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Originally Posted by chucklesR
Mitch,
They were 'outmaneuvered and outranked' because, in a nut shell, they were WRONG. They were playing politics, not commanding.
Let's all keep in mind that JCS's are political appointee's and serve at the pleasure of the commander in chief, not the other way around.
Keep in mind also that Pace wasn't 'on the ground' in Iraq and was primarily concerned (as per the writer) with the PERSTEMPO (rotation of troops) and other political aspects that are NOT within his scope.
As a retired servicemember I'm here to tell you that PACE was the worst JCS we've had sitting in that chair in decades, frigging politician his whole career.
Hind sight is 20/20, let's keep in mind too that the surge worked and accomplished it's mission. Period.
Those 5 brigades were 'ready' brigades, not the only brigades, and they were replaced with 5 more brigades as the new standing ready brigades.
I'm tired of pansy assed folks saying our military is breaking, WWII saw YEARS of being away and fighting, I prefer to think our young soldiers are just as good as they were then. We break when THEY say they are breaking, hell I did a TWO year tour myself you pansies.
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Chuckles,don't think you even read the article. I
t clearly states that Bush's decision (BASED ON THE AEI PAPER OF ALL THINGS)had been opposed by Casey and Abizaid, his military commanders in Iraq. The same people Bush was telling the AMerican public he was relying on for advice.
And the militery commanders themselves were the ones worrying about the troops. Are they the pansies you are referring to? at least read the article. you don't have to agree with it. and go back and read yesterday's too.
And yes, the surge did work along with the iRaqi's deciding to stand up themselves against al Qaeda, along with al Sadr calling a truce for his army, etc., et.c not one of those things happened in a vacuum and all so happily worked together.