It’s amazing, isn’t it, to find ourselves in some really convoluted way on the “same side” as virulent anti-war people? I never, ever believed I’d think it- let alone say it, either.
I’ve spent a good amount of time discussing this with several combat vets from both Iraq and Afghanistan. To a man, they are strongly opposed to the current ROE’s and can supply myriad examples of the consequences- not only to the soliders and marines themselves- but to the entire campaign being waged. There’s an uneasiness among them- their dads are reminded of vietnam and what happens when the leadership has no will to win. They see it happening all over again- different war, different enemy - but the same self-defeating mindset.
It cannot be stressed enough what this kind of strategy does to the morale of the warrior.
Ditto. But somehow this nation building attempt that lacks a solid foundation (Current literal Islam as brainwashing techniques) which was present in Europe (Free market principles/historic Christianity although not alive as it once was) and Japan (The impact of not only hearing Hirohito's voice but announcing the whole Emperor thing was a lie provided an easier transition) are absent in those tribal countries.
Only way to truly change things are killing the opium trade the brainwashing of radical Islam etc.... The rest are just temporary and hollow victories while our best are sacrificed in the process in order to make the commanders look good (Limit the collateral damage). There is an extremely cynical atmosphere in the ranks which leads to the erosion of moral.
The American State run media would be more pissed if “civilians” (Who mostly provide help/logistics in arming/Intel the Islamist) are killed then active duty members. Says a lot about who side they are on, especially spiking stories about what these “innocent civilians” are doing in helping out tribal forces (Kill them all, and put the fear of the true God into their Islamic lies).
Walls of Jericho Time should be our strategy not Vietnam/Post WWII Marshall plans. Pressure Pakistan because the USSR failed because 1) The US were supplying the resistance through Pak/other countries 2) Failed to cut off the enemies logistic capabilities
If we want Afghan as an outpost first you need to establish your will, not create ROEs that are easily taken advantage of.
The VA hospital wards and self help cnters are full of Viet Nam veterans who still to this day are affected by not only what they experienced in theatre but more so from what they experienced when they got back home where they were sure they’d find comfort and respect.
I did not go to Nam but my dad did. He left as a very asutue student of the Bible and came home an angry and deeply troubled man angy at God. It was only on the day before his death that he recognized what had happened to him and the horrible consequences it brought and prayed with me and my sister for forgiveness. His anger was directed at God for the way he saw so many “kids” who suffered in their dying moments all because of the ROE.
I joined in 1971 but did not go to Nam. I went to Teheran and will to my dying day know deep inside of me that my dad had something to do with that.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it, to find ourselves in some really convoluted way on the “same side” as virulent anti-war people? I never, ever believed I’d think it- let alone say it, either.”
That is the same thng that eventually happened during the Vietnam war...by design. The people who had always supported the vietnam war became anti-war when it became painfully apparent that the leadership in Washington had no intention or strategy to win the war.It’s a very sad morning for America. God Bless our military in their hour of need and loss.