01-23-2013, 02:00 PM
Michael Wrote:I personally take offense to this post. After 5 tours overseas as an ‘officer’, I have never once stated, or heard one of the other officers serving with me, state it is OK to fire on civilians. Those who did, didn't last long in command.
We in the military have taken great pains - unfortunately, sometimes at the expense of that most precious American resource, the American service member’s life - to avoid collateral civilian damages. We never did this lightly or frivolously. We have realized, slowly, that in any counterinsurgency operation (COIN) (and Iraq and Afghanistan were COIN after the initial insertion of forces), the thing you have to win is not terrain, or a city, but the PEOPLE. Trust me, you do not win the people by killing civilians – you create more insurgents when you kill civilians.
Keep in mind, the same officers that you are decrying are from this country, and many of us share your frustration with the current policies and decisions. POTUS would have a rough path to find enough officers who would swear to fire on civilians. To do so would only strengthen the resolve of the PEOPLE.
Lets hope youre right Michael. Thank you for your service to our country, thats a sentiment that the DemonRats on Capital hill dont share my brother.