Breaking the Army

[bemildred]

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"Today, anecdotal evidence of collapse is all around," according to ret. Maj. Gen. Robert Scales, a former Rumsfeld adviser and a regular commentator on CNN, who previously was optimistic about the war and its impact on the Army.

"The Army's collapse after Vietnam was presaged by a desertion of mid-grade officers (captains) and noncommissioned officers… Most left because they and their families were tired and didn't want to serve in units unprepared for war."

"If we lose our sergeants and captains, the Army breaks again. It's just that simple. That's why these soldiers are the canaries in the readiness coal mine," he told the Washington Times last week. "And... if you look closely, you will see that these canaries are fleeing their cages in frightening numbers."

Indeed, the Army is currently short about 3,000 mid-career officers, a number that will be impossible to make up as the army expands over the next five years – a situation that Scales called "pretty much irreversible."

http://www.antiwar.com/lobe/?articleid=10805

[sarge43]

1. First comment I've seen about the noncoms bailing.

If they go, the Army will become an armed mob. Thanks again Bush.

[bemildred]

2. Yes, that's why I picked it.

It is, as the piece says, the canary in the coal mine.

[sarge43]

3. Things have to be in the latrine hiding behind the crapper before

before a noncom with a family, a nice collection of stripes/medals and 10 years plus under the belt decides to make a run for the main gate. That's a hellva lot of blood, sweat and tears gone to waste. Seldom done on a whim.

[qwlauren35]

5. You summed it up well.

These folks are giving up some of the sweetest, most secure pensions on the planet... I would bet that it's a monumentally painful decision. I sincerely hope that they are able to get good jobs.

Sadly, Bush won't pay any attention. And I'd bet that if the generals and Military Secretaries start balking, he'll just have them resign...

If this man has any core of wisdom within him, it's clearly buried under a massive pile of...

[sarge43]

7. Thank you qwlauren35

It just isn't the material side of it. Most noncoms love the service. They're deeply dedicated to their people, unit and mission. Walking away is like leaving your family. Hell, it is leaving your family.

That creature wouldn't recognize Wisdom if she screamed in his chicken butt face.

[Rydz777]

4. Marines

From what I've read, the Marines are in the same condition - worn down with worn out equipment. In other words, Bush has managed to wreck all our ground forces.

[sarge43]

6. Well, Bush treated them like Kleenex or worse, but

that miserable excuse of a human being doesn't care. "I got what I want; screw you."