[FlagDayNCO]

As a Civilian now, I have an interesting job that crosses back and forth with Government Regulatory Agencies, Homeland Security, and Policy Makers. Part of our work involves identifying, auditing, and hardening of our locations. Included is the ever present, real time/ ongoing cyber-attacks to all of our networks.

Though my duties are specific to personnel security/ PSD work, I have an eye and ear on the "threat" scenarios. Of note is that the vast majority of government people involved in the analysis have no military experience. Those that do, only one or two have a combat arms background. Some of this is reflected in our top military leadership.

Significant is the way the government types view "War Fighting" and what roles the military will participate in. The "digital warrior" mentality is pervasive in everyone's thinking and planning.

Evident is the post-Gulf War (Desert Storm) train of thought that our military will be used to intervene in any conflict around the world. The idea that our military is our prime means of defense to these United States is missing.

Another alarming trend we will see is the US Military will be faced with Global Clean Up, or a Rapid Deployment Haz Mat operation. Look no further than Navy's advertisements : GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD. What is THAT?!?!

We have come a long way since facing off against the Nazis.

Our military is stretched way too thin. More alarming is the actual number of "men" in combat line units. When I joined in 1988, we had three full squads and a headquarters section in a line platoon, ,upwards of 35-40 men. Three line platoons per company, four line companies per battalion, etc. Today, that squad has nine men and only six are dismounts, if at full strength. There are only two line platoons, and the numbers overall are smaller.

The reliance on technology is insane. Boots on the ground. Men to carry the load.

The technology side is a huge push by the civilian leadership and the defense contractors, as our fighting forces can stay inside armored vehicles, farther away from the enemy forces. The risks they associate with men actually getting killed have diminished (in their view), so they are more likely to include the military in their planning for operations around the world, when they develop policy and courses of action. Same trends infect the increased use of drones. No one gets their hands dirty. Fly a drone, launch a missile or three, off to the D.C. bars to enjoy happy hour.

Sadly, our enemies still understand the reasons they fight. Ideological and political, they will continue on after the last toast at the club.