The Bureaucracy of War
While other combat narratives focus primarily on the individual in battle, much of Redeployment considers the logistical elements of the American war effort in Iraq. A clear chain of command is established, and characters are forced to work around the vast army network in order to accomplish their job. For example, the protagonist of "Money as a Weapons System" must respond to the demand of multiple authority figures in order to complete his assigned task in Iraq. As a whole, Klay suggests that war is not just a singular act involving a soldier and a gun, but a complex and complicated bureaucratic system.
Religion as a Coping Strategy
In "Prayer in the Furnace," a Marine named Rodriguez undergoes considerable stress following the death of his friend and fellow soldier during a tour of duty in Iraq. He is one of many in his company who are struggling under particularly brutal and blood-thirsty leadership. Yet instead of approaching traditional psychiatric counseling services, Rodriguez approaches the company's chaplain. Together they debate theology and the chaplain offers sage advice. It is revealed that the chaplain himself is going through a personal crisis and must deeply reflect on his faith in order to find peace. As is suggested, religion and faith are often the most potent ways to cope with trauma.
The Division Between Soldier and Civilian
In a theme which carries across several of the collection's stories, characters reveal a deep disconnect with the civilians around them following their time in combat. For example, in "War Stories" Jenks struggles to share his own war stories with an actress who wants to stage a play about the War in Iraq. Another character angrily responds to a question about PTSD saying, "There's PTSD too... if you believe the New York Times. Both examples suggest that the characters reveal an inability to connect with civilians around them, and that war bridges a deep divide between those who have experienced it, and those who have not.
The Effect of War on Relationships
Though women feature in Redeployment far less prominently in men, they are often portrayed as love interests of soldiers. Rachel, for example, is the ex-girlfriend of a veteran who was stationed with Mortuary Affairs in Iraq. As is suggested across numerous stories, war acts as an incredible strain on relationships. There are portrayals of domestic abuse and other manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, all of which damage the connection between soldier and lover. While it is one thing to return home from war safely, Klay suggests it is another to return home with romantic relationships intact.
Soldier's Guilt
When returning home from his tour of duty, the protagonist of the collection's titular story sees the father of a soldier that died during the tour. Instead of approaching the man, the protagonist turns away and avoids him. As this act indicates, many soldiers feel guilt upon returning home from duty realizing that other's deaths could have been their own. Yet the guilt extends beyond this, as several characters in the collection obsess over their actions in combat. For example, the protagonist of "Psychological Operations" feels deeply ashamed of the ways in which he taunted Iraqi citizens during his posting, and the protagonist of "Redeployment" regrets killing dogs. While they returned home safely, they are addled with survivor's guilt.
