19 May
MILINET: 2nd Resp "On Recent Wars--Fred Reed
======================
I do not know Fred Reed or is background, so I will do my best to not disrespect him. His editorial and definition of a Warrior and how a Warrior thinks is totally off the mark, especially when it comes to why the enemy is frustrating US operations in Iraq. Now, I cannot speak on the command philosophy of the current military leadership, being that I left Iraq in July 04, but I can speak about my own.
While I was in theater from May 03 to July 04, my acting division commander, then BG Martin Dempsey, stressed the importance of Winning the Hearts and Minds of the People. This was not a form of lip service told to the lower level leadership to make good press. General Dempsey’s words were true and sincere, and more importantly, was a major part of his command ethos. His brigade and battalion commanders throughout Baghdad stressed the same philosophy down to the soldier level. Winning the Hearts and Minds, as General Dempsey knew, was imperative to our success in restoring order to the region and helping the Iraqi people regain the dignity which they had lost during Saddam’s regime.
As a man who considers himself a Warrior, I am very taken aback by Fred Reed’s definition of who he assumes I and my brothers in arms are. When I became an officer in the US Army, I swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic. As an officer, I am to obey all orders, as long as they are moral and lawful. I sympathize with Fred Reed’s loss from Vietnam. I have lost friends and soldiers, as well. I ask Fred Reed this, though; would he have all military servicemen and women revolt against their leadership and “boycott” the war? I pray that that is not what he is thinking.
I propose that what makes us Warriors so great is that we are able to take emotion out of a situation, while executing the mission. Emotion can cloud judgment and disable soldiers and Marines from executing with precision and accuracy.
If you look at paragraphs 10 – 12, you’ll see that Fred Reed actually talks himself into a corner and does not realize it. He admits that the only reason why he is against US operations in Iraq is because he and his anti-Vietnam friends are not in favor. He admits that he has allowed the enemy to shape and mold his opinion and that he is willing to give the enemy the victory, in order to save his own conscience.
As poor as the reporting is in Iraq (this I know from first hand experience), how often have they reported of US soldiers or Marines abusing local citizens? This is a rhetorical question because I do not know of any. While I was in theater, the Iraqis in my district genuinely loved us, and the feeling was mutual. Our current frustration in our operations comes from the political leadership not understanding the history and culture of the region. Soldiers and Marines on the ground are regularly frustrated by the decisions that senior leadership makes because those creating policy and planning strategy do not have a true handle of what the current situation truly is and what it takes/would take to WIN. While I was in theater, there were several missions that were cancelled just seconds before execution. Our civilian leader on the ground, Ambassador Paul Bremer, was afraid to take risks and was very timid and overly cautious in his decision making.
I can go on and on, but to say that the mind set of the soldiers and Marines and their leaders on the ground is the reason why operations are not meeting public favor is a cop out. Fred Reed’s commentary of America’s Warriors shows that he does not have a viable solution to present to those of us who are formulating policies and stratgies that will improve our ability to WIN. Instead of placing blame on our men and women who proudly serve, maybe Fred Reed should take a look in the mirror. As one of my Beast squad leaders once said, “If your’re not a part of the solution, then you’re a part of the problem.” The blame game needs to stop now!
In short, Fred Reed does not get it.
Terron D. Sims, II
Senior Analyst
Augmentation Branch, Current Operations Division
G3, Headquarters, Department of the Army
~~~~~~~~~~
R.W. "Dick" Gaines
GnySgt USMC (Ret.)
1952 (Plt #437)--'72
GyG's Globe and Anchor! --Sites & Forums
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/dickg/sites.html
GyG's Old Salt Marines Tavern ~Interactive~
http://network54.com/Forum/135069
Gunny G's Globe and Anchor Weblog
http://gunnyg.blogspot.com
~SITES/FORUMS FOR THE THINKING MARINE!~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
