And to think the M-8 AGS was already developed, approved for production, and Shinseki cancels it to adopt the Stryker POS. Perfect example of why the procurement system is corrupt and broken beyond repair.
General Shelton Chair Joint Chiefs in 2000 said:
The Chief of Staff’s revolutionary plan has not been free of criticism from other high-ranking Army officers. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry H. Shelton, who serves as the highest ranking officer in the entire US military, recently offered a note of caution concerning the Shinseki Transformation plan even while he continues to support its overall objectives.
I’m all in favor of increased agility, lethality and mobility...But there is a fundamental flaw in the logic that we can achieve this only at the expense of our 2-MTW capability. ... (which) allows us to meet our commitments to our allies. If we abandon our 2-MTW capability, we risk our own security and the security of our friends around the world.
General Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, June 16, 2000
General Shelton argued against allowing the Shinseki plan to do away with the ‘heavy’ forces from going too far to degrade or even eliminate the ability of the US Army to fight and win two simultaneous major theater wars (MTWs). Shelton stated that those who say the United States should
abandon its capability to fight two MTWs are wrong.
So what we get is the 1968 design that weighs 42 freaking tons? How is it possible to be better on fuel than prior?
This is one screwed up notion from the abject failure— Shinseki.