Posted on 05/04/2005 6:15:03 PM PDT by Valin
Media connect Myers' report about strain on US military with lag in recruitment.
Media reports in the US and around the world have taken note of a new classified report from the top US military adviser, which indicates that the US military's current commitments overseas may prevent it from adequately fighting future conflicts. BBC writes that Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "has warned that ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan could limit the ability of the US to fight another war."
In a yearly risk assessment report required by Congress, Myers said any future armed conflicts "may result in significantly extended campaign timelines, and achieving campaign objectives may result in higher casualties and collateral damage." Myers said the US would still prevail in any future conflict, but "may be unable to meet expectations for speed or precision."
The timelines (to winning a new war) may have to be extended and we may have to use additional resources, but that doesn't matter because we're going to be successful in the end.
MSNBC called the assessment "sobering."
Some major US newspapers connected the report to lagging recruitment numbers as further evidence of strain on the military.
"Underscoring the stress facing the armed services," writes The Washington Post, "the Army reported separately [Monday] that its recruiting efforts are continuing to slip, as recruiters nationwide obtained less than 60 percent of the April goal of 6,600 new recruits into the active-duty force." The Post calls Myers' assessment "a rare open acknowledgment that the stresses on the force and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could have an impact on other military operations."
A Los Angeles Times editorial suggests that Myers' admission is a refreshing change, which "indicates that common sense continues to have its place."
The blunt honesty of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard B. Myers, is a bracing change from repeated claims by Pentagon civilians and President Bush that everything is fine. After pointing out that "recruiting lags substantially," the Times ends with a reminder about the importance of soldiers vs. high-tech weaponry in the current conflict in Iraq. For all the emphasis in recent years on unmanned aircraft and high-tech weapons, the problems of Afghanistan and Iraq should remind US administrations of the bottom line for armies: feet on the ground. Precision-guided missiles are all but useless against improvised explosive devices at the side of the road and are of no use at all in building democratic institutions. A report from an Australian Broadcasting Corporation program called "The World Today," says that "what the General told the Congress seemed at odds with what he'd told the President ... only last week ...."
The report cited Bush's quote from last Thursday night's press conference.
The person I asked that to, the person I asked that to at least, is to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, my top military advisor. I said 'do you feel that we've limited our capacity to deal with other problems because of our troop levels in Iraq', and the answer is 'no', he doesn't feel we're limited. Feels like we got plenty of capacity. White House spokesman Trent Duffy, acknowledged the report, but played down its impact.
We are at war, and that level of operations does have some impact on troops. But the president continues to be confident, as well as his military commanders, that we can meet any threat decisively. While most news sources stress Myers' findings that the Iraq war has hampered the military's ability to respond quickly to other potential foes, an article by the American Forces Information Services posted on the Defense Department's website, emphasizes that the US military can still "handle any task."
The story begins this way: "The US military can accomplish all the tasks laid out for it in the National Military Strategy, according to [Myers]."
Hummm, I remember after 911 President Bush telling America from now on dont believe everything you hear and that there are thing that you will never hear again, etc.
BTW we just sold Israel 100 bunker busters, if I was Iran I'd HEAR that loud and clear!~}
I think we have lots of wimps in our country these days.
Anybody who seriously threatens us while our conventional military is "bogged down" forgets how many nuclear weapons we have.
Do ya' feel lucky, punk?
Well, do ya?
Isn't that how America has been described by her enemies in the past?
Iraq and Afghanistan today have 12.5% of our military tied up. Just 12.5%. That doesn't sound to me as though we're stretched too thin. The Navy and Air Force are almost non-existent over there today, leaving them free to maneuver if necessary.
Besides, it is the Air Force and Navy which are the first used in any emergency or projection of power. The regular Army and Marines are long term assets. General Myers is an Army general - of course he's concerned about the long-term effects of this conflict on the Army.
"Classified report"????
You win wars on the ground. The army and the Marines have gear issues, not to mention a looming personnel issue. If anything sppeds up our transition out of Iraq it will be due to the recruiting issues that we are now faces.
North Korea is the only real threat at this time. Simply because they have unstable leaders.
"You win wars on the ground. The army and the Marines have gear issues, not to mention a looming personnel issue."
If there's another war, the Army and Marines can resolve their issues while waiting for the radiation levels to subside. Then they can go in.
Not if the ground is flat, black and glowing...
He said the organization is pussified and the officer corps he dealt with was unexceptional with the vast majority being a bunch of politically minded hacks.
He's glad he had the experiecnce, but he can't wait to get out.
Iraq should be our last "hearts and minds" campaign. Any wars in the foreseeable future will be "can you hear me now" battles featuring Air and Sea superiority.
Not a surprise to anyone currently serving. Beside the border issues and illegal immigration, military recruitment, retention & readiness needs to be addressed now.
Anybody surprised that MSNBC finds the report "sobering".
Our liberal and leftist friends already can't deal with Iraq. Another war would send them over the edge. Correction, would send them further over the edge.
To give you a frightening example, he mentioned that their encampment, called "Camp War Eagle", was forced to change the camp name to "Camp Hope".
He said most of the fighting soldiers found the name change absolutely embarrassing. It's indicative of the "New Army".
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