Do the American people need to know all our military strategies?

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 07:19:04 -0400

In my opinion it is best that the american people mostly the press to stay out of this area. Have we forgot what OPSEC is??? To tell the people, over the internet, tv, radio and papers what we plan to do is ludicrous! Why not just send the enemy our battle plans and call it a day. I realize that the american people have some right as to what the military is doing but only after the operation is done or is in full swing and then only partially. I believe that we need to do what ever it takes to get the job done and that is to kill the cowardly enemy and to keep civilian casualties at a minimum. My thoughts, what are yours?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 9 at 2014 8:47 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:47:34 -0400

Like with all the 3 letter alphabet soup organizations, what the general public doesn't know about what they are doing isn't going to hurt them.

If it weren't for all the leaky sqeakies like Snowden, no one would be any the wiser. Black Ops are a necessary evil and IMHO we can't have them questioned. Waterboarding is need so Joe Beachbum can keep surfboarding.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 9 at 2014 9:17 AM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:17:18 -0400

I totally agree. It's fine for the news to report "Operations in Southern Afghanistan" and maybe even a broad objective, but when they say "X" unit is deploying "Y" number of troops from FOB "Z" to "A" location at "B" time to accomplish "C" objective, and the news cameras are waiting when they get there, something has gone seriously wrong in my view.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 9 at 2014 9:39 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:39:36 -0400

SGT Richard H. and MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca , I wholeheartedly agree with your statements which brings me to a separate, but related question.
Do you think the (relatively) recent policy of 'embedding' reporters in units is helpful to society and or military operations or is it more harmful? Should we continue with this practice?
I have personally seen stories come from these reporters that were helpful to the mission, but I have also heard of examples where operations were significantly hindered as a result.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Sep 9 at 2014 9:55 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:55:04 -0400

It's bothered me tremendously the amount of information that the Pentagon and the administration allow to be put out to the media and to anyone that bears us ill-will. Surge numbers, timelines for withdrawal, etc. is not information that should be disseminated, while I believe that the American people are entitled to a lot of information from their government, most if not all of the militaries strategies and plans should be kept close to the vest until after the event/operation have already occurred.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 10:09 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:09:09 -0400

I fully agree that the OPSEC in the past few years is horrendous. The press knows what the troops are doing before the troops know. One thing that should be put to an end is the media reporting what units are getting ready to deploy or which are returning home. This would be an easy intel source for the enemy to hit the troops before they even get to the theater to engage them. The government needs to put a lid on this situation and fast, especially with the growing build ups of ISIS and other country's forces in Asia.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 10:24 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:24:53 -0400

Strategy, yes. Operations and tactics, no.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 9 at 2014 10:34 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:34:26 -0400

The American people need to know what the overall goal is and what achieving that goal may take...but they don't need to know the particulars. Besides, most wouldn't UNDERSTAND the particulars.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 11:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:24:06 -0400

I completely agree its bad enough that any Joe Smoe can do a quick internet search on pretty much any thing about the military they want any find more information that about that topic than they should be able to find. You can find any FM word for word over the Internet which really just makes it easier for our enemies to learn our tactics and how we fight or react to situations. That type of stuff should be for military personnel only and information should only be let out if it doesnt let out strategy or hinder the ongoing operations. Im tired of all this talk about OPSEC but then our government is going to tell the world what we plan do to about the issue instead of saying dont worry America we got this its all under control.

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made Sep 9 at 2014 11:45 AM

SSgt Robert Clark — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:45:36 -0400

This is an argument I have had since Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The news media has no business being in an active war zone. When they report real world activities in real time all they do is give the enemy the information they need to defeat us. If anyone thinks they need to know then they can find out after the fact from information obtained by combat photographers and reporters. Regardless of what people think, they don't have a need to know.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 11:52 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:52:37 -0400

What gets disseminated to America also gets disseminated to the world. This is the "information age", where everything is just a short Google away.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Sep 9 at 2014 12:19 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:19:23 -0400

No. The American people do not need to know the strategies of the military. Of course, it would be nice if our leader knew or were able to provide one to the troops?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 4:07 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:07:47 -0400

Most times it's best if the public is dumb to what's going on. Best for all involved.