Posted on 02/04/2005 5:18:21 PM PST by Indy Pendance
Critics take shots at net-centric warfare planning
SAN DIEGO—The real take-home lesson from Operation Iraqi Freedom is that, in some instances, insurgents used network-centric warfare better than the U.S. military did, according to one panelist at the AFCEA West 2005 conference here.
The United States had better technology and equipment, but insurgents used cell phones and the Internet to launch an effective counterattack on troops with improvised explosive devices, said Ralph Peters, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and the author of 20 fiction and nonfiction books.
And they are still using such measures to launch attacks, Peters said.
"It's not about the technology you've got, but you're employment of it," Peters said. "Technology still doesn't win wars by itself."
The United States went into OIF with technology second to none, he said. Troops were supposed to prove that technology, coupled with airpower, could win a quick war and guarantee the peace. But the number of troops sent to Iraq was inadequate and that proved to be an insurmountable hurdle for technology to overcome, he said.
Another huge hurdle was the language barrier. Peters said the military needs to do a better job of hiring linguists and analysts who are skilled in local languages where personnel are deployed.
Another panelist, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis, said another key lesson from OIF is: "Don't patronize the enemy. They mean business. They mean every word they say. They're killing us."
"Where should we be putting our resources as we transform?" Mattis asked.
Peters and Mattis, commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, said they disagree with retired Vice Adm. Art Cebrowski's vision and direction of force transformation.
Peters said Cebrowski, who has just retired from the job of Defense transformation chief, put a bigger emphasis on building the technology-laden future force without much consideration of the enemies troops will encounter.
"Don't build the force and then look for enemies to fight," Peters said. "Technology is great, but you've got to avoid becoming a prisoner of technology. I'm not anti-IT, but we're seduced by pure capabilities as opposed to relevant needs."
"I love Adm. Cebrowski, but not one of those [force transformation] technologies could have helped me these last three years," Mattis said, referring to an earlier keynote address Cebrowski gave yesterday morning. "It's not about the technology you got, but your employment of it."
An employee in Cebrowski's office said both Peters and Mattis are "purposely" confusing Cebrowski's true message. "He's more about increasing information, which leads to knowledge," said the employee, who declined to give his name.
The employee said Cebrowski touts the four components of transformation—technology, organizations, processes and culture—but that Peters and Mattis choose to focus on just the technology.
"The critics look at the technology piece and blow that out," he said.
But the critics didn't stop at Cebrowski. Peters slammed DOD's top contractor, Lockheed Martin Corp., as well as others, for being too driven by money and not on developing innovation.
"I don't think the big five [contractors] have done enough to peel back the acquisition system and look outside the box to find the changing nature of war,” Peters said. “War is changing and I believe there are opportunities for major contractors if they would step out of the box."
I couldn't CAIR less what the fatso spokesman has to say. Kudos to the General.
What does he mean "WE?" He is not a "WE." Nihad Awad is a "THEM"
Come on, now, they aren't THAT bad, are they?
(:-)
Irshad Manji (sp?), but I've got a feeling a majority of Muslims view her as near-apostate (or right out traitor).
I've seen plenty of examples of selfless heroism among the Iraqis (hell, the Iranian kids get shot when they protest).
But these CAIR folks are bastards, no argument here.
My favorite movie scenes of all times.....
Colonel Nathan Jessep on the Stand
written by Aaron Sorkin
Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee (Tom Cruise): I think I'm entitled to them.
Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I want the truth!
Jessep: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: You're goddamn right I did!!
Another great American general with balls,(Patton), talking to his troops, once said, "It is not your job to die for your country. It is to make the other poor bastard die for his." I don't suppose Hooper would like that either.
And what appropriate disciplinary action has CAIR used against murdering Islamic thugs?
My kind of Marine. Too bad the islamo-pigs don't get the First Amendment.
Well ... I have to go on record as agreeing wholeheartedly with General Mattis.
Here is the text of an email I sent to CAIR from their website:
To CAIR:
I have read your criticism of General Mattis's remarks, and take issue with them. I have heard very little criticism from CAIR about the actions of those in Iraq who, in the name of Islam, capture and kill innocent people and who have even stooped so low as to force a child with Downs Syndrome to wear explosives and be used as an involuntary suicide bomber.
I can understand why your organization might feel shame at somehow being associated with these animals just because you happen to worship the same God, but your silence on these issues only exacerbates this problem for your organization.
Your mission statement on your website states: "CAIR's mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding." On your website, there is a single web page devoted to denouncing terrorism, and one line in your core principles that denounces violence against civilians by both individuals and countries. Given the magnitude of the problem, this is inadequate. If you spoke out loudly, unequivocally and often against the kind of things you remain silent on, most Americans would be more willing to listen to your viewpoint on these issues where you feel that Muslims are being unfairly maligned.
Instead, because of your silence on these issues your organization is viewed by many in our country as hostile to American values, and by your silence, I understand why many would feel that way. To many, your silence speaks volumes. It is not that your organization is not capable of making your voice heard, as this incident with this Marine Corps General clearly shows. The problem is your silence on the issues that count to the majority of Americans.
Your organization, like many Americans, seems not to realize we are at war. And while not all Muslims are terrorists, the vast majority of American lives lost to terrorism have been lost to terrorists who do it in the name of Islam. The sooner your organization uses its voice to condemn those Islamic terrorists, loudly, unequivocally, and often, the sooner most non-muslim Americans will take your criticisms of our behavior seriously. Until Americans hear your organization unequivocally condemn terrorism, you will likely be viewed by many as an arm and a mouthpiece of those terrorists.
It cannot be said enough, F#$k islam and F#$k all moslems. I take that point of view not from a religous stance, I am a-denominational (I don't personally believe in organized religous denominations). From a purely historical perspective, islam is a purely evil cult of conquest and murder. CAIR should be told to FO & D and the battle cry should be Death to Islam! The general said nothing wrong other than to voice his view of his job and the work done by his Marines. If they'd take me out of retirement and let me be a sniper I'd be more than happy to drop as many as I could put between the cross-hairs. Look at history and you come to the conclusion that there are no peaceful or innocent muslims.
I hereby call for the expulsion of all members of CAIR, and any ambassadorial staff involved in its support.
As with the ACLU, PETA- and CAIR these special interest groups all exclude any interpretaiton except their own.
the ACLU now excludes the Free Expression of Religion from
their webpage-and have attempted increaisngly since 1940
to remove Christianity from American society.Just as CAIR
would have everyone be dead, or wholly subjugated except the Muslims.PETA believes only animals have rights-even as
CAIR believes only Muslims have Rights.None of them can read nor interpret the US Constitution according to the clear meaning and intent of the terms.None of them reflect
American interests.
Is the selfless heroism among Iraqi committed to save others regaurdless of their acceptance of Islam? Their
Koran and Hadith would suggest there is only the House of Islam--and the House of War. Only a man or woman who submits
to Allah has rights superior to any infidel or unbeliever.
It was the bloody Muslims who sold their own Africans to the
Brits,and to any who would pay for slaves.Muslims who could NOT understand WHY America ended the slave trade.
Even as it is the bloody Muslims who are the terrorists today. Baron Montesquieu was closer to the truth -at the
birth of this Western Christian nationthan G.W.Bush is today.They are a despotic and bloody people who do not value life.
Discipline?
Hell, Mattis has long since earned his PhD in Discipline from Puller University!
This PC shiite will be the eventual death of us if we don't simply ignore it, and CAIR knows it. The sissie Left is going along with it and promoting it!
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