Sure we can bomb them back into the dark ages, but in this engagement in Afghanistan, as it was in RVN the enemy always has a way of adapting to constant incoming (air and artillery barrages). So, in that regard, yes when a piece of dirt needs to taken it is going to require face to face, hand to hand combat at times to accomplish the mission. But it is a far cry from the vision of a "bayonet charge". Remember, the "art" of conducting effective warfare is as old as mankind himself and history proves armies are constantly adapting to new technologies and new missions.
Now the point Colonel Hackworth is making here is simply that the "leadership" at the top, is in many instances not comprised of "battle tested", life long front line officers.
Of course, while I am sure this PC "ticket punching" process took on new meaning during the past decade, it is not something new. Re-read Hack's piece and see how a very young Lt. became a Battalion Commander in a very short time. During wars, of any duration, it is a fact that promotions come quickly for a myriad of reasons to include combat fatalities and replacements needed.
Unfortunately, but as a fact in a military controlled and commanded by civilian authority, in-between wars budgets are cut, promotions are slow and therefore careerists do have to find ways of making themselves noticed in a much different environment than combat. A certain amount of "butt kissing" goes on in most occupations.
What Hack doesn't address in this piece, and through no fault, because it was not his point, is the lack of combat preparedness in line units due to long periods of non combat missions, where Congress in their infinite wisdom cuts military budgets to the bone. In many cases, just as an example, half the tanks in a armored division aren't available because the unit is having to scavenge parts from one vehicle to make another serviceable. Broaden that view to the entire military force structure; aircraft, jeeps, artillery pieces, etc. etc. etc.
Add that to manpower shortages where units are only up to strength by paper work games and shifting of "clerks and jerks" into combat slots on paper only.
These problems are as old as the military itself and normally in each and every "conventional" type unit casualties are higher in the beginning of the mission than they are as time goes by and the budget and proficiency of the leaders and the soldiers improves from necessity.
I remember my father, a career Infantry Officer, telling me stories of after W.W.II and before Korea his Infantry units were drilling with wooden sticks because there was not enough money in the defense budget for all soldiers to drill with real rifles.
But as I began, there is little doubt the quality of the command and general staff suffered as never before during eight years with a "draft dodger" as Commander In Chief.
Fortunately it appears as if our "Special Forces" types of units have maintained an edge. The "leg" outfits may take a bit of time to get up to speed but I am hopeful under Rummy's direction they will.
The bigger question in all of this is more to the resolve and willingness of the American people to accomplish "the" mission. And of course the mission has to remain concise and well defined from the top. While it is good for the current President to talk about the mission in terms of "defeating terrorism" when it comes to combat operations a great deal more specificity is required. That is where, my concerns are with the current crop of "ticket punchers", in general, in charge. But again, Rummy and his past experience give me hope that in time, and unfortunately inevitably with losses, the problem will be addressed.
Hope, my opinion here, long I agree, helps in some small way.
Thanks for flagging me.
I'm well aware of the problems with spare parts, lack of ammo, the un-readiness of units, etc. I do try to keep up with at least reading some in that regards.
As it regards bayonet charges.....my Dad is 89 and not long ago he was telling me about his oldest brother-in-law, who was in WWI. Uncle Mark was involved in bayonet charges, up and out of trenches, and through fields of mud and muck...and was exposed to mustard gas at some point in Europe.