Who are the first two people Perry meets enroute to combat duty?

In "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, the first two people Perry meets en route to combat duty are his fellow soldiers, Norman Bowker and Mitchell Sanders. Bowker serves as a metaphorical guide for Perry, introducing him to the realities of war and the camaraderie among soldiers. Their interactions highlight the emotional burdens they carry and set the stage for the experiences that will profoundly impact them during the Vietnam War.