War casts its long shadow over Streamers, serving as a powerful catalyst that elevates the emotional stakes of the play. The looming possibility that these young soldiers might embark on an irreversible journey to a far-off, Asian "Disneyland" gnaws at their consciousness. This looming reality only heightens their emotional turbulence, especially for Carlyle, who feels manipulated by white men into fighting in a conflict where he has no personal investment.

Though the Vietnam War remains a distant specter, absent from the direct action, whispers of its "guns and butter" philosophy hint at its nature as a bizarre anomaly, unfolding in a time of supposed peace back home. Here, few are asked to make sacrifices in the name of pursuing the war with fervor or unwavering moral conviction. This senseless warfare not only erodes the men's morale but also casts a relentless threat over their very existence.