There are many more, but these are the ones who move to the forefront most often. The destruction of war is not just limited to men, but flora and fauna as well. A shot of a bloodied and crippled bird crawling on the ground during a combat sequence. And one is even saddened to see the tall brush being trampled or cut apart by gunfire, due to the way that cinematographer John Toll has filmed it beautifully, like the rest of the film. The answers aren't easy and Malick doesn't set out to make his unlikeable characters in the wrong, nor does he make his likeable characters in the right.
Outcomes are solid, but no approaches are determined.
Another interesting philosophical aspect of the film is its treatment of individual bravery. Welsh risks his life to provide morphine to a dying soldier yet violently rejects any thought of being honored for it. Tall barks out plans to award Silver Stars and Purple Hearts as though they were citations for good driving. In most war films, the most exciting scenes often come when one soldier builds adrenaline and takes charge to save the company. Here, the viewer winces, because honoring bravery lies so low on the chain for most of these soldiers.