Of recent, reports about the Army downsizing its officer corps have made it into the news. Most commonly, the point being addressed is how some serving officers (captains and majors) are receiving the military equivalent to the pink slip. They are being released early, even if their intent is to serve a full career. Most reprehensibly, some officers currently serving in combat in Afghanistan are being informed they will be separated from the Army no later than next spring.
As disgusting as is the Army's decision to inform leaders in combat that they are essentially being being fired, downsized if you will, the real learning point here is being missed in the pieces I have read. The real learning point is that the Armed Forces of the United States of America serve a civilian leadership, a leadership that does not fully grasp that these large organizations do not inherently have the agility to respond effectively in short order to politically driven manpower or procurement decisions, without creating significant problems in the future. Lest one read into this that I am being specifically critical of the current administration, even though it would be well earned, the learning point applies more broadly.
During 30 years of active duty, I witnessed first hand at least two similar rounds of what some call "peace dividends." One in the mid-70s, right at the end of Vietnam, and one in the early 90s, after the fall of "the Wall" signifying the end of the Cold War and the lopsided results of Desert Storm. Administrations and Congress demanded rapid military personnel cuts and reorganization, with each side of the aisle claiming ridiculous and unsubstantiated savings, while concurrently claiming to be preserving our national security. Absurd!
As a young company grade officer during the first experience, I lived through a time when most units did not deploy for training; most units were woefully short of personnel; equipment readiness rates were dismal; and morale was low. Re-enlistments were hard to come by. The demanding training we sought was too small and too infrequent. At my level, instead of rigorous training, I was faced with the challenges of keeping Marines occupied while on base. It became more like an 8-5 job, rather than the military I thought I'd joined.
As a senior officer during the second experience, I lived through reduced training budgets; boards which sent Marines to early retirement; wholesale reduction of units; key capabilities being transferred from active duty force structure to the Guard and reserves; posturing instead of acting; and unwise employment of military forces.
Some of the results of the first experience included abysmal combat readiness, leading to failure during the attempted operation to rescue the hostages in Iran. Let me quickly note and acknowledge the bravery and total dedication to the mission by all those involved. However, combat readiness is based on years of consistent, challenging training to hone and maintain critical skills. Upon this foundation, specific mission training can be designed and conducted. Attempting to up the skills left dormant for all too long, while simultaneously attempting to conduct specific mission training, is an unacceptable challenge and task for our warriors. Additionally, I fear too many great warriors decided to leave the military, finding themselves disillusioned by the lack of leadership and absence of rigorous training. These may have been the battlefield leaders of the future.
Some of the results of the second experience paralleled the first. Low combat readiness. Some individual units were excelling, but we don't fight as individual units. We fight as joint commands. Further, an over reliance on push button warfare was embraced by the National Command Authorities. Airpower, cruise missiles, and the like became the option of choice. Sure, special operations was getting the resources and training it needed, but the larger Armed Forces were not. This mindset continued for some time, much to our detriment.
Warfare means eventually a well trained Marine or soldier or sailor holding a rifle must stand on some objective and declare victory. That level training requires resources, including manpower and time. That rigorous and consistent training is what produces combat readiness.
Now we are once again seeing crucial training and experience being forsaken, as embodied in the captains and majors being unceremoniously separated from the service.
Our elected leaders, to whom the military reports, have once more failed to learn the lessons of history. Take, for example, the peace dividend at the end of World War II. How did that work out for us when North Korea crossed the 38th Parallel? Or, how about the post-Vietnam hollow force so aptly written about by Colin Powell and others? Did that deter our enemies in Iran or Beirut? How did moving critical units into the Guard and reserve work out during OIE/OEF?
Elected leaders directing wholesale, rapid downsizing of the Armed Forces fail to recognize the potential negative future results of their rush to action. The Armed Forces can certainly cut manpower in short order, as the recent reports of the Army's actions reveal. But haste makes waste.
If a carefully considered and analyzed decision is reached to downsize, then an equally considered and analyzed process must be employed to attain the downsize objectives. The size and importance of the Armed Forces require it. Unfortunately, elected officials are ignorant of or ignore history when failing to recognize the lesson to be learned. It takes time to recruit, build, and train a combat ready Armed Forces. If it becomes necessary to reduce the size of the Armed Forces, the decision must not be taken lightly and must be based on comprehensive study of the future needs of the nation.
Quickly reacting to politically driven decisions does not serve our nation or its security. Lacking agility to do so in the too short timelines demanded of the politicians without harming our future capabilities, the Armed Forces follow orders in a ham fisted, begrudging manner. We are seeing the front end of those actions today.
I shudder to contemplate the future ramifications.
No comments:
Post a Comment