The ending is satisfying, but the beginning felt a bit like filler. Really love the choice of character though, and definitely would have read more. For me, I came away wondering if the main character really had any action at all.
I can see what you mean about the first part, but the juxtaposition between the idealized notion of war and the reality of it is the core of the story. And I think this was the easiest way to show it.
