How the US Military got so tough

[Tates]

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://slate.msn.com/id/2081388/">Force Majeure
What lies behind the military's victory in Iraq.
By Fred Kaplan
</a>

So when and how did the U.S. military get this good? The elements of swift victory in Gulf War II have been well laid-out: the agility and flexibility of our forces, the pinpoint accuracy of the bombs, the commanders' real-time view of the battlefield, the remarkable coordination among all branches of the armed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) and special operations. But these elements, and this degree of success, have not been seen in previous wars, not even in the first Gulf War 12 years ago. Three major changes have taken hold within the military since then?a new war-fighting doctrine, advanced digital technology, and a less parochial culture.

Good read.

 

[Grey]

Very few nations could integrate their armed divisions like this. That was a good read, thanks for the link.

 

[Looney]

Very good read. And now the US military is even better. With every conflict, they're learning what works and what doesn't, and finetuning everything.

 

[43st]

Bah... It's about money guys, as the article points out. He with the most toys wins, as it should be. What's funny is that some people thought little old $1.4b Iraq could stand up to our $300b+ blitz.

$ 379 billion (2003) - United States
$48 billion - increase from Fiscal 2002 to 2003

$ 34.8 billion ( 2001 ) - United Kingdom

$ 29 billion ( 2000 ) - Russia

$ 27 billion ( 2000 ) - France

$ 23.1 billion ( 2001 ) - Germany

$ 18.7 billion ( 2000 ) - Saudi Arabia

$ 15.9 billion ( 2000 ) - India

$ 14.5 billion ( 2000 ) - China

$ 12.8 billion ( 2000 ) - South Korea

$ 12.8 billion ( 2000 ) - Taiwan

$ 7.5 billion ( 2000 ) - Iran

$ 3.3 billion ( 2000 ) - Pakistan

$ 1.8 billion ( 2000 ) - Syria

$ 1.4 billion ( 1999 ) - Iraq

$ 1.3 billion ( 2000 ) - North Korea

$ 1.3 billion ( 2000 ) - Yugoslavia

$ 1.2 billion ( 2000 ) - Libya

$ 425 million ( 2000) - Sudan

$ 31 million ( 2000 ) - Cuba

Source: The International Institute for Strategic Studies

 

[Tab]

Damn, no wonder we are #1. Still terrorism and WMD's are huge threats. Imagine if someone nuked LA or bio-bomded it. Anthrax spores could get in the air a spread for 100s of miles. It still pretty damned sad that our soldiers are underpaid, they should get alot more money and credit for putting their life on the line for dumbasses that protest.

 

[Dangermouse33]

Originally posted by: Thera
Bah... It's about money guys, as the article points out. He with the most toys wins, as it should be. What's funny is that some people thought little old $1.4b Iraq could stand up to our $300b+ blitz.


$ 12.8 billion ( 2000 ) - South Korea


$ 1.3 billion ( 2000 ) - North Korea



Source: The International Institute for Strategic Studies

I'm sure money is a big part, but then look at NK and SK. W/o US help, NK would destroy SK.

 

[43st]

Well it goes without saying that a little money can create some pretty nasty bombs. The whole NK/SK thing is a bit of a wash job by the media but no doubt the people of North Korea are a little more twitchy when it comes to letting a nasty one fly. If push came to shove SK could easily handle it's self, it's preventing the use of WMD that becomes the true issue.

 

[Heisenberg]

Bah... It's about money guys, as the article points out. He with the most toys wins, as it should be. What's funny is that some people thought little old $1.4b Iraq could stand up to our $300b+ blitz.

It's not completely about money. True, money will buy a lot of hardware, but without the proper training to use those weapons and the intelligence of the war planners, it would all be useless.

 

[43st]

Pssst... Money also buys "planners", intelligence and training. 😉

 

[Ornery]

It's the $$$$$$ al right! My son got an earful at school, from a liberal teacher no doubt, about how the money we spend on the military could benefit our schools to a huge degree. I told him we've already been throwing tons of money at the schools, and they're still screwed up. The schools that spend the most money per student are among the MOST screwed up!

I told him the money spent by the military is poured right back into our economy, which creates many high tech jobs and promotes research etc. The money spent on the military saves our troops lives, AND apparently saves civilian lives as well! It's getting hard to see a down side to this! 😉

 

[Kadarin]

While money does play a big part, the core is effective communication, command and control, and integration of disparate branches of military service. One should never, ever underestimate the importance of effective doctrine, because doctrine will win wars.

 

[mastertech01]

Speaking of money, Kuwaiit has spent 1.5 billion dollars supporting our troops on this effort. That is 2000.00 for every man, woman and child in that country. For the USA to match it would cost over 568 billion dollars on a per capita match.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Thera
Bah... It's about money guys, as the article points out. He with the most toys wins, as it should be. What's funny is that some people thought little old $1.4b Iraq could stand up to our $300b+ blitz.

Yes, and they did well with the money they were given.

I guess not every dollar went to overpriced toilet seats.

 

[Conky]

The money spent on a war effort like this is also great for the US economy.

The government places orders for planes, helicopters, guns, ammo, helmets, etc and the factories go to work. Those people making the money in the factories spend their money and others reap the trickle down effect. The factories buy more raw materials and it spreads even further. It is economics 101 type stuff.

And France sits on the side b1tching because we won't let them sell weapons to Iraq. France won't be able to buy oil outside of UN sanctions for a discount anymore either! 😀

 

[Red Dawn]

A Professional Army made up of Intelligent individuals who are commited to their job

 

[CubicZirconia]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Speaking of money, Kuwaiit has spent 1.5 billion dollars supporting our troops on this effort. That is 2000.00 for every man, woman and child in that country. For the USA to match it would cost over 568 billion dollars on a per capita match.

Well, we did liberate their country back in '91. Maybe they feel they owe it to us.

 

[orion7144]

Bravo!! Couldn't have said it better my self. The schools that my kids go to are pretty good. Of course most of the money for our schools come from property taxes so they tend to police them more.

Originally posted by: Ornery
It's the $$$$$$ al right! My son got an earful at school, from a liberal teacher no doubt, about how the money we spend on the military could benefit our schools to a huge degree. I told him we've already been throwing tons of money at the schools, and they're still screwed up. The schools that spend the most money per student are among the MOST screwed up!

I told him the money spent by the military is poured right back into our economy, which creates many high tech jobs and promotes research etc. The money spent on the military saves our troops lives, AND apparently saves civilian lives as well! It's getting hard to see a down side to this! 😉

 

[Tates]

A Professional Army made up of Intelligent individuals who are commited to their job

Exactly 😀

 

[Tates]

Bah... It's about money guys, as the article points out. He with the most toys wins, as it should be. What's funny is that some people thought little old $1.4b Iraq could stand up to our $300b+ blitz.

$ 379 billion (2003) - United States
$48 billion - increase from Fiscal 2002 to 2003

$ 34.8 billion ( 2001 ) - United Kingdom

$ 29 billion ( 2000 ) - Russia

$ 27 billion ( 2000 ) - France

$ 23.1 billion ( 2001 ) - Germany

$ 18.7 billion ( 2000 ) - Saudi Arabia

$ 15.9 billion ( 2000 ) - India

$ 14.5 billion ( 2000 ) - China

$ 12.8 billion ( 2000 ) - South Korea

$ 12.8 billion ( 2000 ) - Taiwan

$ 7.5 billion ( 2000 ) - Iran

$ 3.3 billion ( 2000 ) - Pakistan

$ 1.8 billion ( 2000 ) - Syria

$ 1.4 billion ( 1999 ) - Iraq

$ 1.3 billion ( 2000 ) - North Korea

$ 1.3 billion ( 2000 ) - Yugoslavia

$ 1.2 billion ( 2000 ) - Libya

$ 425 million ( 2000) - Sudan

$ 31 million ( 2000 ) - Cuba

Source: The International Institute for Strategic Studies

A proper comparison would include the respective country's GNP

Figures don't lie, Liars figure.

 

[Looney]

Bah... It's about money guys, as the article points out. He with the most toys wins, as it should be. What's funny is that some people thought little old $1.4b Iraq could stand up to our $300b+ blitz.

And the point is?

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
A Professional Army made up of Intelligent individuals who are commited to their job

I agree. The key to our .mil is to continue to attract and retain the all-volunteer force. We can have every shiny, gee-whiz gadget in the world but if someone isn't operating them, they're useless. Yes, we have to provide them the tools necessary, train them how to use them, etc. but it is still a manpower criticial industry and recruiting and retention are the key.

 

[Marshallj]

With all the hype I see surrounding China, North Korea, and Iraq, it's surprising to see that Saudi Arbia spends more on its armed forces than those countries combined.