Posted on Mar 3, 2014
Capt Andre Toman
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Does the U.S. have a responsibility to support democracy, even if it means a confrontation with Russia at this time?  Would you deploy to protect the Ukranians?
Posted in these groups: 979a8ca4 Ukraine1ed105b8 RussiaUnclesam Democracy
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SSG(P) Casualty Operations Ncoic
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With what assets should we "assisting" the Ukrainians, sir?


Don't get me wrong, I think tyranny anywhere should be squashed.  However, our own forces are being slashed, and we simply do not have the capability to launch such a mission, at least not for long.


Even inserting a QRF force (82nd or 101st) means entry into a denied area, and then establishing and protecting a logistics tail for that operation.


Forgetting the logistics, we (our leadership) would have to establish a mission with clear, achievable, measurable goals.  Then they would have to decide how far they are willing to go to achieve the mission.  A defensive action?  Or perhaps a slugfest with Russia?  What would we gain aside from the "moral high ground?"  That and $0.35 will get you a 3 minute phone call.


We are still in Afghanistan, where most of our real combat power is.  We have a long logistics tail there.  Seeing as our leadership is struggling to hold the line in Afghanistan, can we afford, in money, equipment, and lives, to open a second front, which would likely be a can of worms (at best)?

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CWO3 Brent Kern
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I don't think we have the financial ability to support another full scale war at this point; we have a capable but weary force with a worn out fleet of vehicles and equipment. I think we need to introvert as a nation and do a little internal repair before we jump off into another potential long war.
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SGM Matthew Quick
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Edited 11 y ago
Of course...like it or not, it's our job to be the world's police force.

If not us, who?
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SSG(P) Casualty Operations Ncoic
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I have to respectfully disagree here, MSG Quick.  We simply do not have the money, people, will, or credibility for this role anymore.  I think Putin (and many other nations) realizes this.
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