Infantry and National Priorities

Albany Rifles · 01-02-2008, 11:36 AM

ARMED FORCES JOURNAL - Infantry and national priorities - December 2007

MG(R) Bob Scales has a very interesting and intriguing article abotu the future of infantry in the US military.

I found his most telling line to be; "...remember that if all the infantry in all the services were collected together in one place, they wouldn’t fill an NFL stadium." !!!

Thoughts?

ofogs · 01-02-2008, 14:30 PM

This was a very interesting read, particularly from a general who grew up as an Artillery guy. I found myself disagreeing with nearly every interpretation of historical anecdote he presented, but I think his central point about the need to improve and expand the capabilities and training of the Infantry is quite correct. I really like the acknowledgment of developing programs to train soldiers to deal with the stresses of close combat. While it's almost directly from Grossman, it still rings quite true.

I particularly disagree with the "Jessica Lynch Factor." Attacking Lines of Communication isn't a new thing and, quite frankly, the insurgents/terrorists in either country aren't doing a particularly good job of it at all. Nor do I buy into the air resupply as a means of decreasing vulnerability concept.

Albany Rifles · 01-02-2008, 14:39 PM

I would disagree with you on the lines of communications. They were a vulnerable spot in ther earlier days of the current conflict, mostly because our CSS soldiers did not know how to fight. That is changing.

I admit my view is across the distance of years and yours is more immediate. I am intersted to follow your views on this and other matters.

On to more important things...so do you think we are goin gto get Johan Santana? And who should we give up...Lester or Ellsbury? I would liek to keep 'em both but Ellsbury is another Fed Lynn..a a tad bit before your time!

Stay safe and Godspeed

ofogs · 01-02-2008, 14:52 PM

They were quite vulnerable, and, I believe, still are. As far as I can tell, we didn't even make a real effort to secure them during the initial invasion of Iraq. That being said, I can't see anything to indicate a planned effort to attack/sever the LOCs. Yes, there were numerous attacks, but were the attacks just because there were a lot of (primarily) Americans on the roads, or as part of a plan focused on disrupting supply (a la Lawrence of Arabia destroying Turkish railroads and forcing them to consume a lot of resources garrisoning the railroads)?

01-02-2008, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Albany Rifles *Defense Professional* *Military Professional* Join Date: 04-27-07 Location: Prince George, VA Posts: 1,021 Country:	Infantry and National Priorities ARMED FORCES JOURNAL - Infantry and national priorities - December 2007 MG(R) Bob Scales has a very interesting and intriguing article abotu the future of infantry in the US military. I found his most telling line to be; "...remember that if all the infantry in all the services were collected together in one place, they wouldn’t fill an NFL stadium." !!! Thoughts? __________________ "Always with the negative waves Moriarty, always with the negative waves." TSGT Oddball, Tank Commander

01-02-2008, 14:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Albany Rifles *Defense Professional* *Military Professional* Join Date: 04-27-07 Location: Prince George, VA Posts: 1,021 Country:	Ofogs I would disagree with you on the lines of communications. They were a vulnerable spot in ther earlier days of the current conflict, mostly because our CSS soldiers did not know how to fight. That is changing. I admit my view is across the distance of years and yours is more immediate. I am intersted to follow your views on this and other matters. On to more important things...so do you think we are goin gto get Johan Santana? And who should we give up...Lester or Ellsbury? I would liek to keep 'em both but Ellsbury is another Fed Lynn..a a tad bit before your time! Stay safe and Godspeed Last edited by Albany Rifles : 01-02-2008 at 14:42 PM.

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01-02-2008, 14:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
ofogs *Military Professional* Join Date: 09-27-07 Location: North Carolina Posts: 68 Country:	This was a very interesting read, particularly from a general who grew up as an Artillery guy. I found myself disagreeing with nearly every interpretation of historical anecdote he presented, but I think his central point about the need to improve and expand the capabilities and training of the Infantry is quite correct. I really like the acknowledgment of developing programs to train soldiers to deal with the stresses of close combat. While it's almost directly from Grossman, it still rings quite true. I particularly disagree with the "Jessica Lynch Factor." Attacking Lines of Communication isn't a new thing and, quite frankly, the insurgents/terrorists in either country aren't doing a particularly good job of it at all. Nor do I buy into the air resupply as a means of decreasing vulnerability concept.

01-02-2008, 14:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
ofogs *Military Professional* Join Date: 09-27-07 Location: North Carolina Posts: 68 Country:	They were quite vulnerable, and, I believe, still are. As far as I can tell, we didn't even make a real effort to secure them during the initial invasion of Iraq. That being said, I can't see anything to indicate a planned effort to attack/sever the LOCs. Yes, there were numerous attacks, but were the attacks just because there were a lot of (primarily) Americans on the roads, or as part of a plan focused on disrupting supply (a la Lawrence of Arabia destroying Turkish railroads and forcing them to consume a lot of resources garrisoning the railroads)?

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