Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen outlines a more restrained art of war

WaPo ^ | 3/6/10 | Greg Jaffe

[Nachum]

Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, outlined a new U.S. approach to war in a series of speeches this week that replaces overwhelming firepower with more restrained use of force to safeguard civilian lives.

The speeches, delivered at Kansas State University and the Army's Fort Leavenworth, amount to a formal effort on the part of the chairman to codify how a decade of combat is changing the military's understanding of its role in battle and, more broadly, its place in U.S. foreign policy

[Nachum]

The list, ping

[JMS]

This is both insane and treasonous. When Obama is kicked out, these pampered princes must be drummed out of the military. Our military is there to protect the US and our interests, not the enemy “civilians”.

[SpaceBar]

Having perused the good Admiral’s wikipedia page, it looks like he’s the typical career officer who’s spent his time climbing the ladder, has had numerous stints performing routine jobs and commanding others to push buttons to kill unseen enemies many miles away. It all leaves me wondering if he’s ever had to shoot one of those enemies in the face at point blank range while looking into their hate-filled eyes. I kinda doubt it.

[eyedigress]

I would have never survived. My family taught me to kick-ass and take names. I was the youngest of 7 and I believe the US Military got all they bargained for.

[Chgogal]

Admiral Mullen, talk to my mother who survived the American/British bombing of Berlin. The war had to be won, damn the torpedoes and damn the civilians. Get out of the War Businesses, Sir, if you are not willing to kill to wi.

[Chgogal]

wi=win

[eyedigress]

We know. There’s people who defend and those who capitulate, it’s everyday.

[Eagles6]

"In this type of war, when the objective is not the enemy's defeat..."

[BigCinBigD]

The sole job of our military is to break things and kill people.

[SpaceBar]

I couldn’t believe that quote, and reread the article slowly, and sho nuff. Mullen is unfit for any command imho, let alone chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

[Eagles6]

It’s gettin’ scary.

[MestaMachine]

This is beyond scary. It’s been one of my main complaints ever since the advent of the “new” hero, colin, the powell. We don’t have soldiers in charge. We have politicos.

[familyop]

If you want to prepare to submit to the unthinkable, give floating artillery bosses command over your army generals.

[familyop]

"When Obama is kicked out, these pampered princes must be drummed out of the military."

How's that? President Bush appointed Mullen. He followed the orders of his favored constituents, who want freight fuel prices to stay down as long as possible (so no chance of war with Iran).

It's all about anti-American trade deals and pathological social desires (see other family members of leaders). This new America has been rapidly in the making for several decades.

Enemies might launch nukes on us, but they won't conquer us due to their operational shortcomings. Bring on the big default. We need new leadership in business, academia, government and the military forces.

[familyop]

Don’t be so sure that Obama will be “kicked out,” either. Our political leadership (bipartisan oligarchy) obviously has more important social priorities than winning a world war. If it really becomes a popular concern, maybe our superiors will have mullen do speeches full of what television viewers perceive as manly rhetoric. Maybe find some quotes from Caligula. Or maybe they’ll just replace him with some pretty, old chick who’s said to larger giant testicles than men.

[crazydad]

Let it be written, Let it be done.

[VRWC For Truth]

Our enemies ain't concerned about civilian casualties. Mullen is a Potomicated idiot.

[phormer phrog phlyer]

There is a time and place for both, kinetic and non-kinetic. It is a fine line to walk when to use one over the other. The flags sometimes (most) loose sight and get all wrapped up on inside the beltway politics. As a result, Marines and soldiers get killed due to restrictive ROE. I don't see much changing this situation.

[chopperman]

Some people never learn. LBJ tried this. It was a disaster and resulted in defeat.