Military fears critics will hurt morale

WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | November 21, 2005 | Rowan Scarborough

[baystaterebel]

Pentagon officials say they are increasingly worried that Washington's political fight over the Iraq war will dampen what has been high morale among troops fighting a tenacious and deadly enemy. Commanders are telling Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld that ground troops do not understand the generally negative press that their missions receive, despite what they consider significant achievements in rebuilding Iraq and instilling democracy. The commanders also worry about the public's declining support for the mission and what may be a growing movement inside the Democratic Party to advocate troop withdrawal from Iraq. "They say morale is very high," said a senior Pentagon official of reports filed by commanders with Washington. "But they relate comments from troops asking, 'What the heck is going on back here' and why America isn't seeing the progress they are making or appreciating the mission the way those on the ground there do. My take is that they are wondering if America is still behind them."

[Coop]

I'm afraid they don't have quite as rosy a picture of Iraq as is routinely parroted here at FR.

That may well be the dumbest comment for the month of November.

[MadIvan]

It's not just American morale this hurts - what does this do to our troops as well - it's bad enough if Labour rebels are causing problems for the Prime Minister, if the major ally we have is having doubts, we're buggered.

Regards, Ivan

[hiredhand]

I could be wrong, and often am. But being a survivor as an active duty NCO during the Clinton administration, I'm not so sure I would go along with this notion.

There were a few who subscribed to leftist agenda just because young men (and women) are impressionable and relatively easy to influence. But they were always the great minority.

I was in a very unique "place" during those years because the Clintons made a best effort in the time they had to quite literally disassemble us as a fighting force. They intended to cause us harm, but in fact I don't believe it happened this way.

Around 1995/96 there was such a mass exodus of E-6 through E-9 grades (many in protest of administration policies) that it left large areas of responsibility unclaimed. Those of us with the attitude and aptitude took over these responsibilities. Those who were simply "power hungry", but really couldn't do the job were quickly removed and placed into other areas for the sake of the mission and its overall success. It was largely a self correcting system.

In the end, we were left with fewer people, but much better people that we ever could have obtained otherwise. Entire MAJCOMS became tight and very cliquish. Positions of power became "exclusive" and a lot of political effort at the section commander level and below was expended to make sure that the right people moved into jobs such as those that I left behind.

Give time, the Clintons certainly could have hurt us. But they just couldn't with the time that they had.

For the most part, we held the AP at a "cold" distance, and came to view most of the MSM as our common enemy. This was during the 1990s. I keep in touch with buddies who are still AD and they tell me it hasn't changed much. There are still a very few active duty service-people who are leftward leaning, but they comprise a very low number.

Not only this, but the MSM isn't talking about all the "projects" that have sprung up to "adopt" soldiers in Iraq through letter writing and care packages. There's really a lot of support that doesn't make headlines with the MSM (imagine that!).

I left active duty in 1998, but from what I'm told by friends still there, our "legacy" which resulted from Clinton trying to hurt us is still in effect. The general attitude about the media is still there. The media and the effluent which it calls "journalism" is known for being what it is...suitable for wiping one's backside with after filling up on MREs. :-)

If you think about it, this is a classic information warfare maneuver. First, the MSM saturates their endpoints with news of how badly we're going to fail. Then they saturate these same endpoints with idiots like Cindy Sheehan. It was predictable that those up at JCS and such are taking notice.

But I think it only shows that JCS is paying more attention to CNN than their own troops.

Then, finally the MSM sends out the information that JCS and the like has NOTICED that they have told them that they are going to fail.

This whole drill is akin to the concept of "self fulfilling prophesy". It's something that can be completely, and absolutely diverted if you just don't believe it.

[Coop]

I wish I could say that surprised me, but my tagline is not a coincidence.

[LaineyDee]

Democrats should be held to account for their treason.

I take great comfort in knowing.... if they aren't held accountable here... they WILL be.....in eternity. :)

The enemies in our warfare are not just carnal....

[Peach]

It literally pains me that our own politicians have contributed to the general feeling of unease among our fine military. I guess we have to work a little harder to let those Congressional Republicans know that we're unhappy with their performance to date.

House Republicans at least seem to be playing it smart.

[melt]

I still think Al-Jazeera should be made Al-Jazero.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

You will stay right where you are on the thread.
Please take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to send an e-mail.

[George W. Bush]

I was referring to his estimation of Iraq's chances at becoming a functional democracy comparable with the one in Turkey. He had helped guard the recent constitutional referendum. After that, he was on the Syrian border.

Democracy among Arabs? There's no there there. Look at Turkey, still a democracy under the armed supervision of the military after so many decades. My estimate is that we'll see Iran's mullahs overthrown and a western democracy in Iran long before any Arab state will have one.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Coop]

I think Iran is ripe for a democratic form of government. Whether it occurs quickly, later, or not at all remains to be seen.

Next time you're talking with your Iraqi veteran buddies, ask them how they feel about the news media, politicians and others making critical comments (especially when they're often inaccurate or misleading) about their efforts.

[daybreakcoming]

That's a magnificent gesture opening your property for the vets. They should certainly enjoy hunting almost virgin territory for game.

When I voted for Pres Bush in 2000 - I had the feeling that he would be more of an isolationist than a demo. Then 9/11 happened. A massive attack on our own soil and the thought of an isolationist world turned upside down. So here we are.

Please give your vets a real thanks from the rest of us too.

[Thombo2]

"Correct me if i'm wrong."Your right.You mentioned the media.That's the problem.The incessant negativity and biased(dishonest)reporting from Iraq by the msm is certainly taking a toll on morale.They're using the same strategy they used(very successfully)in VN.Divide the nation.The upside in 2005 is we have the internet,FoxNews,Talk Radio,etc.Of course the fact that Bush/Cheney are begining to(finally!)speak out and defend and explain the administrations actions is helping.I feel optimistic we can accomplish our goals in Iraq.

[daybreakcoming]

VP Cheney is expected to make remarks on Iraq in a few minutes. Per FOX.

[George W. Bush]

That's a magnificent gesture opening your property for the vets. They should certainly enjoy hunting almost virgin territory for game.

Nah. It's a puny thing really. They tried to thank me and I said don't thank me and I was just glad they were home safe and sound. So are their parents. I'm still not sure if they filled all their permits. Maybe if they'd parked and walked and consumed a few less beverages... heh-heh... These soldiers are farmboys, out for jerky and sausage and good deer steaks. Really nice kids, well-raised.

[George W. Bush]

Next time you're talking with your Iraqi veteran buddies, ask them how they feel about the news media, politicians and others making critical comments (especially when they're often inaccurate or misleading) about their efforts.

I'm waiting to talk with the third one. He's older and has more military service.

I'm not sure that the troops are exposed to the full brunt of MSM while in Iraq. They get some internet and a lot of Armed Forces radio programs. That's Limbaugh and Hannity and others, no Lefties like Err America. So they're probably hearing mostly bits and nibbles of all this. I suppose that if they have enough access to the internet, they could watch the C-SPAN stuff on Murtha.

Cheney on the tube now. Taking a pretty soft tone toward Murtha. Given Murtha's long friendship with Bush Senior and Scowcroft's stance, I'm not too surprised. I notice that having opened soft, Cheney's going tougher on his talking points. Very effective speech.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[rfreedom4u]

This is why more and more private citizens need to make it known that we support our troops and the fight to democratize Iraq. If democracy can flourish in Iraq and the Iraqi people can defend it once we leave then it could spread in the middle east. It flourished in Europe after WW2 and the Soviets didn't like it. Someone once said about East Germany, "Will the last person to leave please turn off the lights?"

[StarCMC]

Yeah - and it looks like they've showed up here as well. Some days I truly hate FR.

[Soaring Feather]

Done and bump.