Masters of Chaos - Page 2

**Roguish Lawyer** · 02-04-2005, 11:08

I started it yesterday. Got through Just Cause. Very good read so far.

dennisw · 02-05-2005, 19:18

I finished the book a few weeks ago, enjoyed it very much. I'm not sure if it provides too much information. However, I thought chapter 16 was of interest. The author discusses Major General Lambert's recipe for fighting and winning asymmetric warfare in the future and the perspective role of sf. According to General Lambert and I'm quoting the author: "The Special Forceswould have permanent assignment to watch the hundred-plus terrorist groups and insurgencies around the world; to learn everthing about them - the interactions among them, the newly emerging groups and the constantly evolving asymmetric tactics. When a threat to U.S. interest appeared, it would be the job of the Special Forces to raise the flag and propose a couse of action to the national leadership....". "Special operations forces - the umbrella term for all the services'commando forces - would play two types of roles in such a broadened prevention-based strategy, roles which can be characterized as direct and indirect approaches." "It is not difficult to discern a natural division of labor. " In essence, SF would have a indirect role and be the "permanent warchers of insurgents, terrorists, and asymmetric tactics and the conductor of unconventional warfare". On page 363 she states that direct action missions would be undertaken by Delta, Seals and Rangers.

dennisw · 02-05-2005, 19:22

Not to belabor the point, but i'm not sure how this division of labor would be greeted. In August my wife and I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation by General Byran Brown to the World Affairs Council. Our host thought we would be interested as both are sons are 18x.

He provided a organization chart showing the various groups under the special ops banner. I was struct at the time that it would appear the Seals were somewhat out of place or left without a mission. Maybe General Lambert's view solves this problem, but it may create some unhappy campers.

SERPENT5XX · 02-06-2005, 11:17

dennisw,

Right now there are two theories on what SF should be doing in GWOT.

One is that SF should develop AND prosecute targets and the other theory is that SF should ONLY develop targets and then hand off those targets for some other entity to prosecute. I believe the “develop only” technique is misguided and inefficient. I have seen first hand that the successes OCONUS have been primarily coming from the first method. The “develop only” guys have their reasons for why they want to do that method, but I believe they stem from all the wrong reasons.

It has never been profitable when SF works itself in to just one very narrow line of work (the “mission” of coalition support for example).

I believe we are best off staying true to all of our core missions and DA is one of those.

SERPENT5XX

Jgood · 03-21-2005, 13:26

I just finished reading the book and enjoyed it very much... it gave me more drive to complete my goal and some day hopefully work with men of the caliber who were in the book..But i agree with SERPENT5XX about possible effects later on.

I am just a joe right now and i worry about some one targeting my family as a soft target, I spent 2 years as force protection at a base and saw just how soft our families are...

**Roguish Lawyer** · 05-18-2005, 13:27

OK, I just finished it after a long delay in between start and finish. Liked it. In the last chapter, she raises a number of interesting issues which might be good threads here. For example, she has theories about what went wrong in Iraq and where SF should go from here. I will try to remember to start some threads, but no time right now. One question, allegedly raised by GEN Lambert, is whether ODAs should include or have use of (through attachments or whatever) women and foreign nationals to better accomplish their missions.

Now I'm going to try to finish Ghost Wars.

Cosmic Trigger · 05-19-2005, 07:27

I just saw the book in borders yesterday. Very cool cover. All I could think about was the blood vessels bursting in a CJSOTF Sergeant Major's head when he sees those beards. IF YOU THINK YOU'RE COMING ON TO CAMP VANCE LOOKING LIKE THAT YOU'RE HIGH ON WOMBAT SHIT!!!

**Bill Harsey** · 06-15-2005, 19:36

Just finished the book.

My 9 year old daughter didn't know knifemakers could read.

jonn_07 · 07-06-2005, 19:45

A very good read. Very informative on the ways and bonds of the Special Forces to those who aren't.

jonn_07 · 07-06-2005, 19:46

Attention to detail. Enough said.

GTRich · 07-07-2005, 18:37

I thought it was a good read but I had a tough time keeping track of all the different characters.

seelow · 10-26-2005, 14:21

Hi,

this is my first post (besides my intro in the relevant thread), so I hope I won't commit to many faux-pas.

I just finished Masters of Chaos, by Linda Robinson. It was great read, and I was wondering what the QP around here thought about it.

I thought it was very insightful, but only from an outsider's perspective, so I'm looking for feedback from the other side of the fence to compare a bit.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Cheers, and be safe

**Roguish Lawyer** · 10-26-2005, 14:29

seelow:

Please use the search button to see whether a question already has been answered before asking it. Thanks.

seelow · 10-26-2005, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

seelow:

Please use the search button to see whether a question already has been answered before asking it. Thanks.

Dang...so much for the faux-pas...

Sorry about that, should have searched thoroughly first.

Thank you for moving it to the appropriate thread.

Cheers, and be safe.

BMT (RIP) · 11-13-2005, 18:47

I liked the part about the "SNOWBALL"!! Anyone want to drfine a Snowball?

BMT