Do you think we will ever get boots on the ground to combat ISIS?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:32:42 -0400

If so, how long do you think it will be before we do, and do you support such an action against ISIS?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 9 at 2015 6:59 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:59:19 -0400

We already have many "advisor" on the ground right now....when we fail to know our history (e.g. Vietnam War), we are doomed to repeat it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 8:27 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 20:27:32 -0400

Yes, PVT Private RallyPoint Member, I do.
I think we already do.
I think that it is a bad idea, unless we intend to get much more serious than we are now.
I think we will have to wait until January 20, 2017 to locate that level of seriousness.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 9 at 2015 8:49 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 20:49:46 -0400

There is one way to do this, US Combat troops with the absence of Politicians and the press. And it's over in 6 months.

Response by Sgt Jerami Ballard made Jul 10 at 2015 12:32 AM

Sgt Jerami Ballard — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 00:32:30 -0400

We already do, look through youtube and other more eccentric site to find videos of our "advisors" over there advising ISIS to go to hell. SF,GI, and Wing assets have all had hard engagements over there.

Response by Sgt Billy Alt made Jul 10 at 2015 12:35 AM

Sgt Billy Alt — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 00:35:40 -0400

There is something more going on with that then we are led to believe. Balance of power in that region is a mess and I don't think we win if we take out ISIS at this point. Unfortunate but true

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 11 at 2015 10:02 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 10:02:49 -0400

We don't need OUR boots on the ground we need those facing an existential threat to put their boots on the ground. The Turks , the Saudis etc. you can kill every ISIS/ Daesh fighter but you can't kill the ideology.

It's the ideology that brings more fighters into the conflict. You can't kill an idea.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 11 at 2015 12:49 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 12:49:43 -0400

We probably will. It will probably be a terrible mistake. Daesh is a symptom, not the illness itself. If we get dragged into a ground war, it'll be right back to getting blown the @$%# up by sectarian militias the moment Daesh is put down.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 11 at 2015 2:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 14:57:30 -0400

No BOG before elections if at all. I don't think anyone has a clue how to answer the military problem of fighting ISIS that are concentrated in the cities.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 12 at 2015 7:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 19:59:35 -0400

I think we are going to drop fairy dust in Iraq to create soldiers who are competent and willing to fight. The dust will also create regional coalition forces. I doubt we will commit to heavy ground forces before elections if we do at all.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jul 21 at 2015 12:12 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:12:45 -0400

Yes, I think we will eventually have groundpounders there again. I also think it would be a mistake. At some point we have to stop fishing for the Iraqis and teach them how to fish. America can't always be riding to the rescue. A nominally inferior force has been able to take over such large swaths of territory because the warrior ethos of Iraqis is virtually non-existent. They flee at the slightest hint that the battle is tougher than previously thought. My solution: train them, give them intelligence and act in an overwatch role to build up their confidence. Fighting their battles is not a tenable solution for every single internal conflict they face. Whether this is done now or after a new President is elected as someone insinuated makes no difference. This should be our policy regardless of the party steering the ship.