Military buget cut proposals would take US to 1940 troop levels.

[Blackhawk2001]

I don't want to start a peeing contest here because you acknowledged that "boots on the ground (are) still needed", however, name me a war or really a significant battle that "technology" has won. Battles and wars are won by the privates and PFC's standing on top of an intermediate or final objective with their bayonet fixed and the smoke still curling out of the barrel of their primary weapon. Troops employed correctly are and have been the backbone of any army since the beginning of time.

(Just the rambling thoughts of an old, retired "grunt".)

"Technology" doesn't take and hold ground, and frankly, untested "technological miracles" are more likely to cause military defeat for us than otherwise, as unwise leaders try to minimize the human cost of war at the expense of the dependability of the trained soldier.

 

[arthrimus]

"Technology" doesn't take and hold ground, and frankly, untested "technological miracles" are more likely to cause military defeat for us than otherwise, as unwise leaders try to minimize the human cost of war at the expense of the dependability of the trained soldier.

True, but if our massive unrivaled naval fleet can hold their transport ships at bay, and our unrivaled Air Force can stop their bombers and transport planes, then they never get boots on the ground and a land war never happens. You only need "boots on the ground" when the battle is on the ground. Any hypothetical war with China that takes place on US soil is pure fantasy.

 

[r3126]

True, but if our massive unrivaled naval fleet can hold their transport ships at bay, and our unrivaled Air Force can stop their bombers and transport planes, then they never get boots on the ground and a land war never happens. You only need "boots on the ground" when the battle is on the ground. Any hypothetical war with China that takes place on US soil is pure fantasy.

One rather big EMP and all the technology needed to "find, fix and destroy" those ships and planes is gone. It all comes back to the man standing on the objective - whether that objective is a hill, an island or a continent.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

True, but if our massive unrivaled naval fleet can hold their transport ships at bay, and our unrivaled Air Force can stop their bombers and transport planes, then they never get boots on the ground and a land war never happens. You only need "boots on the ground" when the battle is on the ground. Any hypothetical war with China that takes place on US soil is pure fantasy.

And, "boots on the ground" are not as effective if the nation doesn't have the resources to keep them properly out-fitted. Wasn't one of Alcaida's original goals to goad the U.S. into a protracted campaign geared towards sapping resources?

 

[Kutnupe14]

I don't really see how you can say this since we've been the target of an invasion for the past 30 years and have been totally unwilling to suppress or prevent it.

Invasion by which foreign power?

 

[Kutnupe14]

One rather big EMP and all the technology needed to "find, fix and destroy" those ships and planes is gone. It all comes back to the man standing on the objective - whether that objective is a hill, an island or a continent.

You'd be surprised of US contingencies for dealing with that type of stuff.

 

[cobber]

One rather big EMP and all the technology needed to "find, fix and destroy" those ships and planes is gone. It all comes back to the man standing on the objective - whether that objective is a hill, an island or a continent.

It's funny all the EMP SHTF scenarios. What percentage of the world's population wouldn't even notice, I wonder...?

 

[Kutnupe14]

It's funny all the EMP SHTF scenarios. What percentage of the world's population wouldn't even notice, I wonder...?

It's been estimated that over 700 million, in China alone, have never brushed their teeth, so I imagine a bunch of people would have no idea.

 

[r3126]

You'd be surprised of US contingencies for dealing with that type of stuff.

No, I wouldn't. Run a strong magnet over your credit card and see what happens. EMP vs hardened sites/equipment is just this and a matter of megatons.

 

[r3126]

It's funny all the EMP SHTF scenarios. What percentage of the world's population wouldn't even notice, I wonder...?

As an immediate matter, probably a moderate percentage. In the long run, 100%. "EMP/SHTF scenarios" are not that remote a possibility - how many countries/rogue factions have or nearly have access to nukes?

 

[Trooper]

No, I wouldn't. Run a strong magnet over your credit card and see what happens. EMP vs hardened sites/equipment is just this and a matter of megatons.

EMP (using a nuke at 100 miles above the earth) or a solar flare would not only those out but would wipe the electronics in your car, the gas pump, all cell phones (we used to have a hardened system with the mechanical switched phones), most TV and radio and just about all control systems in our society. We have less mechanically controlled devices these days. Thus we would be in a situation much like the Amish except that they can function.

 

[Libertarian01]

To All,

Sun Tzu, Ch II, Waging War, #7 - "For there has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited."

No nation can have the most powerful military on earth if it does not have the most powerful economy on earth. It is ironic that our military industrial complex has become counterproductive to our military strength. The amount we spend on gadgets and toys has reaped tremendous results, but those results come at a steeper price than it appears.

We must reduce spending, massively, and regain our footing as an economic power before it is too late. If we do not we will spend ourselves into the graveyard of empires.

While China does not see eye to eye with us on many things, we need not worry about a single Chinese boot on American soil in an attempt to destroy us. All China need do to insure our swift demise is to stop buying our bonds! If they cut our revenue stream we would choke on our own bloated budget. And while China may wish us on a leash we both have each other by the tail. Our economies are so intertwined that an attack upon America is almost analogous to an attack on China.

If we are to remain strong we must prioritize our economy and from that all other strength will flow.

Regards,

Doug

 

[r3126]

To All,

Sun Tzu, Ch II, Waging War, #7 - "For there has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited."

No nation can have the most powerful military on earth if it does not have the most powerful economy on earth. It is ironic that our military industrial complex has become counterproductive to our military strength. The amount we spend on gadgets and toys has reaped tremendous results, but those results come at a steeper price than it appears.

We must reduce spending, massively, and regain our footing as an economic power before it is too late. If we do not we will spend ourselves into the graveyard of empires.

While China does not see eye to eye with us on many things, we need not worry about a single Chinese boot on American soil in an attempt to destroy us. All China need do to insure our swift demise is to stop buying our bonds! If they cut our revenue stream we would choke on our own bloated budget. And while China may wish us on a leash we both have each other by the tail. Our economies are so intertwined that an attack upon America is almost analogous to an attack on China.

If we are to remain strong we must prioritize our economy and from that all other strength will flow.

Regards,

Doug

Well said!

 

[9mmfan]

The Air Force is the best, modern force in the world? Yeah, right:
Fleets fade away with Pentagon budget cuts - Washington Times

 

[jdmack79]

The Air Force is the best, modern force in the world? Yeah, right:
Fleets fade away with Pentagon budget cuts - Washington Times

In your mind, if we don't have the best and most modern air force in the world, who does?

 

[9mmfan]

We may have the 'best' now but it won't be to long before the canceling of the F-22 will really put a crimp in the air superiority role. Upgraded F-15 may fill the gap for a short time. The F-35 doesn't come close to the F-22 and costs as much. The F-16 is now outclassed.

 

[Trooper]

How do we avoid being effected by everyone else in the world? Especially the bullies? Are we going to destroy all technology especially jet aircraft, satellites and the Internet?

There are bullies. They may not effect our interests directly but they do effect us. If nothing else because the media reports on such things. We no longer have the option of hiding. The world will get in your face and scream at you.

It is not so much that we should use, or not use, the military. It is that the military is not always the best tool. We do have influence. Though wimps like Obama or Carter are very respected. Russia knows that we are burned out. He does not seem to understand that no one really cares anymore, that public opinion is not the factor it once was. Frankly I do not know how to use influence without the threat of violence. With the Russian we do have little leverage. The only thing that gets their attention is that it would cost them in terms of war. Now if NATO would put troops into the Ukraine, that might do the trick.

Russia does fear the Muslims, especially the Iranians. And the Chinese would be a problem for them.

Now if we had a good arms industry, we could drop a million AKs into the Ukraine. And some lite armor. Let the people have the weapons.

 

[cobber]

EMP (using a nuke at 100 miles above the earth) or a solar flare would not only those out but would wipe the electronics in your car, the gas pump, all cell phones (we used to have a hardened system with the mechanical switched phones), most TV and radio and just about all control systems in our society. We have less mechanically controlled devices these days. Thus we would be in a situation much like the Amish except that they can function.

If there were an EMP attack, what would the NSA do for a living?

 

[Jludo]

How do we avoid being effected by everyone else in the world? Especially the bullies? Are we going to destroy all technology especially jet aircraft, satellites and the Internet?

There are bullies. They may not effect our interests directly but they do effect us. If nothing else because the media reports on such things. We no longer have the option of hiding. The world will get in your face and scream at you.

Yeah, all those nations with military bases on our soil. All their droning of our citizens, black sites, extraordinary renditions, threats, interventions,night raids and fueling unrest. Can't believe the things we have to put up with from all those foreign bullies strong arming us.

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

Yeah, all those nations with military bases on our soil. All their droning of our citizens, black sites, extraordinary renditions, threats, interventions,night raids and fueling unrest. Can't believe the things we have to put up with from all those foreign bullies strong arming us.

JSOC has exploded in size under barry's reign doing dirty **** (on our behalf) in everyone's backyard , don't think "they" aren't doing it back to us .


"The star that burns brightest , burns out the quickest" , IMO we're on our downhill slide and effing with countries that are much older than we are and have played these games longer than we have .