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Prester John · 01-04-2010, 09:32

I would assume there would be significant pork in supplying the entire Army with Polaris quads and KL650's... But nowhere near the multi-million dollar price tag of each of these MRAPs... It isn't pleasant to think of how many soldiers lives are put at risk by channelizing them on the road in MRAPs. Or, that by channelizing them you are only temporarily securing a VERY narrow band of highway, and allowing the insurgents free roam in all areas off the MSR.

Here's a hypothetical:

A group of soldiers uses dirt bikes and ATV's to effectively eliminate the IED threat by NEVER getting on a MSR. All the riders are licensed and trained in an Army approved motorcycle and off-road driving class with a 45 hour POI and extensive hands on training.

The likelihood of an IED strike on heavily Coalition used roads in their particular province is so high that everyone views it as a question of "when" not "if".

The IED's being implemented have been made larger and larger in order to effectively breach and/or roll any armored vehicle they hit. Even the lucky ones inside this MRAPs are suffering TBI's, broken legs and ankles, and minor/major spinal injuries.

The MRAP is certified by its manufacturer to mediate most IED blasts and represents an approved and "safe" transportation alternative to less armored but more tactically useful and effective conveyances. Choosing the MRAP's is a decision that can't blow back on command, but is daily proven to be a liability for soldiers and harms the general strategic impact of our forces on this ever changing battle front.

How would command react to an isolated, non-combat accident on a dirt bike by one of these soldiers?

And I guess the real question, from someone who freely admits he doesn't have a great grasp on what the overall strategic objectives are in Afghanistan, is: Are we genuinely interested in impacting this battle space and improving the security of the Indigenous people?

I know the concept of the MRAP was meant to protect soldiers, but the enemy has developed TTP's to transform it from a safe means of transportation into a coffin on wheels, shouldn't our strategies change just as quickly?

01-04-2010, 09:32	#6
Prester John Quiet Professional Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pinehurst Posts: 253	I would assume there would be significant pork in supplying the entire Army with Polaris quads and KL650's... But nowhere near the multi-million dollar price tag of each of these MRAPs... It isn't pleasant to think of how many soldiers lives are put at risk by channelizing them on the road in MRAPs. Or, that by channelizing them you are only temporarily securing a VERY narrow band of highway, and allowing the insurgents free roam in all areas off the MSR. Here's a hypothetical: A group of soldiers uses dirt bikes and ATV's to effectively eliminate the IED threat by NEVER getting on a MSR. All the riders are licensed and trained in an Army approved motorcycle and off-road driving class with a 45 hour POI and extensive hands on training. The likelihood of an IED strike on heavily Coalition used roads in their particular province is so high that everyone views it as a question of "when" not "if". The IED's being implemented have been made larger and larger in order to effectively breach and/or roll any armored vehicle they hit. Even the lucky ones inside this MRAPs are suffering TBI's, broken legs and ankles, and minor/major spinal injuries. The MRAP is certified by its manufacturer to mediate most IED blasts and represents an approved and "safe" transportation alternative to less armored but more tactically useful and effective conveyances. Choosing the MRAP's is a decision that can't blow back on command, but is daily proven to be a liability for soldiers and harms the general strategic impact of our forces on this ever changing battle front. How would command react to an isolated, non-combat accident on a dirt bike by one of these soldiers? And I guess the real question, from someone who freely admits he doesn't have a great grasp on what the overall strategic objectives are in Afghanistan, is: Are we genuinely interested in impacting this battle space and improving the security of the Indigenous people? I know the concept of the MRAP was meant to protect soldiers, but the enemy has developed TTP's to transform it from a safe means of transportation into a coffin on wheels, shouldn't our strategies change just as quickly?
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