Posted on 06/15/2014 12:11:27 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Don't judge platoon
I am not in position to judge Mr. Bergdahl, but I get a strong case of nausea when I read political and military experts passing judgments against his platoon. These political and rear-echelon military experts sitting on their fat fannies in air-conditioned offices calling them a raggedy bunch, undisciplined and wearing headbands and cut-off T-shirts. What do they expect? Those guys on outposts in dangerous territories are trying to survive, not go on parade. I can recall duty in the Pacific in WWII where our uniforms consisted of even less. If those so quick to judge those on outpost had to spend just one night out there, they would be basket cases.
James Ward, World War II and Korea veteran, Italy, Texas
Know a no-win situation
Why do we keep going to war? The United States hasn’t won a war since it defeated Japan by dropping two atomic bombs. The idea that we are a “superpower” militarily has not been proven in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. We may have the hardware to combat global warfare, but we have no tactical ability against un-uniformed militias and terrorist groups.
And we have Sen. John McCain saying that the current situation in Iraq is a “direct threat to the United States.” This is the same person who said that the trade for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was bad. This is the same person who spent many years in the “Hanoi Hilton” but was repatriated because the United States traded for him and his fellow prisoners. We traded South Vietnam because we couldn’t win.
When will we ever learn?
Bill Seifert, LTC, USAF, Ret., Arlington (continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at letterstotheeditorblog.dallasnews.com ...
how would those bastards that have been critical of that platoon handle the impossible ROE those brave Americans had to try to operate under ?
No doubt they would need to bring along 10 extra sets of clean underwear. They could not "contain" themselves under those ROE.
absolutely
Sometimes the best soldiers in the field are the ones that look a bit ragged. I had a buddy in the 198th LIB in Viet Nam who led a batallion recon plt. When they landed at a Firebase helipad after being extracted, a visiting Brigadier General told the battalion commander, “Colonel, your men look a bit ragged”
‘Sir. Those are “Lucky’s Animals”. They have the highest kill ratio in the brigade” The Colonel proudly replied.
Despite their rough appearance from being in the jungle for long periods of time, they were probably the best small unit in the battalion. So much so that the NVA had put a $500 bounty on the lt and 50 bucks on any of his men.
Judge results? Crazy talkin!
I thought snap judgments with no investigation was the new thing.
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