Posted on 03/15/2007 5:52:00 PM PDT by jazusamo
Yesterday, I participated in a long conference call with Gen. David Petraeus, the new overall commander of coalition forces in Iraq. In a wide-ranging discussion, Gen. Petraeus spoke about a lot of developments, especially the heightened cooperation Americans are receiving not only from the Iraqi government and its security forces but also from the general population. Many of the community leaders across the country, including within the Sunni Triangle, are cooperating and providing highly valuable intelligence about insurgents hiding and operating in their communities.
There have been a number of reports that the "ROE" -- rules of engagement under which U.S. troops operate and which set the terms under which force, both deadly and non-lethal -- have been confused. Petraeus hit this squarely. He said that the problem was not in the ROE but in the interpretation given them by lower commands. It had become a problem because on-the-line grunts were confused by these supplemental rules on how they should handle situtations that begin peacefully and then -- for one reason or another -- escalate into deadly confrontations.
Petraeus has issued a personal order to all troops and commanders that clarified the ROE and should end the problem. Here's the money quote:
I am concerned about the unintended consequences of our efforts over thepast two years to reduce injury and death to innocents within the framework of escalation of force (EOF) situations. The intentions of these efforts have been absolutely correct; however, it appears that the results, in some cases, have led to establishment of procedures that have, in effect, changed the rules of engagement for our troopers. Let me be clear: (1) No one may issue supplementary guidance that forecloses the judgment of an individual facing a split-second and independent decision whether to engage a threat. Persons committing hostile acts or exhibiting hostile intent may be engaged with all necessary force without progress through EOF measures -- though, of course, progressing though EOF measures should be the case when the situation allows. (2) Leaders should strive to shape situations so that coalition forces are not pressed into making snap judgments under questionable circumstances. Warning equipment, barrier materials, and nonlethal weapons, as well as signs -- well-lighted at night and understandable to Iraqis -- must continue to be issued to our troops. This is easier written than done, I recognize, but we must strive to minimize the situations that result in split-second decisions when we can. (3) To remain true to our nations' values and maintain our discipline, commanders will investigate engagements resulting in death, injury requiring hospitalization, or substantial property loss to a civilian. Other incidents will be reported according to unit standards and may be investigated at local commanders' discretion. Despite our best efforts to minimize them -- efforts that are very important-there will be EOF incidents. Learn from them, conduct the AARs that are the hallmark of a professional force, train on the lessons brought to light, and share these lessons. Your chain of command will stand with you.
The last line says it all. The commander stands with his men. This is something almost unknown within Washington. It's called leadership.
Gen Patraeus is nobody's fool and a true leader. Like his boss.
So far, the only thing I'm aware he's accomplished - is removing insane ROEs and unnecessary risks to our warriors by the EOF and ROE..
These insane measures should never have been implemented..
The 5th star will have to wait until he can take credit for achieving something of merit against the enemy...
Commanding the "surge" that temporarily has driven most of the Jihadists into hiding, awaiting our retreat from the field -- rather than stacking corpses like cord wood, isn't exactly a military victory...
Rather than "going to ground" as the surge seems to have caused -- I would prefer to see the enemy IN the ground or UP in red mist or black smoke...
We'll see...
Semper Fi
He has done a hell of alot more then that.
He wrote the new counterinsurgency manual. It was his idea to treat the insurgency as a local neighborhood policing problem which I have been saying for three years. Putting up 100 police stations on steriods with US troops, Iraqi troops, and Iraqi police was something I have wanted done for two years.
He is absolutely right about how the insurgency works. It works like a normal gang would. They get into neigborhoods and intimidate using violence loyals. If US and Iraqi troops are around long term the loyals won't fear if they rat on the insurgents a week later the US will leave and they will die. That is why we already see in Baghdad a doubling of tips since the surge began. The troops instead of being on giant FOBs are now out in the steets collecting intel and making connections with people and they are also watching the Iraqi Security Forces, giving them confidence and keeping them much more honest.
Petraeus also was tasked with the incredibly difficult task of building the Iraqi Army from the ground up in late 2004. A year and a half into the war the Pentagon finally figured out that a small National Guard isn't good enough for Iraq and it needs an Army. And, he did a damn good job building the Army from scratch.
This late Newsweek cover with Petraeus on it isn't from 2007 it is from late 2004.
http://www.dickinson.edu/news/features/2004/petraeus/petraeus.jpg
The new talk and type with Windows Visa isn't work all that well.
I was talking about Baghdad's upcoming 100 bases and locals not loyals.
Savage is only impressed with Savage...
Starbase, I see you were not the one to raise the subject of Savage in this discussion but that you are being hounded for some sort of Bush Bashing from other threads.
Griddlee, the article is about Petraeus and ROE, not about posters that have a critical view of Bush. If you are indeed a vet of Korea as my father was, then you likely criticized Truman as my father did. Please respect those patriots that reserve the right to criticize the executive's decisions. It's a necessary part of the debate.
Great article!
Writing manuals, training Muslim armies and policing neighborhoods filled with Muslims determined to kill each other and our folks -- is not my idea of how a General earns worshiped hero status...
If Petraeus was in fact successful in training a large and expensive Iraqi Army -- they SHOULD be able to secure their own cities...
Petraeus should be measured on how he succeeds in ONE MISSION.
Defeating/Destroying the enemy and securing VICTORY, however one wishes to define victory..
I've seen fuzz cheeked 2nd Lieutenants in country only a few weeks leading a platoon, kill more enemy in a single evening - than our total combined forces are killing in a month!
Semper Fi
I heard someone on NPR parsing crap today about Girouard's case, saying it hung on the ROE that were in effect at the time. Sounds like a bunch of $#!+ to me. dan rather is on leno giving all his military expertise, strategic vision, and veritable vast wealth of knowledge INCLUDING Stats on opium. LMAO!
LOL!! I'll bet ran dather knows a lot of stats on opium, he sounded like he used it for 40 years.
The Admiral is in charge of the region. Delegation of Iraqi responsibility has been made to Petraeus.
That is how things work.
The Admiral is also responsible for Afganistan. But Nato, it appears, has operational authority.
Go figure.
"THIS IS LONG OVERDUE"
Until the first "wedding Party" gets wiped out, and splayed across page One around the world....
he's right up there with murtha, IMHO. Hitting the hay!
Thank you for the information. IIRC that admiral also worked with nato.
Nice home page.
I did not address you in this thread. Where do you get that idea?
I expressed a fact that Savage says the surge wont work. It has nothing to do with you.
"I thought the navy admiral was going to be in charge of the operation, over Petraeus. What happened to him?"
He is CENTCOM CDR, Petraeus is Multinational Forces-Iraq CDR....he works for the Admiral
Amen
ROFL. Savage cannot shine this man's boots.
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.
