Back to the future for DoD

[Invictus]

Saw this posted by CSM Hall and thought it was interesting. Would like to hear feedback from others on their thoughts.
Some of the omissions were interesting....

Back to the Future for DoD
by Dave Duffy
January 6, 2012 - 1:05pm


After reading the Strategic Guidance released yesterday by the President and SECDEF, I was encouraged by it for the most part. While this is not to be confused with a strategy, there is guidance, so that is a good thing. Definitely calls for a leaner military, taking advantage of our technological edge (ironic in that was what Mr Rumsfeld intended as well). It does seem that there is a great desire to return to the pre-9/11 world, except now China is the focus of our efforts vice the Axis of Evil. The Air/Sea Battle concept is prevalent throughout, while not specifically mentioned in the document it is prominently between the lines in multiple places. This emphasis will protect and replenish the Air Force and Navy that have been neglected (in their minds) this last decade. This will come primarily at the expense of the Army, who can expect to go back to the NTC/JRTC pre-9/11 life. USMC will likely refocus as a maritime expeditionary force so as to take advantage of the Asia pivot and Air/Sea Battle concept.

Full Story

[RangerX]

URL has an = at the end that messed it up for me.... Good reading so far....

[Invictus]

Fixed it, thanks.

[K.Ingraham]

This so-called "strategy" is ass-backwards. The nation must first decide what its national security needs are and prioritize them. It must then fund the means to defend critical interests. What this administration has done is to determine what will be spent on the war department and has tried to make up a strategy that can be shoehorned into the budget.
Even worse is that the nation could care less.

[Slowpoke]

We are forever doomed to fighting THIS war with the LAST wars tactics and lessons learned. If the next war is in South America or the jungles of the Phillipines our "technological advantage" will not mean shit.

[goon175]

I think K.Ingraham hit the nail on the head. Priorities, how much they will cost, and then budget. Not the other way around.... and it seems to me that every G.O. and senior CSM is biting at the bit to return to "the good ol' days" when those pesky wars weren't around to distract from painting rocks and mowing lawns. I am a little bit irritated by the lackluster effort of the congress and president, as well as the general attitude of senior leaders in the Army right now.

[GoldCoast]

At the beginning of the wars it seemed like everyone was in a hurry to forget everything they learned about standards during peace time. Now that Iraq is over and everyone thinks Afghanistan is winding down it seems like everyone wants to forget the things they learned during war time because it is the easy path. I am convinced that 99% of the Army is just looking for the easiest path from point A to point B (point B being whatever advances your personal career and makes you feel good) with zero regard for common sense or standards. Like the old timers have already said, it is a cycle. A stupid vicious cycle.

*EDITED TO ADD* I do like the fact that people will be forced to diet. I doubt the PT test will stand the test of time. I don't like the fact that we just can't seem to get the uniforms right. I don't need three patterns; just pay the dude that came up with Multi-cam already. We've wasted too much time and money trying to save a few million. The Army is pushing a new philosophy - "Profession of Arms" on junior leaders. I read it, and while I thought there was some good stuff, overall I was unimpressed. Some folks are trying, but we're still missing the mark.

Here is a link Profession of Arms.PDF

[goon175]

Yeah don't even get me started on the "profession of arms" campaign.

[colt1rgr]

I am a little bit irritated by ........the general attitude of senior leaders in the Army right now.

As am I, but I guess its only fair to surmise that since GOs are pretty much serving at the whims of the CINC and..... since the CINC is a Socialist POS, its all about survival in their eyes. Not too many DWGs floatin' around these days, all are afraid to speak the truth lest the axe falleth. Assclown gets re-elected (which SADLY I think he will) our military is in for some hard times as is our country. I'm hopin' for the best but expectin' the worst.

[goon175]

hopin' for the best but expectin' the worst.

YUP!


As far as G.O.'s following the whims of obama-rama, I definately know and understand that. But there are certain things going on that the president would have no influence involved. For example...they say they are chaning the uniform this year, and are working out which one they will go with.....really!? We wasted hundreds of millions if not billions on the piss poor excuse for a uniform ACU's, and now the Army is actively fielding and already spent tons of money on Multi-cam - and it works great! So what is the debate? Are we gonna not use multi cam after we have already spent all this money on it? Not to derail the conversation to the uniform issue, but that is just one example of the frustration I feel about decisions being made.

[Buddha]

hopin' for the best but expectin' the worst.

YUP!


As far as G.O.'s following the whims of obama-rama, I definately know and understand that. But there are certain things going on that the president would have no influence involved. For example...they say they are chaning the uniform this year, and are working out which one they will go with.....really!? We wasted hundreds of millions if not billions on the piss poor excuse for a uniform ACU's, and now the Army is actively fielding and already spent tons of money on Multi-cam - and it works great! So what is the debate? Are we gonna not use multi cam after we have already spent all this money on it? Not to derail the conversation to the uniform issue, but that is just one example of the frustration I feel about decisions being made.

Try working at the Pentagon for a few years...

[colt1rgr]

hopin' for the best but expectin' the worst.

YUP!


As far as G.O.'s following the whims of obama-rama, I definately know and understand that. But there are certain things going on that the president would have no influence involved. For example...they say they are chaning the uniform this year, and are working out which one they will go with.....really!? We wasted hundreds of millions if not billions on the piss poor excuse for a uniform ACU's, and now the Army is actively fielding and already spent tons of money on Multi-cam - and it works great! So what is the debate? Are we gonna not use multi cam after we have already spent all this money on it? Not to derail the conversation to the uniform issue, but that is just one example of the frustration I feel about decisions being made.

Try working at the Pentagon for a few years...

I'm feeling your pain, that goes to both of you

[goon175]

Pentagon? Gross....

[Buddha]

Pentagon? Gross....

Yup.