Quick answer
For the live August 2026 release, the current Steam and PlayStation Store pages list 17 current specialised roles across Command, Infantry, Recon, Armour, Helicopter and Mortar Squad units. An older official web wording captured in the research record used 19, so the role count is a historical source conflict rather than a reason to hide the current storefront answer. The roster below uses the two live store pages, while the role descriptions stay at the level those sources support.
Why roles and classes are one page
Players search for both “roles” and “classes,” but the launch sources present a battlefield role roster rather than two separate systems. GGSage uses one /roles/ page to serve both intents. There is no duplicate /classes/ page competing with it or splitting the same roster across two thin URLs.
Current official role roster: 17 storefront roles
Current official role roster
Showing 17 of 17 role records.
| Role | Unit | Published source boundary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander | Command | Named under Command in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Squad Leader | Infantry | Named under Infantry in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Rifleman | Infantry | Named under Infantry in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Grenadier | Infantry | Named under Infantry in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Engineer | Infantry | Named under Infantry in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Medic | Infantry | Named under Infantry in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Specialist | Infantry | Named under Infantry in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Machine Gunner | Infantry | Named under Infantry in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Spotter | Recon | Named under Recon in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Sniper | Recon | Named under Recon in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Tank Commander | Armour | Named under Armour in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Crewman | Armour | Named under Armour in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Logistics Officer | Helicopter | Named under the US-only Helicopter unit in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Pilot | Helicopter | Named under the US-only Helicopter unit in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Observer | Mortar Squad | Named under Mortar Squad in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Support | Mortar Squad | Named under Mortar Squad in the current official roster. | Official roster |
| Gunner | Mortar Squad | Named under Mortar Squad in the current official roster. | Official roster |
The filter changes the visible table in the browser, but the complete role records are rendered in the page first. If JavaScript is unavailable, the table remains readable; filtering is only an enhancement and does not create indexable query URLs.
How the six battlefield units fit together
Command
The current roster lists Commander. The official launch information says the Commander tutorial must be completed before that role can be selected. That is a concrete onboarding rule, not a suggestion that every player should start in command.
Infantry
Infantry contains Squad Leader, Rifleman, Grenadier, Engineer, Medic, Specialist and Machine Gunner. The names describe different responsibilities, but the official store pages do not provide a full build, weapon table or universal difficulty ranking for each role. Use the responsibility you can communicate to the squad as the first selection criterion.
Recon
Recon contains Spotter and Sniper. The roster establishes the pair and the unit; it does not prove a universal map, range, weapon or “best” ranking. Read the maps page before applying a recon plan to a different terrain problem.
Armour
Armour contains Tank Commander and Crewman. Treat these as a vehicle unit, not as infantry loadouts. A role page can name the unit and its official roster relationship; it cannot infer seat controls, armour values or a winning route from the role name alone.
Helicopter
The current roster lists Logistics Officer and Pilot, and the store descriptions identify the helicopter unit as US-only. The official game page frames helicopters around fire support and supply drops. Read the helicopter controls guide for the binding evidence boundary before copying a keyboard layout.
Mortar Squad
Mortar Squad contains Observer, Support and Gunner. The roster confirms those three records and their unit grouping. Exact mortar ranges, ammunition rules, sighting procedures and role-to-weapon relationships need current in-game evidence and are not derived from the names.
Which role should a beginner choose?
There is no official universal “easiest class” ranking in the sources reviewed. A better first choice is a role whose job you can repeat: communicate the objective, stay with the squad, follow the current mode rules and report what you see. The beginner guide turns that into a first-match route without pretending that one role is best for every player.
If you want to learn the basic objective loop, choose a role whose responsibility is clear to you and ask the Squad Leader what the unit needs. If you want to command, complete the official role tutorial first. If you want to fly, start with the helicopter controls page and confirm the live client inputs.
Roles, weapons and settings are different evidence
The weapons hub records what first-party pages actually expose about factions and historically accurate equipment. It does not attach guessed weapons to every role. Likewise, the best settings guide covers client stability and launch guidance, not role balance. Keeping these questions separate prevents a role name from becoming an invented build.
Common role mistakes
- Treating the role count as settled when official sources differ.
- Making a duplicate Classes page instead of strengthening the shared Roles page.
- Selecting Commander or Squad Leader without reading the official tutorial requirement.
- Assuming Helicopter unit roles are available to both factions.
- Treating a role roster as proof of its complete weapon, stat or difficulty profile.
Frequently asked questions
How many roles are in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam? The current Steam and PlayStation pages list 17 specialised roles for the live storefront release. An older official web wording captured in the research record said 19, so GGSage keeps that historical conflict visible instead of presenting it as a second current roster.
Are roles and classes different? The launch sources use a specialised role roster; this Wiki combines the “roles” and “classes” searches on one page to avoid duplicate intent pages.
Which roles are in the helicopter unit? The current store pages list Logistics Officer and Pilot, and describe the helicopter unit as US-only.
Do Squad Leader and Commander require tutorials? The official August 14 launch information says their associated tutorials must be completed before those roles can be selected.
Sources
- Steam store page — current 17-role roster and unit groupings.
- PlayStation Store listing — current 17-role roster and helicopter unit wording.
- Official Important Launch Info — tutorial requirements and launch onboarding guidance.
- Official game page — helicopter, tunnel, patrol boat and faction context.
Last verified: August 16, 2026. The current store rosters and launch tutorial note were checked; the role-count discrepancy remains visible because the official source set is not uniform.