View Full Version : Obama runs special forces into the ground
Didn't see this posted.
http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/11/special-ops-forces-wearing-thin-from-high-demand/?page=1
Not exactly investigative reporting.
The use of "SOF" be it Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or any of the now perverted paramilitary branches of federal LEA's like the DEA-FAST that now view them selves as "SOF" of sorts give the left end of the political spectrum a military force that they can use to kick the can down the road.
It goes all the way back to JFK himself using SF to do dirty work that no one else had a stomach for. (Its great work when you can get it as long as the diplomats are willing to support you). SF guys can do a lot of shit. Let me rephrase that, we have proven that we can be successful at just about everything in spite of dubious support and flimsy political leadership.
Some things REQUIRE the overt unapologetic commission of combat force. Like it or not, there are things that a Brigade Combat Team can do that an ODA simply cannot cover. It's easy to point at the early successes we had in Afghanistan but take away combat aviation support and many of our successes on the ground get rewritten in the history books.
If you are a politician and don't give a shit and refuse to be "committal" then Special Forces is without a doubt the drug of choice for military intervention. It allows the failed diplomat...
...let me digress: I LOVE using the term "failed diplomat" because ultimately, armed intervention is the last tool in a diplomats tool box when he has FAILED to apply diplomacy for a solution.
So:
If you are a politician and don't give a shit and refuse to be "committal" then Special Forces is without a doubt the drug of choice for military intervention. It allows the failed diplomat the ability to show "strength" to his sycophants because he has bravely demonstrated his willingness to use military force as an option.
Using "SOF" also gives you a military force to hide behind when your political opponents accuse you of being "afraid" of using force.
"Afraid, I just depoyed Green Berets and Navy SEALs!!! - I ain't afraid of shit!!!"
...see how easy it is.
There is no such thing as overuse; these are elite warriors in an all volunteer force that know exactly what they signed on for. If a senior leader makes too much noise then he is quietly move on to his next commanding officer job at Fort Living-Room.
Everything works in cycles. One party bites of more than they can chew, throws under supported SOF at the problem, eventually it escalates and the other party takes over, funds the force and seeks a real solution instead of a small scale appeasement. Rinse and repeat.
Just another cycle. The question is, will our economy collapse because our elected officials failed to manage the checkbook before the cycle comes back around to the next round of strong military funding.
...or I could be wrong. Who knows
Obama couldn't run a lemonade stand. America's military has answered the bell every time, they deserve a CINC worthy of their sacrifice.
Obama couldn't run a lemonade stand. America's military has answered the bell every time, they deserve a CINC worthy of their sacrifice.
I couldn't agree more, but I am not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
...on a related note; my sacrifices are for folks like you and my countrymen and you are all more than worthy. The CinC gets my full support because he is the CinC and it doesn't matter what his name is or whether he prefers red or blue corruption. Politicians are all the same and as a result, Al Bundy and Donald Duck would get the same level of respect.
I would gladly step in front of him without hesitation to save him in a moment of crisis, I cannot say I would do it without some regret.
I fear that the American welfare state may never again elect a president that is truly deserving of the sacrifice that America's young men and women offer.
Please pardon my cynicism.
Donald Duck doesn't wear pants - you gotta respect that.
Tango three
03-14-2014, 09:13
I believe Admiral McRaven states that he has difficulty meeting the requests of the combatant commanders (not the President) and further stated that this has been a problem throughout this looooooooooong war.
I would disagree with his assessment that this has been "Vietnam on steroids". During Vietnam we had an endless fresh supply of draftees. This has probably been more like Vietnam on crack.
Donald Duck doesn't wear pants - you gotta respect that.
Ehhh .... But he does wrap a towel around his waist when he gets out of the shower .... Go big or go home, is what I say.
:munchin
The Reaper
03-14-2014, 09:26
A large party of the problem here is the insatiable appetite by Theaters for military assistance deployments in countries where that may not be the best option.
It almost appears that JCETs and CNTs are awarded as political prizes regardless of their relative benefit, particularly to US forces.
TSOC requests need to be closely matched against limited resources, especially while we are at war. Limits need to be established and maintained. "No thanks" needs to be an acceptable answer.
Also, unless you think using an interpreter counts as having language and cultural skills, the only force of choice is SF, and SF, which is in short supply, will continue to be overtasked. Conventional forces and non-country qualified SOF doing FID are going to result in more cost than benefit.
Finally, VERY few, if any senior leaders are willing to turn down requests for forces, regardless of the impact on the Regiment. At the highest level, the answer is almost always, "Yes."
As money gets shorter, people get fewer, and resources disappear, this problem set is going to get worse, before it gets any better.
And frankly, I don't see our current leadership fixing the problem.
Just my .02, YMMV.
TR