The emerging Iraqi army

The Washington Times ^ | 10-14-05 | Robert H. Scales

[smoothsailing]

I traveled to Iraq this week with a group of military analysts. From my visit I concluded that the greatest change in the military balance over since last summer has been achieved by the Iraqis Security forces. Their story is only partially told by the recent spike in numbers of Iraqi army battalions from only a few a year ago to 117 today. But soldiers know that the effectiveness of a fighting force is better measured by intangibles such as courage, will to win, skill at arms, leadership, cohesion and allegiance to a higher cause. These are factors that media amateurs and Washington insiders have difficulty comprehending.

[ThirstyMan]

Like a good wine, making an army takes time. I only hope the American people will give our soldiers the time they need to mature this Army. Give them time, trust them, and this war will turn out OK.

Sounds good!

[Cap Huff]

Ping

[smoothsailing]

The author, retired Major General Robert H. Scales, is a soldier's soldier, not a pompous ass like a Wesley Clark.

I trust his judgement.

[america-rules]

This was the US plan from the beginning but the initial troops signed up for the money and cut and ran when they saw combat.

The troops now are fighting for their country so in a year or two we'll be able to go home !

[magua]

we are not going home. this is home for the next 25 years.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

we are not going home. this is home for the next 25 years.

If that is the path to winning the war on terrorism...so be it, but I don't think that will be the case. Few similarities to Korea or Europe.

[magua]

Maybe there are few similaries to Korea and Europe but this is our MO.

[roaddog727]

Good stuff.

[Former Proud Canadian]

You forgot the "must read".

[NeonKnight]

Well, the middle of the Middle East is a great place to park lots and lots of heavy American armor. It really does make me feel safer.

[Airborne1986]

"Remember the infamous and terribly deadly BIAP Road? I had a quiet dinner about 200 yards from the highway one night and drove a five-mile portion of it, something no sane American visitor would have done last summer."

This has gone completely unreported by the MSM. A month or two ago I even heard Joe Biden on Anus in the Morning say that we don't control that road. Thanks for a great post.

[magua]

I would rather see it parked there then in Germany or Japan.

[jwpjr]

re: The troops now are fighting for their country

You know, what impresses me the most is the number of young men who continue to stand in line to enlist, even though they have to have seen that being in that line can be a death sentence in itself. Many of the most effective bombings have been aimed at lines of several hundred would-be recruits in these lines. I can think of no greater evidence of the true character of the average Iraqi than this willingness to place themselves in danger even before they are members of the armed forces. I realize a lot of them are doing it for the money, but many more of them are not. God bless them!

[Tom Bombadil]

not a pompous ass like a Wesley Clark.

Now, Now, we all know that Wesley is not pompous.

[jwpjr]

re: would rather see it parked there then in Germany or Japan.

Amen!

[jveritas]

Great news. General Scales is my favorite military analyst.

[USS Alaska]

So, do you think this will be reported in the msm? Hey, they probably won't even report on the election this weekend {unless the sunnis defeat their constitution}.

[pawdoggie]

The author, retired Major General Robert H. Scales, is a soldier's soldier, not a pompous ass like a Wesley Clark.

You're doing pompous asses a real disservice by comparing them to Wes Clark.

[aculeus]

BTTT