GROUND-WAR DOMINANCE - (Maj. Gen. Bob Scales calls for faster modernizing of current weaponry)

WASHINGTON TIMES.COM ^ | MAY 10, 2005 | MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT H. SCALES (Ret)

[Spktyr]

How about a system that's already in inventory and issued to SOCOM units, the M3 MAAWS?

Already works, already proven. Just about as heavy as this thing we're talking about.

[patton]

Nice. I want one.

[gandalftb]

It's hard to argue with Bob Scales. He was the direct support battery commander at Dong Ap Bia Mountain. Today is the 36th anniversary of the beginning of that battle now called Hamburger Hill. What he said about those men is still true of our warriors today:

"I guess the last thing that struck me about the thing is the enormous tenacity of the American soldier when he's put in these situations. There was no reason viscerally for the soldiers to do the things they did. It made me think, frankly, "What makes people do this? What are the motives? Is it money? No. Is it the commander? No. Is it national pride? I don't think so." Many of the soldiers that came back from those assaults came back disenchanted, complaining, "This is a terrible thing. I don't know why we're doing this." And yet when you put a rifle in their hands and you put them back on the hill, they did it again."

I think we tend to over focus on armaments and armor. Of course they are essential, but finding and training warriors to close with and kill the enemy in a very personal and direct way is what will always create our greatest advantage in battle. Our willingness and ability to do so will always create the greatest chaos and fear in our enemies.

[Spktyr]

Agreed - of the services, the Marines have been the least "gadget struck" of the groundpounders. They are also the most feared force in Iraq right now - just ask the Iraqis in Fallujah.