Missed my point a bit/or I was unclear, but I think we agree.....
trzaska2000 Send a noteboard - 05/10/2009 08:13:54 PM
The CinC is supposed to set overall strategy, i.e., don't let South Vietnam be taken over by commies, but the general's job is to say we will need X amount of troops and Y amount of air support to get the job done.
I guess it is a difference between strategy vs. tactics. I think Presidents have a history of screwing up the tactics. To be honest, besides Ike, no President in recent history has been qualified to override the tactical judgement of the generals in the field.
You point out a great example of the other side of the coin.....generals getting involved in mission and strategy.
I guess it is a difference between strategy vs. tactics. I think Presidents have a history of screwing up the tactics. To be honest, besides Ike, no President in recent history has been qualified to override the tactical judgement of the generals in the field.
You point out a great example of the other side of the coin.....generals getting involved in mission and strategy.
One of the worst blunders in American military history came about in part because Truman gave to much power to MacArthur. He let McArthur control almost every aspect of them war from intel to picking commanders and defining the mission. As a result we let 300K Chinese sneak up an ambush us resulting in the greatest retreat in US history.
Commander in Chief is more then just a pretty title. The president needs to be able to make strategic decisions and steer the course of the war. If he has generals who can't or won't follow that course he needs to fire them (or promote them out of the field) and get someone in place who can accomplish the mission. He needs to listen to his commanders in the field and not play arm chair quarter back and second guess them but he is ultimately the one who is responsible for the success or failure.
The problem gets to be when Washington wants to control every aspect of a war and listens more to the NYT then his commanders.
Commander in Chief is more then just a pretty title. The president needs to be able to make strategic decisions and steer the course of the war. If he has generals who can't or won't follow that course he needs to fire them (or promote them out of the field) and get someone in place who can accomplish the mission. He needs to listen to his commanders in the field and not play arm chair quarter back and second guess them but he is ultimately the one who is responsible for the success or failure.
The problem gets to be when Washington wants to control every aspect of a war and listens more to the NYT then his commanders.
*MySmiley*
More troops to Afghan - what will Obama do? 
- 05/10/2009 04:02:29 PM
777 Views
- 05/10/2009 04:02:29 PM
777 Views
The current situtation is untenable.
- 05/10/2009 04:59:50 PM
357 Views
We have to tread carefully with Pakistan
- 06/10/2009 05:55:19 AM
366 Views
Carefully thought through for how many more years of destabilization and death?
- 06/10/2009 03:44:58 PM
338 Views
Destabilization and death has been going on for decades in Afghanistan...
- 07/10/2009 07:35:00 AM
346 Views
I think Congo might think their civil war is the most savage . . .
- 07/10/2009 01:16:28 PM
415 Views
Obama is trapped by his own rhetoric
- 05/10/2009 05:28:43 PM
413 Views
One quick thing.....
- 05/10/2009 07:10:28 PM
479 Views
Not sure I agree
- 05/10/2009 07:32:35 PM
356 Views
Well...
- 05/10/2009 07:49:29 PM
359 Views
Missed my point a bit/or I was unclear, but I think we agree.....
- 05/10/2009 08:13:54 PM
441 Views
Pulling out now would be bad because...
- 06/10/2009 12:26:28 AM
358 Views
Hooaahh!! Another for the green
- 06/10/2009 12:34:20 AM
482 Views
Well...
- 06/10/2009 01:18:43 AM
512 Views
It's tricky
- 06/10/2009 03:47:27 AM
366 Views
Actually, HUMINT is one of the fastest promoting MOS's in the Army
- 06/10/2009 03:55:15 AM
314 Views
Re: Actually, HUMINT is one of the fastest promoting MOS's in the Army
- 06/10/2009 04:03:14 AM
323 Views
how old are you?
- 06/10/2009 12:40:22 AM
326 Views
Screw your top off jarhead, he's ours 
- 06/10/2009 12:46:20 AM
356 Views
- 06/10/2009 12:46:20 AM
356 Views
what does the army have in common with bannas?
- 06/10/2009 03:58:07 AM
384 Views
Hooah *NM*
- 06/10/2009 12:55:04 AM
160 Views
I'll give you one back one day when I earn the right to say it. *NM*
- 07/10/2009 02:35:01 AM
151 Views
*NM*
- 07/10/2009 02:35:01 AM
151 Views
He sends more troops in and wins the Nobel prize. Up is down, left is right. *NM*
- 09/10/2009 11:12:27 PM
157 Views