gpatmac

iTrader: (3)

Quick background. He's the brigade commander for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. They are the ones currently knee deep in the fight up and around the Iraqi/Syrian border (WNW of Mosul.)

...you will hear much more from and about that man over the next 20-30 years.


Not at all hero worship by me, nor criticical envy; just an observation.


http://www.carson.army.mil/UNITS/3RD...71st%20Bio.htm
http://www.dod.mil/transcripts/2005/...0913-3901.html

HellaDumb

iTrader: (3)

Yes, I watched this two nights ago on CSPAN I think... the guy has an unusual presence on-camera.

They have made substantial success in their mission, and yesterday's suicide strikes in Iraq were a testament to that success, supposedly in response to the killing of over 200 al-queda fighters in the Tall-afar region.

It looks like the US has found a nerve.

gpatmac

iTrader: (3)

I think you are absolutely right.

I'll tell you, I have the feeling that the guy is a no BS guy. I know that term has a connotation we're all familiar with, but what I mean is that with him, there's no distractions like his ego nor external distractions. It takes a unique mind to be able to distinguish what is REALLY important, make everyone who works for him fully understand what is really important and influence his entire 3500+ soldiers to focus 100% on that.

That nerve has probably been evident to him since well before he took command of his brigade; well before he took the rank of COL.

Salty

iTrader: (14)

I agree. The wallpaper of great 05's and above always amaze me, btw.

It must be a pre-requisit that good O7's and above be given at least 2 honorary master degrees on top of the two they already have. Not to mention it seems like you must hold at least one Ph.D. Their acomplishments are usually always something to behold on the civilian and military level. Don't even think about making it to the top if you've ever worn a blue cord without ever being tabbed.

Gpatmac, have you read about Col. James H. Coffman Jr.? Seems like the highly motived type the military could use more of. Hope to see more of this guy:

http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=7794

http://www4.army.mil/armyimages/army...php?photo=7339

Could use more Iraqis like those he fought with as well.

HellaDumb

iTrader: (3)

You know to be honest, as an every-day civi, I had been very doubtful of the whole concept around training Iraqis to be self-policing. After listening to this guy and his experience, it just clicked.. it can work, and that's why Al-queda is acting out of desperation (and unfortunately why police have been so brutally targeted).

Salty

iTrader: (14)

agree 110%

gpatmac

iTrader: (3)

Salty, I'll check that out.

Hella, I've seen it first hand. I was very skeptical based on everything I'd read about our experiences with the S. Vietnamese Army. I'm not saying that they were a completely untrainable Army; we made a lot of mistakes. For one, we created an environment where they looked to us as actual leaders as opposed to advisors like we were supposed to be.

I don't want to go in depth, but we've learned our lesson and our training (what the SF calls FID, Foreign Internal Defense) is geared towards 'empowering' their leaders and really ensuring that their soldiers are receiving some really great training. I really feel that it isn't eyewash at all.