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To: CyberAnt
HOW MANY OF OUR SOLDIERS WOULD WE HAVE LOST

Unfortunately, with the single noteworthy exception of the cleaning of the 507th Maint's clock, most of the guys we've lost couldn't have been saved by better rifle skills. MOST of our KIAs are coming from improvised explosive devices (Vietnam jargon was 'command detonated mines').

It doesn't matter how expert you are with your weapon, if somebody lights off 1000 lb. of HE next to your head, you're trading it for a harp.

Of course... if your point is, the Army should train all its soldiers to shoot better, I agree, and so does Pete Schoomaker (the Chief of Staff of the Army). Now, we'll see how this shakes out in the long term, because every shooting war we make these every-man-a-rifleman (even if he's a girl) noises, and after every shooting war the rear area folks go back to getting forty rounds a year to qualify plus nine to zero... most years. Can Rummy and Schoo light enough of a fire under the bean counters that a pilot light stays burning? Well, we know they're gonna try.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

70 posted on 12/27/2003 1:17:24 PM PST by Criminal Number 18F
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To: Criminal Number 18F
Actually .. I believe you've made a mountain out of a mole hill. If you go back and read the relating posts I was commenting about .. you would have discovered that I was making my statement based on a comment from someone else. If you don't know how to trace back my conversation, FReepmail me and I'll explain.
71 posted on 12/27/2003 1:21:33 PM PST by CyberAnt (America is the greatest force for good on the planet ..!!)
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