Full Version: Is the U.S. overextending her troops?
Bush has already vowed that he would not overextend our troops in Liberia: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...sh_030709225911
The questions are simple:
1. Has the U.S. already overextended our troops?
2. Will going to Liberia make it worst?
3. What do we need to do to prevent this?
The questions are simple:
1. Has the U.S. already overextended our troops?
2. Will going to Liberia make it worst?
3. What do we need to do to prevent this?
Let’s consider the meaning of overextended. There isn’t any. There is no way to define that without psychic ability.
Our force structure requires a certain percentage of soldiers renewing their commitments. Potential shortages are projected well in advance, and new recruitments follow. It is relatively easy to persuade an 18 year old to sign on for 3 years of his life, with the promise of training, a steady though small income, subsequent tuition assistance, and adventure.
It is much more difficult to persuade a competent, well trained and very valuable military member to sign on again when the future looks especially dismal. The slogan ‘service before self’ only goes so far. When it becomes synonymous with ‘Service in everlasting hell before family’ service members (especially the well trained, irreplaceable kind) will get out.
Editted to add...Oops. Forgot to answer the questions 1)Yes 2)Probably 3)Stop the insanity
Oh, yeah...One more crazy idea. Since our forces are mainly for defense. Has anyone thought about the possibility that we, or one of our closest allies might actually be attacked and need a defense? How would that go right now?
Our force structure requires a certain percentage of soldiers renewing their commitments. Potential shortages are projected well in advance, and new recruitments follow. It is relatively easy to persuade an 18 year old to sign on for 3 years of his life, with the promise of training, a steady though small income, subsequent tuition assistance, and adventure.
It is much more difficult to persuade a competent, well trained and very valuable military member to sign on again when the future looks especially dismal. The slogan ‘service before self’ only goes so far. When it becomes synonymous with ‘Service in everlasting hell before family’ service members (especially the well trained, irreplaceable kind) will get out.
Editted to add...Oops. Forgot to answer the questions 1)Yes 2)Probably 3)Stop the insanity
Oh, yeah...One more crazy idea. Since our forces are mainly for defense. Has anyone thought about the possibility that we, or one of our closest allies might actually be attacked and need a defense? How would that go right now?
I thought this article was worth adding to this old thread:
will the volunteer force collapse?
will the volunteer force collapse?
QUOTE
These are the pressures that the Army is confronting even as it continues to wage war in Afghanistan and Iraq, deter war in Korea and perform various other missions. From what I gather from some of my sources, the conditions are equally bad in the other services. Unfortunately our elected leaders appear to have placed their own political agendas ahead of national security.
The manpower crunch is expected to continue, as the war against terrorism remains an open-ended commitment. We are also expected to remain in Iraq “as long as needed,” and the peace is proving to be more difficult than the war. Our other military commitments that have gone on for many years – primarily the defense of South Korea – are not expected to end soon.
These deployments will continue putting a strain on our military forces and their families. Both the Pentagon and the Congress must realize that the situation has deteriorated to a point that something must be done quickly if we are to avoid a collapse of the all-volunteer military by a mass exodus of the troops.
The manpower crunch is expected to continue, as the war against terrorism remains an open-ended commitment. We are also expected to remain in Iraq “as long as needed,” and the peace is proving to be more difficult than the war. Our other military commitments that have gone on for many years – primarily the defense of South Korea – are not expected to end soon.
These deployments will continue putting a strain on our military forces and their families. Both the Pentagon and the Congress must realize that the situation has deteriorated to a point that something must be done quickly if we are to avoid a collapse of the all-volunteer military by a mass exodus of the troops.
If and when the UN decides to join the party, we will be able to bring a huge chunk of our boys home.
QUOTE(goamerica @ Aug 28 2003, 10:55 PM)
If and when the UN decides to join the party, we will be able to bring a huge chunk of our boys home.
I'd prefer that they be brought back whole.
Sorry, I know what you meant, I just couldn't resist.
QUOTE
1. Has the U.S. already overextended our troops?
2. Will going to Liberia make it worst?
3. What do we need to do to prevent this?
2. Will going to Liberia make it worst?
3. What do we need to do to prevent this?
1. No, we always have the draft.
2. No.
3. Incorporate and involve the UN further, or instate the draft.
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