What should US troops expect if Joe Biden is elected president?

U mean like when the Dems pulled $$Billions from the military's coffers to build a racist wall between US & those rapists/murderers Mexicans? Oh . . . Wait . . .

SFC Art Robinson - Mexico has a wall at their southern border, is that racist also or is that ok with you...

SSG Richard S. - As is so often the case, it's not about the "What" but the "Why" . . . Does Mexico have a long tradition of white supremacy? If so, is the Mexican white supremacist community now obsessed with protecting their white majority by doing everything their feeble little minds can conjure to stop from being "replaced" by people of color? (See, for example, chants from Charlottesville white supremacists, "U will not replace us . . . Jews will not replace us!") If so, did the president responsible for building that wall do so in response to the campaign promise to his white supremacist supporters? Honestly, I have no clue to the answers to those questions; but if U do, and U answered "Yes" to all three, then hell yeah, that wall is racist . . .

Morale is the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time. Since the 1980s the US Military has been the best in the world and we've proved that over and over again. Our training and equipment is the best in the world and we have continued to improve and strengthen our systems across the board. I am a Vietnam Vet...you want to talk low morale...you didn't spit on when you got home. Even though we kicked the NVA and Viet Cong's butt all over the battlefields of Vietnam with a Draftee Army and won on the battlefield only to see our victories thrown away by Politicians and Diplomats on both sides of the aisle. So don't try to school me on low morale Captain. You don't know low morale really is.

You and your generation of Officers, NCO and Enlisted personnel have done nothing but benefit from the hard work we did to rebuild after Nixon and Fords hollow force of the 1970s. You will never see a hollow force that we did during the 70s. During Carters and Reagans defense build up of the late 70s and early 80s budget improved training monies the NTC and JRTC and NTC Europe and Far East and War Fighter and Simulations exercised were established and heavily funded and by the time of the First Desert War where we smoked the Iraqi Army and Air Force the first time, most everything was fixed. The only problem I had in those days was we hadn't totally fixed the M-16 We have been able to quickly project power to Panama, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosvo, Syria, Somalia and other hot spots in the world without too much effort. There was a time we couldn't do that quickly. But the decisions were made to build a force that could support power project into two major regional conflicts and major War and WIN. No other military power on this planet can do that. Not the Russians Not the Chinese and certainly not Iranians or the North Koreans. And we had the training funds to build fighting capability to pull it off. And we still can. Right now we are spending the money to continue to support the capability and capacity to handle anything thrown at us. And our military budgets even if they were cut by several billion dollars would still be 7 times more than our nearest peers. China is expanding their military into a power projection force...and still they don't spend near what we do. Plus our training is much better.

So I've seen a lot of great training since I retired. I think the problems we do have centers around the number of deployments are career servicemen and women have seen since OIF and OEF began. But that has been fixed somewhat because of the reduction of the length of tours and the increase of time people have been home. The Navy has problems in that area in it's carrier task forces because of the scheduled overhaul of ships in the fleet that makes causes increased time at sea for other task forces and ships. Both the Army and Marine Corps are in the middle of recapitalization and overhaul of equipment. In the 70s that didn't happen much. So based upon what I see and hear from friends still on active duty and I track our defense posture our defense base foundationals remain strong and able to handle any load we chose to put on it. The only thing I worry about is will we finally get a new rifle to replace the M-16 family or at least improve the M-16 itself by going with the H&K Version 416 in 6.8mm Creedmore cartridge. I'm an Old Infantryman and those micro issues are extremely important to me and I've been raising hell with Congress and the Army on that subject since I retired. A lot of old hands still keep up with what's going on.

Now too individual soldier morale. That's up to leadership...YOUR LEADERSHIP. If you lead by example and conduct dedicate yourself heart mind and soul to being confident, enthusiastic, and disciplined then your soldiers will as well. As far all the other stuff about your paygrade...don't worry about it. Let the Generals do that. You get your people ready to fight and ensure there are ready in all aspects to get underway. HoooooRah!!! and Semper Fi.

LTC (Join to see) you probably need to take a knee and drink water before you stroke out.

CPT(P) Jake Ledgerwood - LMAO

CPT(P) Jake Ledgerwood - LMAO

LTC Lance Headrick - Please, Sir, help me understand why we are relitigating Benghazi? Didn't we spend 11 hours grilling Clinton on our response? Didn't we spend more time investigating her than we did 9-11? Didn't we come up totally empty? Didn't we learn from House Republican Leader (that would be McCarthy) that we only wasted all that tax payer $$ to drive down her poll numbers? Didn't we lose four at Benghazi while we lost 500,000 due to Trump's inept COVID response? But we don't want to talk about his lame COVID response and instead want to talk about the now-debunked Benghazi conspiracy theory? Clearly, as has been said in other places in this thread, some of us have WAY too much time on our hands . . .

SFC Art Robinson You'right about all of that. However I didn't start that conversation.

I guess picking up garbage the illegals left is dignity our military deserves. Enough said.

SFC Art Robinson - SHE SAID " TAKE ME DOWN AND HALF THE GOVERNMENT GOES WITH ME" THEY BACKED OFF TO PROTECT THEIR OWN 6.

You are going to have to come up with a better excuse. Funding was cut and the military was too far away to have helped with the outcome. Blaming Clinton is just you using her as a scrap goat because you don't like her. There are more reasons to factor in.

-

And Trump overseeing the senseless slaughter of over 500,000 of our Brothers and Sisters by a bug . . . U are OK with that???

SP5 Dennis Dorsey - There was men ready to assist when Clinton and obama said stand down . They let the muslims rape their corpses and drag them through the streets.

Jerry Rivas - Now that U're done trying to figure my life story, how about returning to the point?
U forgot one . . . Expect folks who supported Trump while he was presiding over the senseless slaughter of over 500,000 Americans by a bug to keep kissing his ass and hatin' on Da Joe-ster for trumped up (no pun intended) reasons . . .

SFC Art Robinson - Keep drinking the koolaide douchebag

Jerry Rivas - So articulate! So intelligent! Such prowess as finding and refuting the nuance of my point! I bow!!!

Jerry Rivas - Actually . . . That was my evil Twin . . . Fuck that shit . . . Your Mom loves this douchebag, douchebag . . .

LTC Lance Headrick - Sir, let's first ask U to show who debunked it? The only one I've seen debunk it is TRUMP! But, since U want sources, here ya go:

EVEN FOX NEWS SAID HE CALLED US LOSERS AND SUCKERS!!!
Fox News Takes Out Trump By Confirming He Called The Troops Suckers
https://www.politicususa.com/2020/09/04/fox-news-trump-troops-suckers.html

Fox News confirms Trump mocked US troops as ‘suckers’; Biden calls him a disgrace
https://www.syracuse.com/us-news/2020/09/fox-news-confirms-trump-mocked-us-troops-as-suckers-biden-calls-him-a-disgrace.html

Report: Trump Called U.S. WWI Veterans ‘Suckers’ And ‘Losers’
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2020/09/03/report-trump-called-us-wwi-veterans-suckers-and-losers/?sh=50b5f5816f57

Here’s All the Corroboration for the Atlantic Story on Trump Attacking Troops
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/09/corroboration-atlantic-report-trump-troops-soldiers-losers-cemetary-amputees.html

Trump called American war dead ‘suckers’ and ‘losers', report claims
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/trump-american-war-dead-losers-suckers-report

Let me know if U need me to do more of your homework for ya, Sir . . . Again, no problem . . . I'm guessing U are really busy . . .

LTC Lance Headrick. Let's be clear about something. NEVER put your trust in Draft Dodger...EVER! Remember Bill Clinton? He was Draft Dodger and where the military and our operational responsibilities were concerned he was also a screw up. SO WAS DONALD TRump, also Draft Dodger. I never supported Draft Dodgers...whatever party they were in. Neither should any Military member...active, reserve or guard. To do so is insult and a black mark on our profession.

SFC Art Robinson - LMAO Headrick....debunked by who...Fox False News Network. Please

LTC (Join to see) - U can't make this stuff up, Sir! Would be funny if it wasn't so sad, and costing us lives . . . RIP Officer Sicknick . . .

BOOM! Say it again, in case they couldn't hear it due to Conservative media screaming in their ears!!! (How do U do a "heart" emoji in this joint?)

Tim, Amen but one other thing I would add....we have a problem of with the propensity of some to pole vault over baby mouse turds and being concerned about stuff going on over our paid grade. There is a lot that went on in my 40 year 4 war Career Active and Reserve Enlisted and Commissioned service that pissed me off. But I never discussed that with my Marines or Soldiers. We are military service members we don't make policy..we execute it. After my service in Vietnam when were in the hollow force days my being pissed was centered around lack of training funds and the mickey mouse daily harassment that went on from time to time, and the race problems because we had because some NCO and Officer Leadership that was openly racist and hostile to our minority members. But by the 80s most them and that was gone.

I also don't buy this argument that the military should not be used for social experiments. That is a bunch of hogwash. WE ARE NOTHING BUT A SOCIAL EXPERIMENT...always have been. In the many eras of our existence we have done nothing but took in immigrants, we have desegregated our military more than once (it isn't just about Black Folks). At times our enlisted for force was primarily made up of expat Irish, Italians, Germans and Hispanics and former slaves, some who could barely speak English. I have no problem with LBGT folks being the military because I believe that Military should reflect the population of our country. But we've always had minorities, LBGT and even women dressed as men in the military from the beginning. They just hid whatever gender or orientation was. LBGT numbers have been exceedingly miniscule less that .0005% and they still are. So I don't worry about that either.

Our military must reflect our society...so society supports our military. This isn't about forcing anything down anyone's throat. You're too young to remember when we desegregated the force I do because I was dependent of a Career Marine Father and heard about it all at our community dinner table. Black folks weren't the problem, racist leadership was. Prejudice has no place in our military. No one is forcing anything...our civilian leadership is just ensuring our membership reflects our society. And that is never a bad thing and if someone thinks it is then the need to get in another line of work.

Right now we have bigger fish to fry...an on-going war on terror and resurgent expansionist China and nuclear armed North Korea and Iran...not to mention Russia. So we and our service personnel need keep our eye on the ball not worry about who someone sleeps with.

LTC (Join to see) - John, do you get the impression that we're taking our eyes off the ball?

For the most part no.

The National Defense Strategy Review is still on track. We are still engaged in but beginning the withdrawal from Afghanistan. We have our eyes firmly on China, Russia, Iran and North Korea and the on going War on Terror (which could go on another 50 years). Our R&D for 6th Gen equipment and Drones and AI is on track and improving. Our Cyber warfare Groups in all services are up to speed and getting stronger. Our Battalion, Squadron, Regiment, Brigade, Division Corps staff training and Warfighter type exercises both in the Active and Reserve Component is on going. Our fundamental Initial entry training for all the all the services are stronger than they have ever been especially in the Army which used to abysmal. AIT and MOSQ training both individual and crew and unit service and combined is going very well. And quite honestly in looking back my career and where we started in the late 60s to where are today we are doing outstanding.

Now there are problems. We are in midst of recapitalization of our equipment in the services. The Marine Corps is beginning to change their warfighting doctrine, some of which I agree with some of which I don't all. The Navy is in the midst of adding ships and crews but they have a problem with 2 carriers being in the process of mid life refuel and crews and ships are stretched kind of thin right now because of longer deployments. We lack one LHA because of a fire, so that's stressing the Marine Corps and it's MEU and MEB deployment schedules. As far Army goes after a dip in personnel numbers the Army has recovered and is on track to meet recruiting numbers for 2021.

Army FORCE MOD is looking to restructure for future forces, there its good and bad news: the good news is that the Army continues to produce and improve fielded systems and has a well-modernized force as a result. Additionally, new systems are coming out of the research, development, testing, and evaluation pipeline.

The bad news is that the Army is still several years away from having a new generation of systems in production to take it into the 2020s and beyond and set it up for potential combat against great power adversaries and that has to be fixed very quickly. Of particular interest to me is small arms, and new field Artillery Systems and Drones. More specifically the service rife and machine gun replacement and movement to 6.8mm Creed more. I'm still pissed that we've been working on a new rifle and machinegun for 20 years and have spent Billions dollars and still no solution because Force MOD doesn't want to get off high center and just keeps kicking the can down the road. What is this 5 times now that Army R&D and Natic have been working on a M-16/SAW replacement? Also we need to replace the Black Hawk, eventually the AH-64 and up engine the CH-47. Bradley needs fixing or we need something new. I don't know that we need a new Main Battle Tank but we do need a smaller tank for the light units. Question is will they follow through and finish on any of this.

I believe will have some some constraint of resources, so the Army may have to cut the number of existing Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) as bill payer to build new units and procure new systems. So we will see what happens. But if it happens it won't be the first time.

The Air Force is got several irons in the fire. They to need reengine the B-52. finish developing the B-21 to replace the B1, B2 and eventually the B-52. We are still going through teething problems with the F-35 which has another couple of years to go. We don't enough F-22s because we are waiting for new 6th Gen Fighter....and whistling passed the grave yard why we wait.

As far as the National Command Authority goes and I am very satisfied with that. For the first time in the 28 years (Since Bush 41) we actually have an experienced President that knows what he is doing and has the experience to pull it off. I have not been a happy camper since Bush 41...and the reason for that is that we have had 4 straight neophyte poor to no experienced people in the white house in a row. Clinton, Bush 43, Obama and especially TRump. And none of them had the needed experience to pull it off very well. Neophytes do not belong in the White House no matter what party they belong too.

But Biden walked in on Day 1 knowing what needs to be done. So I feel better in that regard. He's already put the Russian and the Chinese on notice, contrary to reporting in the ultra right nut wing fringe media establishment. He reestablishing and rebuilding relationships with long time allies. Sec Def and Sec State have their stuff in one bag and are highly experienced. Homeland Security looks to be in good hands with a highly experience individual at the helm. National Intelligence has an old hand in charge. The only one I worry little about is the NSC Advisor. He's less experienced and Biden could have picked someone much better. But the rest of team can overcome mid range experience level fairly easy. And with one exception (the Commandant of the Marine Corps) we've got the best Joint Chiefs we've ever had. So the NCA seems to be real solid.

Total numbers personnel will be going up in the all services and as far as I know we are meeting our recruiting numbers so far.

As far the social and personnel stuff goes that is always in a state of Flux. I've watched and participated draw downs and plus ups for 4 decades. That doesn't change much. I've seen a lot in my 72 years both in my father's career and my own. So I learned to to pole vault over mouse turds. If the people we get from any particular group aren't up to standard and can't hack it you know as well I do they will not be allowed to stay.

So what is the biggest threat...To me there are two. First, is the rise of ultra right nutwing Alt-Right White Supremacist/Nationalist fascist fringe movements (about 828 groups according to the FBI) including Aryan Nations, Aryan Brotherhood, Boogaloo Boys, KKK, Neo-Nazis, oath keepers, Proud Boys, Q-Annon, three Percenters and others of their ilk who promote the violent overthrow of the Constitution and government and people of our
country.

Second, is a national debt that is 129% of GDP and going up. And all the wars we've been dealing with and pandemics and tax cuts without consideration as to the long term cost and paying for it by raising taxes, cutting programs and bureaucracy to pay for all in order to keep our fiscal position in balance. So as result of all this insanity we are now mortgaged up to our eyeballs. Tax cuts NEVER pay for themselves. So we need to go back to a Reagan Era level taxes but where everybody pays their fair share and we cut bureaucracy and programs to pay for it all. So we have some tough decisions coming our way.

So what I believe is going to happen is the honeymoon is over for the 1% and big corporations. And they are going to have to start paying their fair share again and we going to have streamline lots of bureaucracy and programs to get our financial house in order. And that means the military is going have to do better job of ensuring we have what we need and be very careful about spending money on clean sheet programs that cost 1 trillion + dollars on one system. That has to stop. And we also have have to invest in infrastructure and recapitalize our systems as much as we can. This will be a 50 year process.

But the good thing our Armed Forces are the best in the world and we have great leaders leading them and great young people serving in them. So I'm not worried about the military at all other than getting our systems problems and procurement corrected and back on track.

So as far as I can see everyone has their eye on the ball. I've been retired since Sept 09. But I've been keep up with the news and watch Defense hearings on CSPAN and read all I can to see what the Service Chiefs have to say and I have lot of you family members on active duty and in the reserve right now and they keep me abreast on how things are going from their perspective.

But what do you think?

BOOM! Say it again, in case they couldn't hear it due to Conservative media screaming in their ears!!! (How do U do a "heart" emoji in this joint?)