Why don't we let the combat engineers build fence along southern border ?

SFC Dave Wynn — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:41:17 -0500

We talk about the cost of building fence. We know that it will cost much more than it should. So lets let the engineers from either the regular army or NG do it. We will save money be built better, on time and our troops will get some good hands on experience. Plus our equipment which most time just sits in the motor pool and collects dust to used for what it was designed to do.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 16 at 2016 10:46 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:46:33 -0500

The first requirement is to have elected representatives that want the fence.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 16 at 2016 11:08 AM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:08:43 -0500

It's not a bad idea. Though with a fence of that length, it couldn't be that hard to find ways below it, through it, or over it. As any combat engineer knows, an unobserved obstacle is of very limited value. I don't think the US is ready to commit the incredible resources to actually guard the entire border to completely lock it down. I don't think that's necessarily the best use of resources either considering that if a terrorist really wanted to get into the country, they would just find a different way.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 16 at 2016 11:58 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:58:02 -0500

First we must talk about feasibility. Would a fence do any good? How much distance is there? what agreements do we currently have that allow travel between our nations? It's great to talk about building a wall, but in reality it's a non-starter.

Second we must look at maintenance and manning. Let's assume for a second that we can build the fence. Once it is up, how would we maintain and man it? The border is LONG. We would need to man it. Let's say we manned it with the same people we built it with. That's still A LOT of fence line (almost 2000 miles). Let's say you put a tower every 526 feet (1/10 mile), that would mean you 20k towers. If you manned each tower with 2 people on 8 hour shifts, you would be looking at 120k people just guarding the border making sure no one crossed. That's just GUARDING. Not including administrative support. See how quickly this spirals out of control?

Response by Maj William Gambrell made Jan 16 at 2016 1:01 PM

Maj William Gambrell — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:01:03 -0500

There is this little thing called "Title 10" which restricts that active military from protecting our country from inside the borders.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 16 at 2016 2:53 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:53:30 -0500

SFC Dave Wynn A fence isn't going to keep anyone who's determined to get here, out. Hell, go to the beach, swim 100 yards, and boom. Or boat. etc etc. The cost/effectiveness ratio is just not there.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 12:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 00:19:01 -0500

I am not tracking us being at war with Mexico and do not see what a fence will do anyways.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 17 at 2016 8:40 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 08:40:04 -0500

It looks like a number of European countries are using military to build fences to control flow of refugees. Using engineers would get the job done in a way that would result in a lot better job than hiring many private contractors at inflated prices. Many up sides to using engineers as you point out - good training. They could clear fields of fire, map out mine fields, lay barbed wire, build obstacles, and make it more realistic. Unfortunately In this great country when the gvt decides to build a fence it means it's done by private contractors.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 10:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 10:00:07 -0500

Was done in the early to mid 2000s as a matter of fact. The problem that I see with it is that is using combat engineers as free labor, instead of training them. I have put up a very small amount of chain link fence, and I could do it 20 years from now without any refresher training. Combat engineers need to be good at many skills that are perishable.