Generals: Army spending too much time fighting insurgents.
Generals: Army spending too much time fighting insurgents.
A report in Inside Army finds that some generals are worried “the new emphasis on…counterinsurgency may be undermining conventional [big war] capabilities“:
Gen. Richard Cody, the Army vice chief of staff, was the first to sound the alarm publicly late last year. He warned that soldiers need more than 12 months between deployments so that they can complete a full range of combat training.
“We need to reset the sergeants and send them to schools, the lieutenants and captains and send them off, so that we don’t erode and become an Army that only can fight a counterinsurgency,” Cody told reporters. He added that North Korea’s Oct. 3 nuclear test “reminds us all that we may not just be in a counterinsurgency fight and we have to have full-spectrum capability.”
Danger Room’s Noah Shachtman responds, “Excuse me, General. But when the Army has spent the last five years or so fighting a pair of insurgencies — and not exactly burnt out the scoreboard with its performance — isn’t it time to make counterinsurgency a core competency?”
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Why do these generals hate the troops?
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:31 pmAs long as MuslimShiteaters ™ are dying, we are winning.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:34 pmWell who else would they be fighting? Saddam is as dead as it gets…
Oh yeah, the very same Iraqi people they claimed to be LIBERATING… Jesus Christ, can we freaking Impeach these lying criminal tyrants already?
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:35 pmMr. President,
As long as you are here posting, we are all losing.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:35 pmSister Presdient is a hypocrite who can’t define acerebralist despite knowing the root meanings and getting several hints…
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:36 pmOne of the problems with fighting multiple conflicts on multiple fronts is that it leaves our nation exposed to conventional threats. We currently have troops operating in Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Samolia, Djabouti, Phillipines, etc. This stretches our military forces to such a degree that we are left exposed to the more conventional attacks that have always been a threat. This also limits our ability to respond to an attack on one of our allies.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:37 pmAs long as MuslimShiteaters â„¢ are dying, we are winning.
Comment by Mr. President — July 2, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Again with this drivel. What the hell is a MuslimShiteater. I am convinced this is some TP inside joke as no one could ever be so annoying and deliberately offensive. Well other than MAF54 who also won’t explain their need to intentionally try to flame everything for attention
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:38 pmAs long as MuslimShiteaters â„¢ are dying, we are winning.
Comment by Mr. President — July 2, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Life must be simple, for someone as simple minded as you? If the rate at which new *insurgents* are being created is less than they’re being taken out – then no, that’s not true. Unless you plan the very *unchristian?* approach of Genocide – it just means that you create more radicalism, and destroy all of that *globalization* you wingnuts keep whining is the goal for your NeoCon/NeoIsrael new world order.
But hey, if you want to f*ck yourself in the name of simple-minded ideology, and religious fanaticism, who am I to point out that it only makes you look more st*pid and foolish than Bush…
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:39 pmAgain with this drivel. What the hell is a MuslimShiteater. Comment by “dave” badass — July 2, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
In the case of Mr. President – it’s referring to his sexual proclivities, and sloppy *rimming* technique….
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:40 pm#9
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:42 pmThanks that clears it up.
Oh and by the way, “Dave’s not here man”
As long as MuslimShiteaters â„¢ are dying, we are winning.
Comment by Mr. President — July 2, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
If Muslims were “shiteaters” , that would have left you headless , long ago ……….
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:45 pmAs long as MuslimShiteaters â„¢ are dying, we are winning.
Comment by Mr. President — July 2, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
You think this some kind of joke. What an a*shole. Those are real people dying, as*hole, including plenty of women and children.
What a sick loser.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:45 pmAs long as MuslimShiteaters â„¢ are dying, we are winning.
Comment by Mr. President
What a fscking idiot…..
On subject, Cody is correct, with the short home time between deployments the readiness of the troops deteriorate.
The whole Iraq War is a failure, started on a false premise ( where are the WMDs? ) and the stupid military blunders since winning the war, such as securing the Oil Minestry rather than securing the known weapon and ammo dumps. ( we invaded for WMDs, right? )
The way the whole war has been run by the Bush (mis)Administration is nothing short of incompetent.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:45 pmIt is absolutely amazing to see how well we have given Osama Bin Laden what he strived to accomplish with the 9/11 attacks. Al Quaeda wanted to ensnare us in an endless low level war in the middle east. they succeeded although they though it would be Afghanistan as opposed to Iraq. They wanted to destroy our international reputation. They have accomplished that mission. They wanted to bankrupt the United States and we have obliged them with the Bush tax cuts during a war. They wanted to recruit tens of thousands to their cause. Thanks to Bush and his Iraq adventure, GTMO and similar actions; Al Quaeda has grown from as small group to a major world wide organization.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:46 pmWhat a fscking idiot…..
Yeah, it is just another Bush supporter showing his true colors. With only friends like that, Bush won’t need any enemies when he leaves office.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:47 pmChimpy just commuted Scooter Libby’s prison sentence ……….
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:48 pmNice job Pres. I remember way back a few weeks when you told me that the only reason you come here is to get a rise out of people. I figured these results from your comments, I guess there’s certain buttons most people can’t resist – racism being one of them.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:48 pmIf Muslims were “shiteaters†, that would have left you headless , long ago ……….
Comment by MCMetal
From what he posts, I think he is already headless. The substance of his posts are pulled right out of his a$$, no thought involved.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:48 pmPlease do not respond hatefully to Mr. P.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:48 pmMr. P is hurting. He has a hole that cannot be filled. That hole may have been caused from hatred for being born. I don’t say that to be mean.
Its just that he may wish to die hurting himself or others before loving.
Blessings to you Mr. P.
Where is Bin Laden?
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:51 pmChimpy just commuted Scooter Libby’s prison sentence ……….
Comment by MCMetal
Proving that the Republicans are crooks and enablers for Felons.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:53 pmBush just tossed the chance of Republicans winning any elections in the near future…..
Comment by leftcoast — July 2, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:54 pmYOU DON’T KNOW ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice job Pres. I remember way back a few weeks when you told me that the only reason you come here is to get a rise out of people. I figured these results from your comments, I guess there’s certain buttons most people can’t resist – racism being one of them.
Comment by Namtillaku — July 2, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Sorry I missed the mea culpa. Still I’d be happy to wipe up the mess after this annoyance’s ass has been thoroughly kicked. Get a rise out of an electronic board? Get a freaking life loser. Go talk your silly shit on the streets unless you’re afraid.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:57 pmBush has become an activist judge!
July 2nd, 2007 at 6:12 pmGet a freaking life loser. Go talk your silly shit on the streets unless you’re afraid.
Comment by dbadass — July 2, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
Are you trying to make a point here? Because I have no idea what you’re talking about.
July 2nd, 2007 at 6:19 pmGet a freaking life loser. Go talk your silly shit on the streets unless you’re afraid.
Comment by dbadass — July 2, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
Are you trying to make a point here? Because I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Comment by Namtillaku — July 2, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Sorry for the confusion. I was suggesting that if The Pres. really believes his/her nonsense they should get real rather than seeking a “rise” from folks here.If that is all they seek then their opinions carry no weight. No disrespect to you intended. I find Mr. President to be annoying which seems the goal
July 2nd, 2007 at 6:25 pmGotcha – thanks. I’m in agreement with you of course, and I doubt that it will ever stop trying – but it’s useful to be reminded sometimes that Mr. President is a troll in the truest sense, admitting it right here. Deplorable as its comments are, knowing this helps to lay off and ignore sometimes.
July 2nd, 2007 at 6:29 pmPlease continue to engage Mr. President. It’s is a small price to pay to put up with the ridiculous drivel it posts to not have a suicide on our hands. Remember Rachel?
The pitiful wretch is screaming for attention. Look past what it posts and pity the insecure loser.
July 2nd, 2007 at 6:38 pmOne solution to fix Iraq. Resurrect Sadaam from the dead and reinstate to power. I mean it is as reasonable as any other solution.
July 2nd, 2007 at 6:40 pmCheck out this article from those damned cut and run liberals at Army Times.
Analysis: Only Iraqis, not U.S., can win
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Patreas has fallen in love with himself. He has prepared all his life for battle and he is clearly in love with the power and thrills of the occupation. His rationales for US military action are utterly foolish and propaganda to keep his war fun going.
He has done a miserable job articulating clear military objectives and goals.
He has failed to garner bipartisan respect, trust or support.
Gates should shut him up now.
Get rid of Patreas and get our troops out of the cross hairs of this civil war.
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:37 pmComment by leftcoast — July 2, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
YOU DON’T KNOW ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Mr. President — July 2, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
Now that’s an interesting response…..
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:08 pmSorry Zooey but no it isn’t. It’s just annoying. Damn somebody needs a dopeslap!!
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:25 pmArmy spending too much time fighting insurgents.
Right, because it’s not as if the US Army ever needs to know how to fight an insurgency.
Why is everyone in this administration so eager to shoot themselves in the foot?
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:15 pmDanger Room’s Noah Shachtman responds, “Excuse me, General. But when the Army has spent the last five years or so fighting a pair of insurgencies — and not exactly burnt out the scoreboard with its performance — isn’t it time to make counterinsurgency a core competency?â€
Not according to every article here at TP which complains about every single aspect of adopting a counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq.
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:19 pmLOL why are you ?
When the generals refer to spending time on a counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq, they are talking about something that will be measured in decades.
You just suggested committing less time to this was somehow a bad idea.
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:21 pm“Oh and by the way, “Dave’s not here man—
Comment by dbadass — July 2, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
Heh :D
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Comment by Alejandro — July 2, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
Thanks for the link, Alejandro, good article.
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 pmThe Generals need to spend more time in the field, on the front lines, before they spew any more stupidity.
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:04 amBefore the war started the Pentagon stated that 400,000+ troops would not be enough. Before the first Gulf war started President George H. Bush realised that toppling Saddam Hussein would only produce chaos in the region. With that in mind, the President started his war with 125,000 troops and no post-war plan. Add arbitrary dismissal of the Iraqi army and police forces and you get the typical George H. mess. Unfortunately its the Iraqi people and our military that have to pay this particular bill, because there’s nobody to bail George H. out this time. An army’s job is to defend its country, not to fight guerillas. This country’s military is the finest in the world, if you let them do their job. Their job is not to act as a police/counterinsurgency agency. Our guys got stuck with this mess courtesy of the leadership of the George H. Bush. Heck of a job, Georgie.
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:54 amtesting…
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:22 pm