Thank God

[dlee96]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/20/world/...html?hpt=hp_t1
Thank god our troops are finally starting to come home, it's been a long and fruitless war.

[GoArmyBeatNavy]

Originally Posted by dlee96

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/20/world/...html?hpt=hp_t1
Thank god our troops are finally starting to come home, it's been a long and fruitless war.

I wouldn't say that to your admissions officer or in your official essay

[Melitzank]

Yes, I saw a similar thing....God Bless our troops! And may they have a welcome homecoming!

[flieger83]

Originally Posted by GoArmyBeatNavy

I wouldn't say that to your admissions officer or in your official essay

Oh, I'd be fine with that.

Of course, I'd ask: "Okay...that's your opinion, now please explain it?"

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

[dlee96]

Originally Posted by flieger83

Oh, I'd be fine with that.

Of course, I'd ask: "Okay...that's your opinion, now please explain it?"

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

I have been versed with the War on Terror and many efforts have not paid off. Global terrrorist rates have increased since the beginning of the war, somehow the US has not been able to train the native military over an 11 year span as well. The natives do not want the US in their country. Illegal drug production (specifically opium) has exponentially increased since the invasion. The same service members who are sincerely trying to help the natives are being stabbed in the back by the natives who they are trying to help. We should have learned from the Russians and their "vietnam."

Do not get me wrong, I honor the military and plan on serving in it (kinda obvious, I want to go to an SA). I just believe that the war has been pointless and the $1.373 trillion+ spent on the war so far could have gone to reinforcing the US's infrastructure .

[LineInTheSand]

Originally Posted by dlee96

I just believe that the war has been pointless and the $1.373 trillion+ spent on the war so far could have gone to reinforcing the US's infrastructure .

Or perhaps instead of spending it.... the U.S. could pay down its $16,000,000,000,000.00+ debt... just a thought.

[bruno]

From today's ForeignPolicy Magazine "FPSituation report". Dlee- I can assure you that Anthony Cordesman is also "versed in the war on terror".

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta spoke about the "milestone" that is the end of the surge in Afghanistan. On the last leg of his Asian trip, Panetta said the last of the surge troops left Afghanistan this week and there are now 68,000 troops left in the country. The surge "accomplished its objective" of reversing the Taliban's effect on the battlefield and allowed Afghan security forces to grow in numbers and strength. "This growth has allowed us and our ISAF coalition partners to begin the process of transition to Afghan security lead, which will soon extend across every province and more than 75 percent of the Afghan population," he said in a statement released by the Pentagon. During the surge, the U.S. and coalition partners were also able to strike "enormous blows" against al-Qaeda's leadership. Panetta used the moment as a reminder that there is still a robust fighting force in Afghanistan that needs the nation's support. "We are a nation at war," he said.

CSIS' Anthony Cordesman said yesterday that wavering public support for the war will not be reversed by sugarcoating success there, arguing that there are six conditions that must be met for an effective security transition. Among them, "functional security presence" across key population centers. "This means sustaining the ANA development effort at least through 2017, not rushing it according to today's unworkable schedule," he said. Coalition leaders have to get real, he added. "You do not persuade people that you can turn bullshit into chocolate by constantly praising your progress in dealing with its color and the texture," he said. "You do it by showing them you can deal with its smell and its taste."

[scoutpilot]

"The natives"? Sounds like you're an expert.

[scoutpilot]

Originally Posted by LineInTheSand

Or perhaps instead of spending it.... the U.S. could pay down its $16,000,000,000,000.00+ debt... just a thought.

Not really, since the wars have been debt-financed. But I see your point.

[dlee96]

Originally Posted by bruno

From today's ForeignPolicy Magazine "FPSituation report". Dlee- I can assure you that Anthony Cordesman is also "versed in the war on terror".

I'm not sure what Anthony has to do with my post . I mean, i've read numerous articles (from well-known news companies:CNN,Fox,NY Times, etc) about the War on Terror and I've compiled what I believe is true.

EDIT: I don't think Anthony would actually say that the fighting force is not robust , I mean he would support the war of course
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