[Utah Bob]

Certainly infiltration was a problem but in my opinion the main impediment to the success of the South Vietnamese Army was leadership. Command positions being handed out to political cronies, nepotism, corruption, etc. led to incompetent leaders in critical positions on a scale reminiscent of France in WWI or the early days of the American Civil War.

Troops in any society will follow and be inspired by good leaders. Giving them training and equipment is pouring water down a bottomless hole if their leaders are not up to the task.

I worked with some ARVN Officers and NCOs who were hard chargers. Alas, most were not.