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To: mdmathis6
Just curious, do you think that military theory and discipline as it is being taught to our officers can cope with the 7th century barbarism coupled with 21st century weapons?

Certainly! Our officers (and NCOs) can cope with a much wider variety of circumstances today than they could in the past. The tactical, leadership, and technical training is far superior to anything taught before. True some of the funding for ongoing skills training lapsed during Clinton's administration, but the basic skills were there and many dedicated professionals ensured that training calendars were stuffed full of everything they could afford to train on. Even with the funding shortages our troops maintained the highest training standard in the world.

Just for comparisons sake I have gathered some numbers that are publicly available. Seems to me that no matter how PC and weak you and others might view our ROEs and Tactics they seem to work far better than the model from 1968 we all try very hard not to emulate. Looks to me like past officers had a harder time dealing with an Asian enemy than 7th century minded barbarians.

1968 Vietnam
US Forces KIA-14,594
Note 1: there were an additional 1,919 non-hostile deaths for a total of 16,511

Troop Levels As of 1 January 1968
Force Total Strength Support Combat Arms
US Forces 409,111

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003
US Forces KIA- 416 (from 1 Apr-17 Nov and includes non-hostile deaths)

Troop Levels (between 120,000 and 150,000)

Do the math, enter in what you can find for current troop levels in OIF and you will see the death rate in 1968 Vietnam was about 1 in 28(409,111/14,594=28) and in OIF about 1 in 285 (120,000/420=285). The 1 in 285 number is for an 8 month period if you increase the KIAs at the current average rate the numbers for 1 year are about 1 in 226 (420/2=110+420=530 | 120,000/530=226).

So short answer to your question, hell yes.

286 posted on 11/24/2003 4:07:49 AM PST by Ispy4u
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To: Pukin Dog; Poohbah
I meant to ping you both to my #286.
288 posted on 11/24/2003 5:17:04 AM PST by Ispy4u
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To: Ispy4u
I stand properly admonished!
289 posted on 11/24/2003 10:14:28 AM PST by mdmathis6
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