Posted on Dec 8, 2014
True then as it is today? Famous words from a famous Sailor
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"Three favorite rules of thumb" Admiral Nimitz had printed on a card he kept on his desk, as quoted in LIFE magazine (10 July 1944)
Is the proposed operation likely to succeed?
What might be the consequences of failure?
Is it in the realm of practicability in terms of material and supplies?
A real USN leader. I think his words are immortal. Makes you sort of question if our current commanders asked these same questions when the war in Iraq/Afghanistan was being considered.
Perhaps the last one to add is:
Will public opinion impact the mission should sustained operations be necessary?
Is the proposed operation likely to succeed?
What might be the consequences of failure?
Is it in the realm of practicability in terms of material and supplies?
A real USN leader. I think his words are immortal. Makes you sort of question if our current commanders asked these same questions when the war in Iraq/Afghanistan was being considered.
Perhaps the last one to add is:
Will public opinion impact the mission should sustained operations be necessary?
Posted 10 y ago
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SSG(P) (Join to see), those are three great rules of thumb. It would be excellent if our senior leaders (military leaders as well as political leaders) would think of such things as they move us into operations. I'm guessing the military commanders do just that, and they get push-back from political leaders who are more concerned with the political questions, such as THEIR popularity and re-electability, than they are with those three excellent rules of thumb.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
The military has to be flexible to political pressure...I often wonder how many conflicts or wars were lost because they became unpopular for the Congress and House.
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