The Reality of Our All-Volunteer Military

Washington Post | 11/25/06 | Russell Beland and Curtis Gilroy

[TexKat]

For the first time since the American Revolution, the United States is fighting a protracted war with an all-volunteer force. The strain on both the military establishment and individual service members is readily apparent. But although there has been considerable concern that an all-volunteer approach could not possibly fill the ranks in wartime, both recruiting and retention of military personnel have remained strong during more than three years of American military operations in Iraq.

To be sure, the active-duty, reserve and National Guard components of the military have missed a few recruiting goals, but overall numbers remain solid. Retention rates also remain high -- in many cases a tour of duty in a combat zone actually appears to increase the likelihood of a service member's staying in the military.

Regardless of one's opinion of the management and progress of the war on terrorism, the concept of an all-volunteer force has been an amazing success by virtually any measure. The U.S. military is sustaining combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq while continuing to meet obligations around the globe. And even with unemployment rates near record lows, the military still has tens of thousands of young men and women on waiting lists to join the active-duty force.

[Defiant]

For the first time since the American Revolution, the United States is fighting a protracted war with an all-volunteer force.

What do these idiots think the Indian wars were? Lack of historical perspective is endemic in the MSM.

[Cicero]

But although there has been considerable concern . . . both recruiting and retention of military personnel have remained strong during more than three years of American military operations in Iraq.

An admission you couldn't have gotten out of the editors of the Washington ComPost with a wrench (or a waterboard), until after the election was safely past.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.


The Words
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE


The Pictures
http://www.RickRescorla.com/The%20Statue.htm


The Heroism
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361


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[struwwelpeter]

active-duty, reserve and National Guard components of the military have missed a few recruiting goals

Last drill weekend I stayed out at the South Dakota National Guard center VOQ, and at breakfast I had the pleasure of watching a batch of new recruits (pre-Basic Training and AIT) going through the chow line. So Dak doesn't seem to be having any problems, and the E-8 having coffee with me gave some very interesting perspectives. He said lots of the "Good Ol' Boys" got out after a tour (or the risk of having to do a tour) in Iraq or Afghanistan, and the soldiers remaining and coming on board were the most patriotic, able, and committed that he'd ever seen, and they were having pass rates in Basic and AIT higher than he could remember.

I wonder what happened to all the 'druggies, drop outs, and fat boys' I keep reading about.

[kerryusama04]

the active-duty, reserve and National Guard components of the military have missed a few recruiting goals

Umm, I was Navy, and I don't think there are any other categories of military. Am I missing something?

[rocksblues]

All volunteer means having troops that will do their duty.

Having a drafted force in this day an age means having 3/4 of the troops not wanting to do their duty.

[BusterBear]

Now that a draft is being actively promoted by one of the most powerful members in the House, these reporters are getting scared sh*@#less.

[gondramB]

>>For the first time since the American Revolution, the United States is fighting a protracted war with an all-volunteer force<<

Factoid - the first draft was actually instituted 5 months before Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown

[Tailback]

I'm in the Oregon Air Guard now and what I've seen is in line with your experiences. There were a lot of older Viet Nam and even a Korean War veteran in some of the Army guard units I was in. Many of those had no interest in fighting fires or deploying to a war zone. Don't get me wrong, there were lots of them with valuable knowledge and some of them at the NCO academy and Cavalry BNCOC were outstanding soldiers. Unfortunately there were a lot that had made their stripes and were doing time to max out their retirement check. The Army, Army guard, and Army Reserves is one lean mean machine right now. God help the country that takes on the US Army without it having both hands tied behind its back.

[91B]

We had at least a dozen Vietnam vets with us in the desert. Some couldn't do anything more than man guard tower every night, but it had to be done and they never shirked their duty. Most of the rest went on patrols and did fine.

A few troops who were at the MOB station with us punked out and got to go home-all but one that I know of were younger guys-but the vast majority went and did their duty.

Now that we've come home, some have retired. But most of those guys were as good as gold.

[Valin]

The Devil's Sandbox
About the Book
http://www.thedevilssandbox.com/index.htm

The Devil's Sandbox, by military historian John Bruning, Jr., gives readers an intimate look into the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, Oregon National Guard. Known as the “Volunteers,” 2-162 served in Iraq during 2004-05 and in northeast New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in September, 2005.

Less than 700 strong, this remarkable infantry battalion took part in every major engagement during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. These Oregonians fought pitched battles with the Mahdi Militia during both Shia Uprisings, played a key role in the Battle of Najaf, and took part in the Battle of Fallujah. The individual bravery of these men stand as a testament to the strength of America’s citizen-soldiers.

---

Can't recomend this book highly enough!

[Dick Bachert]

Yep, the frigging POLITICIANS and bureaucrats safely ensconsed in the Pentagon learned NOTHING from Korea or Nam.

Got an interesting email from a former Marine sniper who had some ideas on how to UNTIE the hands of our folks on the ground over there. It follows.

---

If they would let me be in charge for 90 days, I'd re-up. The problem over there, tactically, is they are trying to tip toe through the tulips. The way to fight a war is to go in and kick ass and win it. We learned how in Vietnam, then were told to forget everything we learned because "there would never be another Vietnam."

Baghdad and the rest of Iraq should have been dealt with early on with search and clear missions. Cordon off sections of the city, then go door to door and search them out. Grab any contraband/weapons etc. Arrest any suspected terrorists. Arrest or kill anyone hiding explosives and ordnance. I would also issue every Iraqi who passes a security check a pistol to defend themselves against "insurgents" should they come knocking.

I would patrol by air and satellite the deserts and borders to stop any re-supply or infiltration from Iran, Syria or Saudi Arabia. I'd recruit Kurds to help patrol and deal with various areas like the Brits used the Ghurkas.

I would shut off all cell phone usage since they are used to detonate IEDs. I would contract to civilian companies to develop a cell phone frequencie transmitter that would send burst ring transmissions on vaious channels and frequencies to detonate IEDs as they are being built or employed. I'd put these devices in Predator or drones and fly them over the city day and night.

I would raise a battalion of Kit Carsons (insurgents who come over to our side like the Chieu Hois in Vietnam). They know the enemy and his tactics.

I'd stop using Hummers to do convoy and road patrols. I'd pull the M-113 APCs out of storage and add deflective armor to them and use them instead. I'd also contract with the South Africans to build Rhinos and Buffalos (two types of wheeled armored vehicles designed to deflect mines and bombs in the road).

I would go after every radical raving cleric in the country and arrest or kill them if they are inciting terrorism or violence. They are cowards who send young gullible kids out to die. But you won't find THEM wearing a bomb belt.

I would begin using nightly patrols with FLIR to find groups of men moving about, then put MK82 500 pounders on them as soon as they are detected.

There are a lot of other things that come to mind, but that's enough for now.

As for sniping, I had a VA service officer ask me recently if I ever wanted to take a trip back to Vietnam. I asked why would I, and she said "for closure." I scowled, looked her in the eye, and said "the only way I'd go back is if they gave me a sniper rifle so I could finish the job."

She widened her eyes and asked "have you received counseling for PTSD?"

I said "Naw, I don't have any problems dealing with memories, if that's what you mean. But, I do have one guilt feeling...one regret."

"Yes, what's that?"

"I regret not killing more of those sons of bitches when I was there than I did."

She said "I think you NEED to talk to a counselor..."

[EGPWS]

Lack of historical perspective is endemic in the MSM.

And the beat goes on...

[oldbill]

Translation of Washington Postspeak:
This all-volunteer military is great because it means that the important people like us - journalists, pundits, celebrities - will never have to go.

In a nation of 300 million you should always be able to come up with the less than 2 million true patriots to volunteer and if necessary to go in harm's way. Playing the numbers game (we get enough right now so everything's OK) unfortunately covers up the dirty secret that a large and favored segment of our society gets a pass when it comes to doing the heavy, and nasty, lifting.

The nation needs to address the issue as to why the elites are not serving, and why no effort is made to get them to serve. The people we have in uniform are the best and brightest (excluding some incompetents like Janis Karpinski and Claudia Kennedy) we have ever had. But they come from middle class and blue collar America.

John Kerry in his arrogant ignorance still sums it up correctly when he says "dumb people" (i.e., those not like him and his ruling class associates in both parties) are the only ones who should serve.

Ironically, it was only the draft that got Kerry and his upper class ilk anywhere near a uniform, instead of at the Sorbonne where he wanted to be.

If we are really in WW III in this fight against one billion Islamofascists and supporters, shouldn't the elites be in there with us, like in WW II when the four sons of FDR and the grandson of Teddy Roosevelt all served, along with movie stars, baseball and football stars, nearly the entire graduating class of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton?

Maybe the liberals and RINOs and the rest of the elites favor amnesty and open borders because it will provide the cannon fodder for the future (and certain) wars to come and thus keep them and their privileged children out of the danger zone.

[magellan]

These reporters have no clue. They wouldn't know or understand the word duty if someone tattooed it to the inside of their eyelids.

[Cacique]

bump for later

[dufekin]

Well, these reporters also neglected, among other conflicts, the Barbary Pirates and the Philippine Insurrection--both against Muslim enemies. The latter conflict took fifteen years and cost six thousand American lives. Despite the length of these conflicts, we won both wars overwhelmingly, with no thanks to the media.

[Tailback]

Delta company 2-162 was actually mostly E Troop 1-82 Cavalry. That was the unit I was in until 2001 when I switched over to the Air Guard.

http://www.thedevilssandbox.com/images/meet18.jpg SPC Officer and SSG Zacher were in E troop when I was there.

http://www.thedevilssandbox.com/images/meet10.jpg

SPC Linden was KIA by an IED along with SGT Eyerly. SGT Melton was blown out of the gunners hatch but survived.

From what I've heard from my former E troop buddies is that Delta company and the 2-162 in general shocked the hell out of the regular Army with their performance in the sandbox.

[Paleo Conservative]

What do these idiots think the Indian wars were? Lack of historical perspective is endemic in the MSM.

But they weren't covered on TV news. Nothing that happened beforer the invention of television and newsreels matters.