Rumsfeld faces tough questions from troops

CNN.Com ^

[Drennan Whyte]

I notice that Rumsfeld didn't bother to answer the question.

[repinwi]

yes he did, if you read the article he stated "Rumsfeld replied that, "You go to war with the Army you have," not the one you might want, and that any rate the Army was pushing manufacturers of vehicle armor to produce it as fast as humanly possible.

And, the defense chief added, armor is not always a savior in the kind of combat U.S. troops face in Iraq, where the insurgents' weapon of choice is the roadside bomb, or improvised explosive device.

"You can have all the armor in the world on a tank and it can (still) be blown up," Rumsfeld said.

[Pedrobud]

I don't blame these soldiers. These soldiers deserve all the protection we can offer them, PERIOD. These men are willing to give their lives, but want to come home and see their familes. God Bless the troops

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[blaquebyrd]

"And, the defense chief added, armor is not always a savior in the kind of combat U.S. troops face in Iraq, where the insurgents' weapon of choice is the roadside bomb, or improvised explosive device.

BS answer from the SECDEF--nothing is "always" a savior but I guarantee the boots on the ground would rather have it than not. I bet his vehicle is sporting some of that "not always a savior" armor. Rummy, Our troops deserve better!

[dc27]

I was watching a show on the History Channel about the Sherman tank. They showed the troops putting whatever they could find to beef up the armor. The Tiger tanks were taking the Shermans to task.

[repinwi]

I whole heartedly agree with you.

[steplock]

these "civilians in uniform" had best learn discipline very quickly if they want to survive in a war zone.

If they continue to act like they are in the USAF, they will die.

ps - my reference in this case to the USAF is due to the OFFICIAL view of the USAF that war is NOT to close in and destroy your enemy --- they take a much more PC view. Unfortunately, a grunt cannot be PC and stay alive.

[marty60]

Maybe if this guy was more interested in killing the enemy, rather than his vehicle, this would not be a problem. No amount of Armor will stop a committed terrorist. He's living in a world of movies, not reality.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[repinwi]

Unfortunately, this article was brought to my attention from none other than a liberal on my local message board. Who delights in the doom and gloom of the war.

[Drennan Whyte]

"You can have all the armor in the world on a tank and it can (still) be blown up," Rumsfeld said.

That response was an insult to the men he's sending North without proper equipment. They're not asking for 'all the armor in the world', they just want enough on their vehicles to improve their chances of surviving their tour. We can crank out hundreds of thousands of SUVs each year, tens of thousands of Hummers for the civilian market, why hasn't Rumsfeld's Pentagon made it a priority to provide enough protected Humvees for the troops? Outsource the manufacture of the protective armor kits, award contracts to manufacturers who can do it better or faster, this has been a known issue for well over a year. The way that Rumsfeld dismissed the question demonstrates a lack of concern on his part.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[conservativecorner]

We have not been at war in Iraq for 3 years Army Spc. Thomas Wilson. The Iraq War was started in 2003. We have been at war with terrorists for 3 years. The marines just stomped the terrorists asses with what was in theater, and I think we field the finest military in the world with the finest equipment in the world.

Sounds like he answered the question to me!

Rumsfeld replied that, "You go to war with the Army you have," not the one you might want, and that any rate the Army was pushing manufacturers of vehicle armor to produce it as fast as humanly possible.

And, the defense chief added, armor is not always a savior in the kind of combat U.S. troops face in Iraq, where the insurgents' weapon of choice is the roadside bomb, or improvised explosive device.

"You can have all the armor in the world on a tank and it can (still) be blown up," Rumsfeld said.

Asked later about Wilson's complaint, the deputy commanding general of U.S. forces in Kuwait, Maj. Gen. Gary Speer, said in an interview that as far as he knows, every vehicle that is deploying to Iraq from Camp Buehring in Kuwait has at least "Level 3" armor. That means it at least has locally fabricated armor for its side panels, but not necessarily bulletproof windows or protection against explosions that penetrate the floorboard.

[Mr Rogers]

my reference in this case to the USAF is due to the OFFICIAL view of the USAF that war is NOT to close in and destroy your enemy --- they take a much more PC view.

News to me, but I've only got 21 years in...

As for these troops - wanting decent equipment, particularly several YEARS after the fight started, is not unreasonable.

[Quilla]

I'd like to have heard Sec. Rumsfeld say "Well, that sorry ba$tard Bill Clinton depleted military resources for eight years and we strive daily to restore and improve armor, munitions, and equipment for our brave troops."

[anniegetyourgun]

The liberals (and CNN - is that redundant?) hate Rummy.

[anniegetyourgun]

Welcome to FR, vvv....we got a million of 'em around here.