Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Classes — All 17 Roles Explained
Published 2026-09-214 min read
All 17 Hell Let Loose: Vietnam classes: command, infantry, armor, recon, mortar and helicopter roles for US and NVA, with what each role does in a squad.
What classes are in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam?
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has 17 specialised roles split across six categories — Command, Infantry, Armor, Recon, Mortar and Helicopter — and both the US and NVA run the identical 17-role structure. You pick a role inside a squad, and the category defines where you spawn from, what you build, and what your squad expects from you. The structure below follows the community Detailed Guide on Steam (checked September 21, 2026, Update 1.5).
Command and Infantry roles
| Role | Category | Job in one line |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Command | Runs the team: abilities, vehicle spawns, garrison strategy |
| Squad Leader | Infantry | Places Outposts and Garrisons, marks orders, talks to command |
| Rifleman | Infantry | Line infantry; unlocks the M16A1-M203 / rifle-grenade options at high level |
| Medic | Infantry | Revives and patches; keeps a push alive |
| Specialist | Infantry | Flexible kit slot for supplies and utility |
| Machine Gunner | Infantry | Suppression by volume; also builds the NVA DShKM AA gun |
| Grenadier | Infantry | Explosive answer to structures and clusters |
| Engineer | Infantry | Builds nodes, fortifications, repair stations and ammo trailers |
Infantry is where most players live: Rifleman and Medic are the beginner-friendly picks, Machine Gunner and Grenadier shape fights, and Engineer is the role that wins long games quietly through nodes. Squad Leaders and the Commander carry the communication load — a squad without a talking leader is half a squad.
Armor, Recon, Mortar and Helicopter roles
| Role | Category | Job in one line |
|---|---|---|
| Tank Commander | Armor | Commands the M48 Patton / T-54 and its crew |
| Crewman | Armor | Shirts the tank: drives, guns, repairs under fire |
| Spotter | Recon | Leads the recon squad, places its Outpost, flanks and marks |
| Sniper | Recon | Bolt-action overwatch (M40 / Type 53 PU) with claymore security |
| Observer | Mortar | Forward eyes for mortar strikes; carries binoculars and a field pad |
| Support | Mortar | Hauls supplies and ammo boxes to keep the mortar fed |
| Gunner | Mortar | Places and fires the mortar from the pit |
| Logistics Officer | Helicopter | Runs rotor-wing logistics from the transport helicopter |
| Pilot | Helicopter | Flies transport and supply-drop helicopters |
The mortar trio (Observer, Support, Gunner) is new territory compared to the WWII game's role list — indirect fire is now a squad-scale job, not a commander toy. The helicopter pair (Logistics Officer, Pilot) is likewise faction-wide new for Vietnam: US aerial units are fully operational, which is why the NVA gets tunnel networks and the DShKM AA gun as direct counters.
How squads use these roles
Per the official store description, a 50-strong team is organised into multiple squad types — infantry, recon, armor, mortar squads and helicopter units — each commanded through the chain of command. New recruits should start as Rifleman or Medic, follow the Squad Leader's marks, and level the role before branching into Specialist, Grenadier or crew roles.