!

Thanks for making this. My grandpa on my mother's side was a tunnel rat in the vietnam war. I still have his army issue knife, the only thing I have left of him.

My poppy was an Aussie tunnel rat. He’s still shaken obviously but if we ask, he’ll talk about the job briefly - no specifics. We rarely ask. He was a royal engineer, and when he came home, he became an instructor at Pakapunyal while he and my gran, mum and her sisters lived on base. Even though I despise war and the reasonings people give for fighting, I’m so incredibly proud of him for doing what he thought was right and coming out alive and even mostly (physically) okay.

Congratulations to Vietnamese people who pulled this genius way out It's literary Awesomene

My grandmas brother was a tunnel rat the stories he’s got are so wild

This video is pure sweat, fear inducing for people that suffer taphephobia (getting buried alive). I can’t and don’t want to imagine what they must have gone through

A old man i used to help was a tunnel rat

Now we know why Thomas Shelby is so crazy

My good friend Ronnie Giles , RIP , was a tunnel rat, quiet unassuming gentleman, met him during our acting days in New York. He didn’t tell me any particulars and I know why. He will be missed.

I’m not claustrophobic but even just the animation of those tunnels made my man parts tingle like I was looking off the side of a 10,000 foot drop.

“Have you ever seen a Vietnamese giant centipede?” Why yes, yes I have his name is Raad and he’s my pet. Not as bad as you think just don’t let one chomp down on you, it’s not pleasant!

Our history teacher said that she would invite Vietnam veterans to talk to our class. I live in a small community so the there aren't that many to come to our class. One of the ones she invited but never came back, because the students were disrespectful was a tunnel rat. Sounds like it was so bad he broke down and refused to talk about his experience. That is what peaked my interest in this video. I was shocked to hear that not many made it back.

God bless you Terry Lowe and Merry Christmas!

As scary as the tunnels must’ve been you gotta hand it to those Vietnamese for being able to survive in the jungle like that.

everyone is talking about "how hard becoming a tunnel rat volunteer". but nobody talking about how hard digging, living, and moving as vietnamese soldier

This is good info/history worst nightmare than entering Amazon..never heard of it before

My grandfather fought in nom. He doesn’t talk about it much but the few story’s he has are pretty horrible. Including a mine that blew up his friend 6 feet in front of him friend died Grampa got shrapnel in his legs but didn’t lose them.

I watched this with my grandfather He said "Well I'm glad I went to Panama so I didn't have to do that."