Can we successfully fight ISIS without the ground-pounding grunts?

2015-02-11T22:33:50-05:00

The United States has been leading this fight against Isis since the groups emergence. To my knowledge (please don't quote me), our fight against Isis has been limited to the air because our country (US) does not want any boots on the ground.

My question to the RallyPoint community is; has our nation ever won a war without having boots on the ground? Can we successfully fight Isis without the ground-pounding grunts? My answer is No! I look forward to your responses.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 10:39 PM

2015-02-11T22:39:09-05:00

Nope. We definitely need a certain amount of the proverbial "boots on the ground" in order to properly conduct a serious operation. Now as to whether we'll be able to eradicate ISIS, well, that's a very tricky question considering the state of the government at this time.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 11 at 2015 10:50 PM

2015-02-11T22:50:46-05:00

I'm a Geek, A retired Navy Technician. Most everything I dealt with was long range reach out and touch someone. I see nothing wrong with Dronning them, Tomahawk and a variety of other Long Range Toys and if need be in the right situations, Navy Seals do excellent work. "Boots on the Ground" hasn't worked well for the US in a long time, Since WWII. Best result since was/is the Stalemate in Korea which will require is sitting sidesaddle with them forever. No, I'm not a big fan of the "Boots on the Ground" Idea.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-02-11T23:00:33-05:00

Operations Desert Storm and Shield, and the NATO interventions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo started with major air campaigns and needed a "Boots on the Ground" force to accomplish the mission. In my opinion some sort of ground force will be needed but that is a decision for people way above my pay grade.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 4:01 AM

2015-02-12T04:01:26-05:00

Here's a question for you. Have we ever lost a war/conflict having boots on the ground?

I agree that to absolutely win there has to be Soldiers/Marines on the ground physically occupying and holding that dirt.

With that said, those Soldiers/Marines need the strategic plan to compliment winning. If you are dedicated to defeating Daesh, IS, ISIS, ISIL or whatever we are calling them today, we have to go in and completely destroy them to the man. I am talking scorched earth.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 4:11 AM

2015-02-12T04:11:50-05:00

Can we win without boots on the ground?

Yes. As long as some other party supplies the boots and has the will to wield them effectively to take advantage of our actions.

But can we win THIS war without boots on the ground?

Not likely. It's going to roll over into 2017 when the new POTUS will have to drop the hammer to sort this mess out.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Feb 12 at 2015 7:28 PM

2015-02-12T19:28:45-05:00

I don't see any way around it. My only real fear is micromanagement by NCA and being stopped short of success for political reasons.

Response by SFC Mcglen Odom made Feb 12 at 2015 9:54 PM

2015-02-12T21:54:13-05:00

You're right. We need boots on the ground

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 9:58 PM

2015-02-12T21:58:16-05:00

Boots are absolutely necessary. President Carter was also averse to ground troops because he thought satellites would obviate the need for that. However, our problems became more complex and we had to rally to learn dialects and languages like Farsi and become part of the landscape. Some information comes from the ground and getting a feel for who the players are and with the inherent risks in that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-02-12T23:03:36-05:00

Not a chance.