April 14, 2008
Posted by Mr_Hooah
War by Committee!?
Mr.Hooah! here. I probably shouldn’t do this but I just can’t help myself. I have to post. Maybe if I keep it short then the Misses won’t notice, eh?
I keep up with the comings and goings around Afghanistan just as a side interest. After all, if I had stayed on schedule I would be going over there in August to meet up with my unit in the 101st (they just took over for the 82nd) as a brand new ‘Red Leg’ officer. So I found the following article from the Captains Journal to be … uhm … disturbing. Link and excerpt follows:
Marines Mired in NATO Red Tape in Afghanistan
BY Herschel Smith
11 hours, 41 minutes ago
Introduction and Background
Several months ago upon following our commentary on the Afghanistan campaign, a field grade officer, and someone who is definitely in a position to know, contacted The Captain’s Journal and recommended that we focus our attention on the ongoing lethargy of the campaign due to NATO incompetence and inability to formulate a coherent and sensible strategy.
Soon after this we published NATO Intransigence in Afghanistanand The Marines, Afghanistan and Strategic Malaise. We have also pointed out that however bad a shadow NATO casts over the campaign in Afghanistan, the Taliban and al Qaeda have no such incoherence, and have settled on a comprehensive approach to both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Now from the Baltimore Sun, we learn just how bad the strategic malaise is and how prescient were our warnings.
Oh no. Not again. I’m not a big fan of the Baltimore Sun. However the author at Captains Journal seems to have other cooberating sources so maybe I shouldn’t be too skeptical. Yet, here is a quote from the conclustion and discussion section of the article that rings all too true for this old man …
But the problems run even deeper than strategy. The current NATO engagement is being run by committee, and the committee must settle everything from strategy to radio communications. This failure can only be laid at the feet of General McNeill. The Marines are deployed as a MEU, i.e., a Marine Expeditionary Unit. They are self sufficient, and are by design not intended to need much if any support from the balance of forces in theater. To require the Marines to work under the headship of a NATO committee not only has wasted time thus far, but the remainder of their time in Afghanistan is in jeopardy. Literally, the deployment of 3200 Marines to Afghanistan is in danger of redounding to no significant gains due to lack of leadership and NATO intransigence.
I could have sworn we knew better than to do this sort of thing to our troops. I think I’ll withhold judgement until I have more evidence to back this story up BUT I just have this sinking feeling in my heart of hearts that a certain General is fiddling while a certain country is beginning to burn, again.
I hope I’m wrong. You tell me. Radio check, over?
9 Comments
April 14, 2008
Mr.Hooah!
Roger! Sir….
Just from the few blogs I’ve read over the last year from A’stan. All seem to indicate a serious lack of cohesive leadership. The frustration levels of those men and women whose skills are waiting to be utilized must be astronomical.
Seriously, this has been the problem of many a team. Check out the earlier archives of Bill and Bob’s Adventure. This time last year, he was experiencing some of the very same problems. It didn’t seem to get too much better as the year went on.
But don’t take my word on it. Read everyone you can find that is in Afghanistan.
Further investigation by the higher ups should be mandated in the immediate future. Will it happen? Umm, NO, probably not.
The scary thing? There was almost no winter lull in fighting. Now spring time is here again. The taliban are already stepping up the attacks against the ANP. Being the less trained than the ANA. Just today, they reported 11 shot to death as they slept.
There is much that is going on that the MSM never reports, I try to read my facts from the independent journalist, blogs and foreign news sites. I could go on and on,. but….you get my drift.
I just hope that those “Leaders” wake up before it’s too late. A good swift kick in the a$$ might be what is called for right now. Any volunteers??
April 14, 2008
KY Woman, I personally volunteer you to go kick a little booty. I think you could do it too… I know what it takes to raise kids, and you have that one under your belt.
April 15, 2008
Uhg, is General McNiell of the Westmoreland mindset?
I think I’ll vote with Mrs.Hooah! on this one … Ky Woman is a good nominee. :wink
In the meantime I’ll take the advice and start looking more closely into Afghanistan. Maybe if enough mil bloggers raise a stink we can get the ball rolling. :ll
April 15, 2008
Ohh! Wouldn’t that be a hoot? Me in A’stan with cans of ‘whoop a$$’!
They wouldn’t know what hit em.
April 15, 2008
Yes, and that is part of the point. Isn’t it? :lol
Here it comes, the Ky Woman ‘shock and awe’!! :ha
But … on a serious note: Someone’s got to start it. Why not you? It can start in the blog-o-sphere as well as anywhere else …
April 15, 2008
Mr.Hooah!
Will take that thought to work with me to ponder whilst toiling…..
And you are right, “either you are part of the problem or part of the solution”.
I’d rather be part of the solution.
So, would you consider aiding and abetting??? :lb
April 15, 2008
The middle east would never be the same if you two stepped on the sand at the same time. I just know it. Now that Mr. Hooah! is back in the chemistry lab, I am willing to bet he would probably argue that you are either part of the solution or part of the precipitate. :~ :ch
April 16, 2008
I’m very good at aiding and abetting. What do you have in mind? :B)
April 16, 2008
Drop me a email… Miz Claire should have the addy.
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