Are we still the best defended nation in the world?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 10:50:31 -0400

If 'offense is the best defense,' then I believe we are the best defended nation on earth. Why? Because so many Americans are so offended about so many things! Not only that, we can get very defensive.

All jokes aside, are we still the best defended nation in the world? Explain....

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 3 at 2015 10:51 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 10:51:34 -0400

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 3 at 2015 10:55 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 10:55:02 -0400

Yes, no doubt

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 11:00 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:00:35 -0400

This is an interesting question to me. If I were to think of this question in terms of proper conventional military attack, then yes we are the best defended country. But, if we are to think of it in terms of non-conventional military attacks (i.e., terrorist, cyber), then no. But then, with non-conventional attacks, no one is best defended. If the Devil wants in, the Devil will get in.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 3 at 2015 11:44 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:44:45 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver I would say yes, but let's hope we don't have to test that defense in the near future!

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jul 3 at 2015 12:30 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:30:33 -0400

Yes, we are absolutely number one in "defense." We spend as much as the next 7 highest countries do on defense. We sacrifice a lot of good things in order to be the best "defended." (Nevermind that the last time there was ANY threat of an actual attack on American soil that could actually USE all the military defense we have was WWII). We have opted to be the best defended, but in doing so, have chosen to be less educated, less supported, less progressive towards the sciences, less focused on the future, and more scared of the boogey man (who, in all reality, is probably us). So, yes, we ARE the best defended and are out of touch behind our "defenses." We've sacrificed way too much in the name of "security."

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 3 at 2015 12:39 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:39:13 -0400

The best "defense" is to control the "board." The best way to control the board is expand our footprint as far and wide as possible.

The US does this exceptionally well.

When you tie this into our current mission of Global Stability, which "promotes" National Defense, it goes back that concept.

Now compare us to any other nation. No one has the same "reach," therefore no one else has the same level of overall defensive capability. But we must also add in liability, or what we can actually lose. As one of the most populous nations, largest physical nations, highest in natural resources, the list goes on, we have a lot to lose.

But let's go back to the concept of Global Stability, or Stability in general. If stability exists, then there is no need to defense. As an example, we don't "defend" the US/Canada border, because our nations have relative stability with each other.

So if we promote Global Stability, then the need for defense drops, with each stabilized nation.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 5:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 17:20:03 -0400

Any American is going to say yes, patriotism is not to be toyed with, soldiers have the price in the name of patriotism. Best defended, over the longest war in our history, and that means we are tired, mentally and physically. PTST, broken bodies, deployment after deployment, pressures at home, spouses wanting and needing us. Sure we have reserves, that are just as tired. All this compounded by political leaders that don't get along, they can't even make a decision. And then don't forget the VA, they break their word, and don't help us. Best defended? Maybe after an R&R, a chance to regroup, retrain, kiss our families. Are we ready for North Korea, China, and Russia whom have used the last 14 years to build-up their forces, their morale and the propaganda. I have no doubt the outcome, we will defend ourselves and end up on top, but can we R&R for a couple of months.