The Army’s next enemy? Peace.

SSG Robin Rushlo — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:46:47 -0400

Please read and give your opinion

http://m.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-armys-next-enemy-peace/2014/07/10/f02b5180-f0dc-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html

How the demands of bureaucracy could stifle leadership.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2014 12:40 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 12:40:29 -0400

I think that this will be a continuing trend. There will always be conflict and as a result troop surges and draw downs based on those conflicts. The key during "peace time" will be to maintain a constant state of readiness, and use those battled hardened leaders to teach the junior troops to prepare for battle.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2014 12:49 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 12:49:35 -0400

There are plenty of small-minded men who, in times of peace, excel in detail, are inexorable in matters of equipment and drill, and perpetually interfere with the work of their subordinates… They thus acquire an unmerited reputation and render their service a burden, but they, above all, do mischief in preventing the development of individuality and in retarding the advancement of independent and capable spirits. When [crisis] arises, the small minds, worn out by attention to trifles, are incapable of effort, and fail miserably. So goes the world. -Ferdinand

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 13 at 2014 1:24 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 13:24:01 -0400

While the title indicates Peace is the Army's next enemy, there are many that have purposefully dodged deployments and throughout the last 12.5 years of combat operations.

Let me share a story of one such "professional" that successfully dodged deployments (and embraced peace at every cost to those around him). When I was stationed at Fort Hood, TX (as a brand new SSG) there was a very senior SFC that everyone respected. His boots always highly shined, uniform crisp and pressed, and sported a haircut that made the authors of AR 670-1 envious! I met up with him in 2009 while visiting a very good friend of mine (coincidentally my buddy and I had deployed together and was in Desert Storm & OIF together...also served in other combat related theaters at different times). While visiting my friend at APG, MD, he informed me that SGM (the former SFC from Fort Hood) was the head of a training department and encouraged me not to visit him due to him doing whatever it took not to deploy. I ended up talking to him and left completely disgusted and furious at his outspoken opposition to deploying and hope to never share space with that individual again - I held that "Soldier" in such high regards as being "the standard bearer" when it ended up he was nothing more than a Garrison Soldier.

I can see this becoming a problem, especially for our SGT - SFC & CPT - LTC level Soldiers, especially when they are at a function when the dress uniform is worn, it really is a time when you wear your resume......before I offend many of the great members of Rally Point, I do understand there are many specialties that will not have the opportunity to deploy - my comment is based on the larger of our force that have the opportunity and to put it simply has a desire to be a "Non-Combat Survivor".......by any means necessary.....hope this rant made some sense and relates to the OP.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Mar 28 at 2015 8:22 PM

SPC Angel Guma — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 20:22:16 -0400

The only thing a peace time force should be used for is preparing for the next war. Learning from the successes and mistakes from the last one, brainstorming and thinking out the next one. That doesn't mean we should actively seek a war, but there is a balance. Anything else is just a waste of tax-payer dollars.