The Things They Carried

What is the effect of O’Brien’s use of abbreviations and acronyms: R&R, SOP, M&Ms, USO, Psy Ops, KIA?

I think there's other abbreviations too but I don't need specific ones. Just asking why he uses them

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The use of abbreviations and acronyms lend a air of reality. These abbreviations and acronyms were the "language" of the soldiers.... this is how the soldiers talked. Thus, O'Brien is writing with the actual words (acronyms/ abbreviations) the men used in the field.