Posted on Mar 3, 2014
SGT Gary Frank
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Dod cuts
With Budget cuts on the horizon for the DoD, what effect will it have upon of Military Forces and their readiness. What Roll can the US Military expect to play on the world stage in the future?

Given the situation given in Ukraine, China's modernization of It's Military Forces, and other Hot Spots that may flare ups around the world, is it wise to reduce the size of our military or better yet, reduce the quality of training and equipment that our Troops deserve?  History has revealed that both Equipment replacement/upgrades and Training are the first to suffer. 

The danger with these cut backs is that the DoD just might reduce personnel, training and equipment in favor of Black Box Tech Programs that don't really deliver what they promise. These High-Tech devices may improve combat proficiency, but are ever a good replacement for Boot on the Ground.

"Technology should be developed to enhance abilities, not replace them."

That said, High-Tech has its own vulnerabilities that "WHEN" breached will expose even further weaknesses in our ability to conduct Combat Operations.

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Edited 11 y ago
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Responses: 3
SFC James Baber
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With what is taking place from the current administration, Congress and our senior leaders in DOD, I think we are going to lucky to not have some of these global issues come to us instead of us being sent to them, the military is being weakened, the global community has lost faith in and has no respect for our country as we appear weak from how our leaders have portrayed us to them in the last few years.


Unless someone in the senior level steps up and says enough is enough and stops the bleeding of our defense, we will not remain competitive or viable in the world's view.

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SGT Gary Frank
SGT Gary Frank
11 y
SSG Patton,

Don't forget South Korea in the Chinese Noodle Mix. They too will be depending on us. The ROK's are perhaps the best prepared Army in the Region, but could not go it alone if China began to throw her weight around.
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SSG William Patton
SSG William Patton
11 y
How could I forget Korea, our forgotten war.  Over 35,000 of our older brothers in arms gave their lives to prevent a communist take over.  ROK troops are outstanding, but we all found out the Chinese have human lives to burn and have no compunction of doing so to overwhelm and opposing fighting force.  Those are three important allies militarily and economically that depend on our miilitary being strong.  It took us nearly 18 months during WWII to get our military trained to the point where they could begin to defeat the Axis powers and the next war will be moving so fast, we will not have the amount of time to hold off enemies from invading our homeland.  It is imperative to maintain a strong military to prevent the homeland from being invaded first, and secondly, to come to the aid of our allies to prevent them from annilahation.  This adminstration needs to focus on creating jobs for the unemployed and quit making everyone dependent on the government for their survival.  Time for a little natural selection.

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SGT Gary Frank
SGT Gary Frank
11 y
SSG Patton,
Fortunately our geographic location make an invasion by a foreign invade extremely difficult at best. Russia could invade Alaska, but would have a very difficult time getting to the lower 48.

China, though it is modernizing its Military, doesn't have the Naval Assets to keep shipping lanes open for reinforcements and supplies even if they were able to get a toe hold upon our shore.
Also, they would find out exactly what the Imperial Japanese feared during WWII, Every Window in Every Home in America has a Gun sticking out of it. 

Any foreign army that tries to invade will have to contend with America's Best Defense, the Local Militia's. Guerrilla warfare is a bitch and something that Conventional Troops are not prepared for.
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SSG William Patton
SSG William Patton
11 y
Sgt. Frank, you are correct.  Guerrila war is a bitch, we wrote the book on it during the revolution and unfortunately, have had it used against us many times in conflicts we have fought in the 20th and 21st centuries.  We have had the finest military on the planet, but it has been minimized by locals who blend into the population until they attack in ambushes.  I had the experience in Viet Nam and frustrating is an understatement in fighting these ghosts.  Hit and run, hit and run, seldom standing to fight and when they do, it is on their terms.  We could again pose the same frustration to any foreign military invading our land.  As for Russia and China invading now, they would probably only do so after a nuclear attack and then only if we could not respond in kind.  Maintaining a logistical support that far away is difficult with strong support and neither country has the infrastructure to do so effectively.
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Cpl Tim Titsworth
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This has been how it is throughout our history from being unprepared for the War of 1812 until now. We start out unprepared, get our butts kicked while we build up, and eventually beat the enemy (in most cases though Chesty Puller believed that we lost the Korean War). It was our politicians who lost the war in Vietnam by quitting at a time when we were winning and who have now lost the occupation in Afghanistan. It almost led to WW3 in Europe when Carter had cut the military to the point that the Soviets believed they could win a conventional war; fortunately, cooler heads prevailed (in the Soviet Union). The problem is that we may not win the Next time while we try to ramp back up after an enemy attacks. What happens when we can't get ready in time? Sadly, this is a subject that has filled entire books. "To have peace, you must prepare for war." It is a subject that the American people don't understand, that the government doesn't Want to understand.
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SSG Edward Tilton
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Here we go, Obama did it, Trump did it. I would be shocked if One General stood up and took some responsibility
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Cpl Tim Titsworth
Cpl Tim Titsworth
1 y
Aren't our Presidents still the Commanders-in-Chief? It is a leader's duty to take responsibility for what happens under them. Truman would have understood this, so would have Teddy Roosevelt and even Grant. All Leaders understand and accept that duty regardless of rank. That's why the CNO, sadly, committed suicide over the actions of some of his pilots. But, it's a sense of duty and responsibility that too many Presidents, Generals, and people in leadership positions at all ranks have failed to perform and failed to teach those under them. And it is happening all over the country not simply in the military.
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