U.S. Officials Defend War Planning

#1 Postby **bfez1** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 2:13 pm

March 28 — Despite mounting criticism that they failed to anticipate the strength, resolve and tactics of Iraqi forces — including pointed comments from a U.S. general in the field — U.S. military planners insisted Friday that they have sufficient military might in place to topple Saddam Hussein and a war plan flexible enough to overcome whatever the enemy throws at them. Administration officials also rejected the criticism, which Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld attributed to “mood swings in the media.”

#2 Postby **Stephanie** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 2:39 pm

Actually, I think that the media is only repeating what had been said previously before and right after the war began. If they had enough might before, then why is it necessary for them to call up an additional 120,000 troops?

southerngale · #3 Postby **southerngale** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 3:04 pm

I cannot believe they have to defend a thing!!! These Monday morning armchair generals are really making me furious! I guess nothing short of predicting the future will make these determined critics happy. And predicting to 100% accuracy! They are prepared beyond anything ever seen previously in war and are adjusting to everything that pops up. WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE WANT????

Don't forget, we could take out Saddam and his regime without ANY coalition lives lost. But we refuse to risk civilian lives so the lives of OUR men and women are being lost because they willingly lay them down for the protection of others. And the thanks is that they are criticized at every turn!!

And these civilians aren't OUR civilians......but our opponents civilians!!!

God bless these people for doing their best and being the best at it in the world. God bless them for doing what so many of us haven't the courage to do!! They will get nothing from me but gratitude. Shame on the second guessers!

#4 Postby **Stephanie** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 3:34 pm

I hear your frustration Southerngale, but one of the people that is questioning the plan is someone that is on the front line.

Our troops are certainly more courageous than me too and they will always have my gratitude for the job that they "voluteered" for.

#5 Postby **Aslkahuna** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 4:25 pm

they will defend their planning. High muckety mucks in the Government will never admit mistakes. As for "mood swings in the media", a lot of those criticizing in the media are former Generals and Military Planners themselves. When a situation becomes FUBAR it's usually done by Experts (definition: Expert: X is the unknown quantity and a spurt is a drip under pressure). Additionally, anyone who has ever been a Commissioned Officer in the Military (such as AZ and myself) had to take Course work in strategy and tactics regardless of how they obtained their Commission and therefore have the wherewithal to be able to comment on what they think of the strategy and tactics being employed in a given situation. Finally, there is probably no better student of warfare than the frontline soldier and when they tell you that a situation is FUBAR, you better believe them!

Steve

#6 Postby **Stephanie** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 4:52 pm

I'd definately believe the front line soldiers before anyone else. However, I'm surprised that they are being so open with their opinions since it is disagreeing with what the higherups are saying.

#7 Postby **Aslkahuna** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 7:54 pm

for a frontline Commander to do so and when it happens you can rest assure that they are very concerned about the situation and the level of planning. In fact, Commanders who do express such reservations can be immediately relieved. The perfect example is when Truman relieved MacArthur during the Korean War (in fact, Douglas is probably turning over in his grave about now)

Steve

#8 Postby **Stephanie** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 8:42 pm

That's what I thought Steve. Good for him though!

#9 Postby **streetsoldier** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 9:01 pm

One of the things I've noticed is that the "military experts' on CNN, MSNBC and the "Big Three" are primarily people who served under either Carter or Clinton, and may therefore have partisan views...the general in the field who has complained is validated in that this war is not being fought AS a military operation, but with political considerations as well, IMHO (Jesus, 12,000 lawyers in the field? What sort of horse $"!+ is THIS?).

And, for the record, I, too held a "battlefield" commission...I'm no grand strategist, but a passing fair tactician...I had to be, as my "work" was usually "up close and personal".

#10 Postby **Stephanie** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 9:23 pm

I know that there's alot of vets on this board Bill and it's great to get all of your perspectives on how the war is being waged and what to expect.

It figures that the lawyers had to get into this somehow now doesn't it? :roll:

U.S. Officials Defend War Planning

U.S. Officials Defend War Planning

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