Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition (Initial Situation)
Where They're At
Robin Perry, a.k.a. Birdy, is in Kuwait, waiting to be sent into Iraq…maybe. They still don't know if dictator Saddam Hussein will surrender and they'll get sent home. And they don't know what they'll do if they do go into Iraq. All they get are some very confusing Rules of Engagement and a bunch of vague speeches.
No wonder Birdy's nervous.
Rising Action (Conflict, Complication)
War Is A Battlefield
There's no room for love—or even a vague crush on squadmate Marla— in Birdy's life. He's too busy trying to carry out his missions and stay alive when there are people trying to kill him. (Yeah: that would take up a lot of headspace.)
Each time his squad goes on a mission, neither Birdy nor the reader knows whether it will end in gunfire or a soccer game with some Iraqi children. The conflict is a constant, lurking threat.
Climax (Crisis, Turning Point)
Secret Mission
Birdy's squad is sent to a resort-like complex for a few days…which would be nice, except that everyone talking about how soldiers are sent there when they're about to do something dangerous.
Yikes. That makes the whole idea of free junk food and extra nap time less appealing.
Then they're given vague orders and are sent to a camp near Iran, where they negotiate a staged "rescue" of village children in exchange for detonators. It doesn't end well.
Falling Action
Too Little, Too Late
Jonesy's dead, killed while heroically trying to save a blind kid. Shortly after, there's his funeral. It all seems to happen way too fast:
There weren't enough tears within what was left of our squads to wash away the moment; and all the prayers and words of comfort were not enough to hold the griefs we shared. (15.34)
Oof.
Resolution (Denouement)
Moving On (Sort of)
Birdy's squad disperses, each person getting a new assignment. Many of them are done with combat and move into training roles.
Birdy doesn't even know what his next assignment is, only that he's going to be treated for his injury. It feels like things will never be resolved, and Birdy writes a letter to his uncle that he'll never send.
Um, you were looking for a happy ending? Yeah. Try a different book.