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To: NRA2BFree

There is an old Infantry saying. The only ground you “control” is the ground you are standing on.

There are several rules of thumb used to calculate the number of forces required. Typically, in an attack mode, you want to have 3 to 4 times the number of forces as the defender has but with modern combined assault ... perhaps that is more like 2.5 to 3.

To PATROL an area, you need about 5 times the number of opposing forces. Understand that increasing lethality does not help this number.

To OCCUPY an area, you need about 8 to 10 times the number of opposing forces.

To PACIFY an area, you need to have between 10 and 15 times the number of opposing forces.

Granted, for these numbers you can count any friendly police forces as well, but it is still a large personnel operation.

Boots on the ground are no longer the primary attack force but they still remain the number one post combat force requires .... and there is no substitution.


20 posted on 08/31/2007 11:45:44 AM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: DevSix

Sir, See #20, Your expert opinion is requested.


23 posted on 08/31/2007 2:50:10 PM PDT by ASA Vet
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To: taxcontrol
Too bad Rummy didn’t know this!!
35 posted on 09/02/2007 7:08:55 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Republican DOES NOT equal Conservative!)
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