>>Yeah, right. And your source of insight is exactly what?
Posted on 03/05/2005 6:43:01 AM PST by Libloather
Our Best and Bravest
A young Marine officer talks about Fallujah
By John Hillen
February 28, 2005, 8:47 a.m.
I went to a presentation by a young Marine infantry lieutenant last week about the platoon he led in the assault on the insurgents in Fallujah a few months ago. It was fascinating stuff for us military types — acronyms were being slung with abandon. Some points were particularly worth noting and sharing:
* The intensity of combat in Fallujah: Of the 46 Marines in this lieutenant's platoon, 20 were evacuated for wounds during the three days of fighting and only four emerged completely unscathed.
* Some 20-odd insurgents were captured by his company during the battle, but there was not a single Iraqi amongst them. Muslims from all over the world, they were aspiring jihadists who had found easy recruiting networks through their local Mosques in their home countries, which plugged them right into the insurgency.
* Most chose not to be captured. When surrounded in buildings and repeatedly told to surrender, they chose to fight on and become martyrs.
* Many of the insurgents were injecting themselves with stimulants, bringing to mind the Moro guerillas in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century.
* Intel was sparse to nonexistent at his level — a figure-it-out picture. His intelligence preparation of the battlefield amounted to urban-combat drills. When the operation kicked off, he took his men into their assigned sector of town, found what insurgents were there (usually by taking their fire), and then used fire and maneuver to destroy them or compel their surrender.
* Iraqi forces fighting with them were a mixed bag, ranging from very courageous and dependable to downright sympatico with the insurgents.
* The "gloves off" rules of engagement in Fallujah had a profound effect in other trouble areas, where the populace became remarkably more cooperative and engaged with the Marines after word leaked of the Americans' tough approach with the jihadists in Fallujah.
Incidentally, some sophisticate tried to prompt the young officer into musings on how he and his Marines felt about the mission in Iraq and our purpose there. The lieutenant gave a gold-plated answer, noting that his focus was on his Marines and his Marines' focus was on each other, which provided the platform for any purpose. As in all wars, ultimately the men fight for each other — perhaps one could even say firstly they fight for each other. He also noted, though, that among the things they stumbled on in Fallujah was a torture house (he showed pictures) with hooks hanging from the ceiling, black masks, knives, al Qaeda-like jihadist literature, and other more gruesome evidence of what went on there. "Nobody had a problem focusing on why we were there," he said, with Gary Cooper-like understatement.
Twenty-four years old, a Tufts graduate from a well-to-do family, he chose to go into Marine infantry and along with that rigorous training he attended the Army airborne school and even the special-warfare scuba school, one of the most physically demanding courses the American military has. This is the caliber of the young officers leading our combat troops on a confused and complex battlefield. This generation of young combat leaders is going to be a great resource for America for a number of years to come, whether they stay in the military or pursue other ventures.
— John Hillen, a contributing editor at National Review, was a defense-policy adviser to the Bush campaign in 2000.
This young LT is wise beyond his years. Thank God we have such heroes to carry on the rich traditions of our Country.
The "gloves off" rules of engagement in Fallujah had a profound effect in other trouble areas, where the populace became remarkably more cooperative and engaged with the Marines after word leaked of the Americans' tough approach with the jihadists in Fallujah.
A lesson learned for those in the State Dept.
To Bashar Assad:
American soldiers are 10 feet tall. They are much smarter and better trained than any of yours. For every one you attempt to injure, there will be 10 more. They will shoot you down from 1,000 yards. American bombs do not miss their target. You are not safe underground. Ask you mercy and you will recieve it. Ask for a fight and they will end it.
If gloves had been off,
the fight wouldn't have lasted
for three effing days.
.
Battlefield Leadership works.
HAL G. MOORE: The Legacy and Lessons of an American Warrior
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/page_left_column.php?content=show_curr_issue_0904a
http://war-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14752&page=1
.
Marine Bump
You cant say enough about the Marines...They are, by far, the finest fighting force on God's Earth.
If gloves had been off,
the fight wouldn't have lasted
for three effing days.
Yeah, right. And your source of insight is exactly what?
Oh, so, I take it you were there?
LOL....WRONG!
And that is exactly what I thought you'd say.
I have to agree with you, but add on my own there is no greater friend, and or no worse enemy than a U.S. MARINE!!
Sandbox ping
I doubt they'll learn it though. At least not until Condi kicks it up their ... well where most of them seem to keep what brains they have.
I doubt they'll learn it though. At least not until Condi kicks it up their ... well where most of them seem to keep what brains they have.
To bad the generally dumb public are not paying attention to these Marines. The MSM is keeping a lid on what is going on. The only reporters I have been hearing lately are in the Green Zone afraid to venture out with car bombs and such. Then the blackout of coverage of any dead arriving stateside at Dover AFB. I know the feeling of coming home after discharge in uniform wearing my corporal stripes and well your know the rest of the story. My heart goes out to these brave Americans fighting hard and not getting any credit for their valor.
That Marine LT should be tagged for early promotion.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.