The ideal, soldiers say, is that no one in Iraq should have to go outside the wire in anything less than M-1114 factory up-armored Humvee.In whose interest is it to mislead soldiers into thinking war is ever fought under ideal conditions, and that when conditions are not ideal it is evidence of incompetence, malfeasance or neglect by the chain of command?
In whose interest is it to mislead soldiers into thinking war is ever fought under ideal conditions, and that when conditions are not ideal it is evidence of incompetence, malfeasance or neglect by the chain of command?
Our “esteemed” news media has much to do with it. It views any danger as being nearly a crime.
While our forces were racing across Iraq with little resistance our news media was all happy and on our side. As soon as the first resistance (actually a pause to resupply) was encountered some turned.
When everything was going our way after the initial combat phase our news media was again with us - until we started taking casualties again.
We have to have front and side airbags, three point restraint seat belts, impact absorbing frames and mandatory liability insurance for our cars. People no longer need to actually pay attention to their driving. There is no longer much danger involved, and our driving habits reflect it.
The idea of perfect safety is counterproductive even in the military. If the trooper “knows” he is invulnerable he will no longer be alert to his surroundings.