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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Every single school year I have this discussion with my students. This school year begins in two weeks and I guess this trend will continue. I have to show them the history of the Afghans and their struggle against the USSR. Those mountain boys took arguably the biggest army in the world at the time and whupped 'em with what were essentially muzzle loaders and captured AK47s. Yes our STINGERS helped but only at the end.

Then I have to tell them about the tried and true doctrine of TRADE UP. Of course it works like this: #1 If I have a 22 I can GET an M4. #2 If I have an M4 I can GET an M249 SAW. I can take this trade up as far as I want. Name it: Tanks, mortars, whatever. Don't need to start with an arsenal. Of course starting with the right gear does short the process quite a bit. Thus if I start with my Springfield Armory M1A Super-match and my 3x10 range finding Shepherd Scope I can pretty much get what I want if others do the leg work while I launch rounds.

I spent a lot of time as an infantry officer but then I did a rare branch transfer into Armor in the reserves and attended the Armor Officers Advanced Course. I found out quite a few things about those tanks that are pretty much universal: Most of all, tanks HATE wire. Especially staked down barbed type wire. It gets wrapped around the wheels and entwined in the tracks. 'Round and 'round and 'round. Until the tank is immobilized. What is known as a mobility "kill." Of course none of the tanks weapons systems are affected by the wire so it essentially becomes a fixed fortification. But the crew have go to pop their heads out eventually to take care of business. That wire can usually only be released by using a cutting torch so that tank really ain't goin' anywhere. Q: What does the American countryside have in surplus quantities? A: Lots and lots of BARBED WIRE.

Well, what about those nasty CHOPPERS? Comes the question spinning from the back of the class. I tell them that in certain areas of the country, namely those heavily forested, they can be just as vulnerable to wire as well. Cable not barbed wire. All kinds of uses for cable. Especially in tight LZs or urban LZs or corridors of flight when NOE (nap of the earth) rules are in effect. All kinds of stuff when you think outside the box. That's what I try to instill in my students: Critical Thinking.

67 posted on 08/10/2009 6:43:30 PM PDT by ExSoldier (Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.)
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To: ExSoldier

What kind of class do you teach?


69 posted on 08/10/2009 6:58:14 PM PDT by wastedyears (The Tree is thirsty and the hogs are hungry.)
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