Walk in a soldier's shoes – Feel that need for back up
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/16/art.gates.jpg caption="Australia Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert entering the Pentagon on July 16 to discuss a possible troop surge in Afghanistan"]
Nic Robertson
Senior International Correspondent
Every time I go to Afghanistan I hear the same thing.
We are short of troops, we are short of helicopters, we are short of money to put things right.
No surprise when I embedded with the 24th MEU in southern Helmand province I heard the same complaints again. Only this time, a very big difference. The comments were made by a General on camera not privately in a back room briefing. Every time in the past, apart from a few constructive comments about more money nobody was willing to rock the boat publicly and call it like it was, undermanned.
Gen Dan McNeill, the four star who was until a few months ago in charge of NATO forces in Afghanistan and who is a genuinely nice guy to boot, talked around the subject with me in an almost hour long interview last year. He just didn’t want to say he was short of what he needed most, troops. Sure he said the Afghan army needed to train more men with greater speed, and that the Afghan police we woefully underprepared for their task. But on troops, he said he had all those he needed to do the job he’d been told to do.
Even Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, whom I met in Khost province a few miles from the border with Pakistan in December last year, put the blame elsewhere. He pointed the finger at NATO nations not the US for the short fall in troops. He was seething that some European nations wouldn’t contribute more troops and some that were wouldn’t let their soldiers fight.
What I was seeing on the ground at that time were bases like the one in Wanat, where 9 US soldiers were killed. A relative handful of troops pushed out from large central operating bases to better implement counterinsurgency strategy of being closer to the population, helping convince the Afghans their government supports them. In some places they barely had enough troops to defend their base perimeters let along patrol safely in the steep sided and heavily wood mountain valleys of the Himalayan foothills on the Pakistan border.
The counterinsurgency strategy can work, but in Afghanistan’s wild and mountainous terrain the Taliban are using it to their own deadly effect. Instead of rocketing big bases, which they still do occasionally, they are planting IED’s on re-supply routes, there are too few soldiers to patrol the re-supply routes so re-supply is by helicopter. Some of it’s contracted out to aging Soviet aircraft run by Afghans, the rest by NATO helicopters, and that’s a burden on the limited air assets. That is they were exacerbating the shortage of troops, by implementing tactics designed to draw more in to the fight.
Just a few months ago nobody was prepared to say any of this publicly. Now it seems it is open season on the shortcomings of the war in Afghanistan.
Fresh rhetoric in the race for the White House is bringing a surge of reality to what has until now been the poor cousin to the war in Iraq.
|
|
Filed under: 360° Radar • Afghanistan • Nic Robertson • T1 |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
My son is currently serving in Afghanistan and has served 2 tours in Iraq. My son felt the need to protect his country and his family when 9/11 happened. However, I do believe that it's the responsibility of ALL Americans to stand and protect their country. Why do people feel that it's okay for the same troops to be laying their lives on the line everyday and cover your back while you go play at some college or university. I personally feel that every person graduating from high school should have to serve at least 1-2 years in the military. You have direction, you have goals – do you have patriotism? Sometimes, I just have to wonder.
Nic: It is interesting that the NATO nations are not contributing more troops. Isn't terrorism an issue for them too? Perhaps this attention we are now giving to this war will entice them to do more. Only time will tell I suppose. Thanks for blogging.
Jolene, St. Joseph, MI
I know why don't we just reinstate the draft and send all our murderers, rapists, and child molesters over there to fight. Heck most of our gangs have more fire power then some of our police forces do...........................................
I am wondering if a general of us army or ot the guys in charge with strategy were reading the main books of islam before to confront with Talibans.
We don't have to forget that this name come from "talib",student ,at islamic schools (university) where they study the prophet's life ,with poems, parables, science, mistic, medicine,feelings,technology,tears,weddings, wars and batlles etc
Bubba July 17th, 2008 3:39 pm ET
One more thing; in my lifetime a lot of soldiers have told me I shouldn’t say this, or that, or dress this way or that. Not one ever told me he admired my free speech, or offered to defend me against those who would deny me my rights. No soldier has EVER protected me, although my friend had to call police once to defend her from a soldier. Soldiers drink in bars with plastic windows and plastic beer mugs and pitchers, because they fight so often they aren’t welcome in high class places. Don’t tell me stories about what soldiers do and don’t do, because soldiers are a dime a dozen where I live. Good people in many ways, but violent, self-important, and ignorant as a group.
I know you all have theories about how terrorists would be in my back yard without you. They are Rush Limbaugh’s dope dreams – sober up!
*** Soldiers are a "dime a dozen?" Is that what you said? Let's just hope you don't say those words around any soliders, veterans, or families of veterans. In my opinion, your post was the most ignorant post of the day. IS there a contest for that on CNN? The most ignorant post of the day chosen by the bloggers? Your post gets my vote.
Bubba, im sorry to hear that you feel that way about the people wearing the uniform, I really take offense to that "dime a dozen" comment. If you didn't know, you rights are DEFENDED by the armed forces that go and do the things you couldnt muster the courage to do, whether you want to acknowledge that FACT or not. I am currently serving and will continue to serve as long as I am able. Many of my friends laid down all they had (died serving) on the battlefield and those individuals are not a "dime a dozen". So keep using those freedoms that YOU paid NO price for but take for granted for those that did.
I have just come back from my fifth deployment. I have been to Iraq twice and Afghanistan three times. Although I will continue to stay in the military I know that I am not going back over. However, I have lots of buddies that will be going back and I can assure you that they want nothing to do with someone that has been drafted into the military. Do those of us that serve want to be over there? For the most part, no we do not. However, if we do have to be over there, we want to fight alongside people that want to serve. The only thing a draft would do is put unmotivated, undedicated people into the military which in the end makes us a weaker fighting force.
Why do we lose sight of the bigger picture so easily.
You all can keep losing sight and Argue about the Draft. its stupid.
None of you know JACK unless your a "Combat Veteran". You can be a family member but even that isnt the same. Take your opinions about the wars and what coulda Shoulda woulda happened if you were President or made the rules and shove it.
We are at war. Your opinion doesnt matter unless you are on the Ground fighting next to another soldier.
Dont lose sight of the important things. THE MEN FIGHTING in Afghanistan right this second.
Right this second theres a guy screaming and dying. Theres someone trying to save his life. Theres someone seeing what it is to really live.
Your Opinions about any of this do not matter unless you are there, were there, or are a Veteran. Nothing is clear or set in stone unless you are There.
thinking you know whats best From your comfortable homes while getting Fat....... it is jst so far from Real life. you just wont understand unless you are there.
God Bless you all. and Good Arguments from all sides.
371 Recon
things need to be done for the war, if people just want to whine about how the draft would ruin their lives, think about the troops over their and what their doing for you. i myself am enlisted in the army and im on my way to iraq. saying a draft would bring troop morale down well what brings morale down is listening to people in your own country complaing about something that in reality their not gonna do anything about. back off of bush he at least did something when we were attacked and know your mad at him?
We should indeed reinstate the draft both for men and women. This would eliminate alot of crime. The kids who are graduating from high school and college who still have no direction, a hitch in the military would take care of which direction a person should go. This is still American and lets keep it free and wave old glory at least 20 times aday. My son and daughter proudly serve in the Army (son currently in Iraq) and the Navy (my daughter. serving with the Naval Seabees as an engineer). They have no regrets going to the military after college. We, as a family are so proud of them. If there was a draft, they probably would volunteer. They are true Americans proudly serving and honor those who have served before them. GO ARMY, GO NAVY!!!!
Why are we in Iraq? We did a 180 degree turn in Afghanistan to go after oil! We sent our troops to go after oil and used many excuses to justify! Did the Senate Intel Committee say that Bush used propaganda? Why aren’t we trying to impeach Bush and Cheney? They tried to impeach Clinton for oral sex and a lie and we can’t impeach Bush and Cheney for all the felonies, lies, and all the crimes they committed? If they have nothing to hide, why are they using the executive privilege tool and not allow anyone to testify? Why do Bush, Cheney, and Grampy McSame get passes from the media? Grampy McSame talked about Czechoslovakia which hasn’t been a country for 15 years and he gets a pass from the media ! He confuses Shiite and Sunnis and gets a pass from the media! Are these people ever going to be accountable?
Dawn – please don't be so angry. I am one of the bloggers to this article. I am an Army brat, raised by a Master Sargent ,who ran our home like Ft. Dix. From what I have seen in the comments on this blog, NO ONE has criticized the soldiers, sailors, marines, etc. WE ARE CRITICIZING THE GOVERNMENT. Yes, my father and others in my family, as well as yours, and many others have fought to preserve our freedom. However, what our brave men and women are involved in now is NOT to preserve our freedom – it is to make Cheney, Bush and Halliburton, et al more rich than they already are. This has been the most CORRUPT government we've had since Nixon. I lived through Vietnam – another waste of many, many, precious lives, a few of which were my dear friends. Iraq is the same situation. Bush used our military and the events on 9/11 to invade Iraq – who DID NOT attack us. So before you paint everyone with the same brush, please stop and think. Yes, we can express our opinion and to do is AMERICAN. We are NOT critizing the military. They have to do what the idiot in the WH tells them to do. Peace.
After spending time in the middle east on 4 occasions at Air Force intsallations Im baffled as to why there isnt enough money to get to the front line troops?! These AFBs are an oasis in the desert with more surplus and ammenities then the us taxpayer would ever believe.
You know what I think? If we blow Afganistan off the map. Then our troops will finally be able to go home. Unfortunatly, It would not be a wise choice to kill innocent civilians who's only crime was being an afgan. To me, It appears as though America is only putting its nose where it shouldn't be. Leave Iran alone and suppose the troops In Afganistan.
One more thing; in my lifetime a lot of soldiers have told me I shouldn't say this, or that, or dress this way or that. Not one ever told me he admired my free speech, or offered to defend me against those who would deny me my rights. No soldier has EVER protected me, although my friend had to call police once to defend her from a soldier. Soldiers drink in bars with plastic windows and plastic beer mugs and pitchers, because they fight so often they aren't welcome in high class places. Don't tell me stories about what soldiers do and don't do, because soldiers are a dime a dozen where I live. Good people in many ways, but violent, self-important, and ignorant as a group.
I know you all have theories about how terrorists would be in my back yard without you. They are Rush Limbaugh's dope dreams – sober up!
Did I read it right – a US embassy in Iran? Im going to check the calendar to make sure it's not 1st April
One could assume that the inevitability of a new President is bringing out the common sense in the generals, and got them doing what they should have done 6 years ago – tell it like it is, and not how the Bush administration wanted to sell the story.
My son on July 10 was deployed to Afghanistan...scared, loney, confused, and wanting to make sure I would be okay. One of the proudest moments for him was to graduate basic training. He stood tall, confident and proud. The draft, I really have no opinion, but I know alot of our youth need proud moments. My husband, a Firefighter, and who lost many brothers in 911, now calls my son and the others over there a "HERO" dont lose sight as to why. Dont forget, we got our "A– Kicked" with 911, maybe we can avoid it from happening again. Remenber this.... You and I are not fighting this fight the "BRAVE ONES ARE" some of you just sit back, like watching a game on TV and say..."The Ref made a Bad Call"...think about it...
Thank you...have a great day
Evan July 17th, 2008 3:06 pm ET
What does the draft solve?
***Well, Evan, I am sure you have many goals and ideas for your future, but if the draft is reinstated and you were drafted, you would have to serve your country and THEN you can go after those goals. I am not sure about this wasn't a person able to get a waiver for military service if they were enrolled in college? Of' course, college then was real hard work and not just an extension of high school, but that is another subject entrely.
The draft was stopped quickly when the 'draft board' system was ruled unconstitutional. With a draft board, the mayor's son and the sheriff's son could be exempted while your son and those black kids who wear their pants so low could be drafted and taught a quick lesson about power. When the mayor's son had to go and die for his country, the draft AND the war ended in days.
When there was a draft, the fast-track to military service was a letter to the editor. Speak against the administration and go to 'Nam.
Kristen- Philadelphia, PA July 17th, 2008 10:46 am ET
John how about you and all the other pro draft people go over and serve if not already. You must be crazy if you think first of all the draft is going to be reinstated and secondly if you think it’s going to include women.
***First of all I already served on active duty and active reserves. I am 46 years old, and I am registered for selective service. What is wrong with women being required to register for selective service? Aren't you for equal rights?
I am a military wife, daughter, grand daughter, sister, and friend. I read all of your conversations above and smile. Opinions – thoughts – comments – arguments – RIGHT OR WRONG all of you have one common – the fact that all of our soldiers / veterans who gave you ALL of these rights to speak how you want, when you want and about whatever you want in any form or fashion. We have a volunteer military and each of them chooses to do their time – for some they decide it is not right for them and that is perfectly fine, on your way out don’t bash the men & women who serve with, honor, integrity and commitment. Most importantly the same people you bash will be the ones that you call on again and again when the time is needed for your family to be protected!!!! But please don't criticize what you do not know or understand. Draft – put it to a vote – that is our RIGHT. People being forced into the military – I personally don’t agree I only want the BEST around my family members serving and for your families to be protected by – not people forced into something that they want nothing to do with. Be a mentor to those that have no direction….for the young that DO have direction and the motivation to make something of your self outside of the military – good for you. I hope that you all will teach and give back to those communities that need it most.
Our family is represented in all the branches of service – I am very proud of every person that serves even if it’s not for them – they tried which more then MOST can say for others. Even in our very large family of military members and police officers, even in our family we do not always agree with how things are run by our President, Country, Issues of war, and politics but we all know where our RIGHT to say what we want and feel came from and for that we are forever GREATFUL to each and everyone of our Military members – For those of you who want to sit and complain and do nothing about it, please make sure you thank a veteran for the ability to say whatever you feel RIGHT or WRONG on these blogs without any repercussions…
.
What does the draft solve? Sure it might fill in holes where we are spread too thin. However, the body count gets higher when there are unmotivated soldiers going to fight on the front lines. Not only do the lesser trained soldiers slow down and demoralize a volunteer unit, they put the veteran and motivated in more and more danger. What happens then? There is a public outburst to withdraw. It's a no win situation.
Required military service is also ridiculous. There are plenty of highly motivated young people who want to go to college after high school, want to go out and get jobs, or perhaps want to pursue a career in the military as it is. Yes, it works for some countries. Countries that have instituted that policy long ago, in the infancy of their existence. Instituting a policy like that today would stir up a hornet's nest. You could also suggest only serving a year in the military. What does that do? You'll have 2-3 months of basic training and then another month or so of advanced training. You're still under trained to go into battle.
I know I am a little late but John, I would have to agree with you. women should be required for selective service also. I think equal rights is a good thing, but we can't just let people pick and choose the rights that the want and forget about the ones they don't.
Nic:
I have really mixed feelings when it comes to sending additional troops into Afganistan. On the one hand I want our military to have enough troops to be able to get the job done. On the other hand I do not really know what the job is.
We are sending Pakistan 10-11 million dollars a month to finance the war on terrorism. Pakistan is a safe haven for Taliban & Al-Qaeda
forces that are killing our troops in Afganistan. Until we get a real commitment on their parts, I believe that more troops will lead to more bloodshed.
Afganistan seems like the wild west. The ones that we are fighting against have lived in that rugged terrain for generations. They know how to move forces and weapons with quickness and agility. They know how to use that terrain to obtain maximum advantage against us. They also know how to maximize their advantage on Islamic TV.
Unarmed civilians one day can be armed terrorists the next day. The enemy is not always clear. After many years of internal cival war, this once proud country is a very lawless and dangerous place to be.
Susan
Phoenixville,PA
Munk, you are a moron, go back to your office, enjoy your coffee in peace and enjoy all the other things we soldiers put our a$$ on the line for. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS OVER THERE TRUST ME I WAS THERE FOR 15 months 2006-2008. Have a wonderful day with-out the terrorists in your back-yard..That is why we take the fight to them over there!!!!!
SSG
US Army
HOOAH!
I have to say I am against the draft. I joined the Air Force over 25 years ago and did it for personal as well as patriotic reasons. I was not directionless or lost, but had certain goals I needed help reaching. The Air Force was the avenue for me and I have reached most of those goals and still stay loyal to the Air Force and US. I have one maybe two more years and I will retire to make room for some new blood. I participated in the first Gulf war, been to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan several times and am thankful that I was not deployed with a bunch of Americas most wanted criminals like so many of you seem to think belong in the military. The military is a profession maintained and sustained by professionals. Do you really think it is a good idea to have drug users, child molesters and convicted fellons running around with guns? Please! I have served as both a recruiter and a First Sergeant and have been on both sides of putting people in uniform and helping them out the door when they don't fit. I don't think it's a matter of needing more people, it's a matter of using what we have in a better manner. Please keep the good ones coming and find something for the bad eggs to do. I don't want my life or the life of my daughter who will be joining shortly in the hands of a criminal. If you haven't served you don't know, so please don't tell speculate about what it's like to be in the military, join yourself or keep quiet!
I am totally against a draft. The ones who are in favor of a draft must not have children or brothers and sisters.
The ones of you who say, " where is the patriotism?" And the ones who say, " we don't care about our soldiers who are fighting." WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE US TO DO TO SHOW PARTIOTISM? I'm 24 and married with a 5 mth old. I can't jump in a plane and fly overseas to try and investigate what's going on like mr.cooper can. I haven't forgotten about the war or the soldiers, but there's not much I can do except PRAY. There's so much that goes on in this war that is just so sad, American soldiers being killed or innocent Iraqis being killed by other Iraqis. There are people that are for the war and those that are against the war, some say if our troops weren't over there then they would be attacking us in the U.S. I don't know if that's true or not. I just know that I can not imagine being away from my husband for 12 to 18 months at a time, if he were in the army. My heart goes out to all the spouses and children who have to endure this.
Soldiers (or anyone in the armed services) serving in this war, please remember you are not forgotten, that there are so many people praying for your safety and strength for your families. Our church has prayer service every Wednesday night, and we pray individually for soldiers that are known personally, then prayer for anybody fighting over seas.
May God be with our troops and our country.
Let's create a foreign legion. Raise a division of young "non US citizens" and pay them back with citizenship after 3 years of service. Solves two problems a) not enough "US citizens" who want to serve their country b) provide an avenue to citizenship. It seems to work for the French.
Gates is completely wrong. In 2001, we had defeated the Taliban, almost eradicated the poppy and made life livable for women and put a government in charge. Almost. Now, for reasons finally made public, we left a small force in place and decamped en masse to invade a country that never did threaten us and became mired in the Iraq nightmare which consumed our national treasury and the lives of our young troops. So, NATO cannot be made out to share in our mistakes.
The reason we don't have the draft is there would be a large spike in protests against both wars like we saw in the 60's against Vietnam. Forcing people to fight in a war where there is no real objective would not be wise.
Todays' soldier is a contracted professional. Some are loyal to this country, but a surprising number would contract with the highest bidder.
The draftee is representative of the "Duty with Honor" philosophy. True, they have been drafted and they express regret about their status, but draftees are the true essense of our loyalty to country.
There is a reluctance among many in this society to be truely supportive to these present day military professionals. They are a different breed. It is their choice to be doing what they are doing. If the numbers of professionals decline the draft may be the only solution.
John,
Do you fully understand the implications that you are tossing around so freely? First, the main goal of the draft would not be to give young people direction. If that was the case, I know of many seminars and self-help books that are attributed to better PARENTING! Being involved and having direction would be a byproduct at best. Thats assuming that they survive the mental destitution and horrors of war, come to grips with the justification of imparting violence onto another human being, and of course the physical consequences involved.
More importantly, the onus of responsibility for now, ultimately falls upon the fattened cattle of middle america for its inabilty to stand up to George Bush in pursuit of a winless war. I am a young person, and I find it sickening to watch the complacency of middle class American acting like sheep and blindly accepting whatever is told of them. Maybe this has been caused by the corporate mentality, but are still no execuse involved.
Also, I urge people to study the history of the middle east, especially the involvement of Afghanistan and Russia. Also, I would advise people to look into the history of Irasel and he Middle East. If there is one thing that we will learn is that violence does not solve anything. It only broods hate and causes additional violence. And it is a chain reaction that circulates back and forth. I take that back, violence can solve problems. The only problem is that you have to eliminate an entire civilization to do so!
Lastly, people using the term patriotsim, please understand what you are saying first. Patriotism is probably the number one tatic used by politicians to subjugate and control its citizens into unnecessary violence and hate. It not promotes nationalism, it creates a great divide for human beings. What happens when every country in the world is after nationalism? Wars. It has been that way since the start of time, and it won't end until we can act like human beings.
How do we(United States) convince other countries to defend their own self interest against terrotism? Do most of us think terrorism happens only to others?
It seems their are two types of terrorism; organized and unorganized. Some like to claim terrorism is everywhere and they are right. Yet, organized terrorism seeks to conquer societies and convert them into something other than democratic. Islamic leaders are not bluffing when they broadcast their goal to install Islamic states throughout the world.
That is the dumbiest thing I ever heard with the draft. It is also stupid to hear people say they want everyone to serve in the military for atleast a year.... First of all the military is not for everyone... i see people in the military and wonder why did they even join if they complain so much now... A draft is a quick solution but is going to fail... All these old people want this draft just because they had to go through a draft... we are in a different ERA and under democracy which gives to an option... I do not want unmotivated and unskilled draftees going to iraq and not know what to do... I am in the military myself at the moment and served in iraq and afganistan.... you can't kill all the terrorist and people who think we can are jus ignorant... obviously the U.S. military doesn't want to be away from their families 6 to 18 months but this is something we signed and for and we have to oblige to our commitment....
We used to have a larger military and as a result of the peace dividend after the fall of the Warsaw Pact we chose to get smaller. With that National Guard Troops were moved higher on the delployment list. With the fall of the Soviet block we lost one large enemy and gained a whole list of smaller ones. As for the draft I had 20 plus years on active duty and the National Guard. We have good soldiers and they are there because they want to be, A volunteer will always bring more to the table then someone forced to be there. If we need a larger military let's use the volunteer system with better pay, bonus for certain skills and a beefed up GI Bill. When they come home get them in school and prepare them for next phase of their lives.
Texx,
I aggree with your idea of limiting every congressman to two terms unfortunately congress will have to approve a bill making it so.