Are we truly done with the GWOT?

2022-09-06T18:19:32-04:00

Previously we saw that the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) is being further restricted.

SECDEF claimed that we will continue to conduct anti-terror operations but that we are no longer conducting large scale operations. The GWOTSM and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) will still be awarded inside certain operations or areas.

The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (IRCM) is being removed from Iraq and will only be eligible for operations in Syria, all others will receive the GWOTEM.

Now after 31 December 2022 the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) will no longer be awarded thus giving a final end date for the TBD in the regulation.

So as we continue to wind things down, will we continue to support operations in the Middle East? Should we? Will Iraq fall just like Afghanistan or will we maintain an advisory force in Iraq to prevent an ISIS takeover after the world observed what the Taliban did with Afghanistan?

Are we just shifting operations to prepare for Europe and Asia?

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/09/06/national-defense-service-medal-wont-be-awarded-after-december/

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/09/06/national-defense-service-medal-wont-be-awarded-after-december/

National Defense Service Medal won’t be awarded after December

The National Defense Service Medal is going into retirement on Dec. 31.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2022 8:35 PM

2022-09-07T20:35:13-04:00

Are we truly done with GWOT? No. We will never be done with global terrorism. But, it's just another shift in strategic focus.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2022 8:36 PM

2022-09-07T20:36:03-04:00

Unfortunately the war on terror will never be over.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2022 8:43 PM

2022-09-07T20:43:32-04:00

What's cool is now we will be able to get an oak leaf for the NDSM soon enough.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2022 10:22 PM

2022-09-07T22:22:55-04:00

Maybe you might not remember but we did pull out of Iraq and it nearly fell. We went back in and cleaned up to wipe out ISIS. Just because we are in a country doesn't mean we are at war. I think it is time we realize we are a peacetime Army that needs to be prepared for War.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2022 10:13 AM

2022-09-09T10:13:06-04:00

The war on terror will never truely be over. The typical Afghan probably doesn't know we left. They didn't even know why we were there in the first place. That kind of ignorance to the World will always be a breeding ground for terrorism because they just don't know any better. As for Iraq, I think they learned a lot of lessons with the american pull out and take over by isis. I don't believe they will allow it to happen again. In regards to a push into Europe and Asia, it seems the Russia/ Ukraine war is dying down. I don't know what our government is planning and honestly I don't think they know either.

Response by COL Bill Gross made Sep 11 at 2022 12:55 PM

2022-09-11T12:55:04-04:00

Still have Army forces in IRQ, Navy in the Persian Gulf. SF in Africa all on GWOT type missions.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 11 at 2022 2:50 PM

2022-09-11T14:50:15-04:00

The GLOBAL WAR on terrorism is, indeed, over. Has been for a LONG time. I would argue about 10 years.

We have been engaged in, and still are engaged in, peacekeeping and nation building operations. We have suppressed localized flare-ups. But global war? Hardly.

Compare the last decade, and ESPECIALLY the last year, to 2001 - 2009 or so. Number of troops in theater, number of wounded, number of killed/captured, number of missions/sorties run, supplies used, dollars spent.... you name the metric.

Remember, we STILL have troops in Germany and Japan, but we don't say WWII is still going on. What are the troops DOING? And we really started getting out of the "kinetic" business around 2009. We were pretty much completely out of the business by 2013 or so, with the exception of targeted counter strikes.

Hostilities =/= war.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2022 4:41 PM

2022-09-11T16:41:56-04:00

I think we will continue it but it will not be the Center of Gravity like Iraq and Afghanistan were. I think we have learned our lesson. Wars can be long and expensive.

Response by LTC David Howard made Nov 27 at 2022 8:58 AM

2022-11-27T08:58:44-05:00

I doubt that we will see an end to terrorism inspired by radical Islamic supporters during our lifetimes. Surveys have shown that a significant portion of the Muslim world believes in the concept of the entire world being converted into an Islamic caliphate, and that violence in achieving this goal is justified. If that portion is the 15% as indicated in these surveys, that means about 150,000,000 Muslims are inclined to continue terrorism to destroy us and our influence in the world. If only a millionth of that number actively engage in terrorist activities that is still sufficient to bring real problems to the American homeland. We must remain vigilant and prepared.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2022 4:29 PM

2022-12-31T16:29:34-05:00

Trust me, we ain’t leaving CENTCOM anytime soon.

Response by Amn Dale Preisach made Jan 1 at 2023 1:02 AM

2023-01-01T01:02:07-05:00

Sadly , no.