Do you believe that the rules of engagment should be changed to better protect our active duty military?

2014-10-16T08:08:08-04:00

We have lost many service members due to the current rules of engagement. To my knowledge, these rules were made by people who may not have had any experience with combat. Do you feel we should readdress these rules of engagement, and do you feel that active duty military leaders or politicians with military service would be better suited to make amendments to them to increase the probability of bringing ours home alive? Also, our guys should have no fear of negative press unless the press is right next to them in the line of fire and taking pictures. If they aren't in the middle of it that cannot question the decisions made in the combat arena.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 16 at 2014 8:11 AM

2014-10-16T08:11:33-04:00

Applies I think...

“If we can use an H-bomb--and as you said it's no checker game; it's real, it's war and nobody is fooling around--isn't it sort of ridiculous to go crawling around in the weeds, throwing knives and maybe getting yourself killed . . . and even losing the war . . . when you've got a real weapon you can use to win? What's the point in a whole lot of men risking their lives with obsolete weapons when one professor type can do so much more just by pushing a button?'
Zim didn't answer at once, which wasn't like him at all. Then he said softly, 'Are you happy in the Infantry, Hendrick? You can resign, you know.'
Hendrick muttered something; Zim said, 'Speak up!'
I'm not itching to resign, sir. I'm going to sweat out my term.'
I see. Well, the question you asked is one that a sergeant isn't really qualified to answer . . . and one that you shouldn't ask me. You're supposed to know the answer before you join up. Or you should. Did your school have a course in History and Moral Philosophy?'
What? Sure--yes, sir.'
Then you've heard the answer. But I'll give you my own--unofficial--views on it. If you wanted to teach a baby a lesson, would you cuts its head off?'
Why . . . no, sir!'
Of course not. You'd paddle it. There can be circumstances when it's just as foolish to hit an enemy with an H-Bomb as it would be to spank a baby with an ax. War is not violence and killing, pure and simple; war is controlled violence, for a purpose. The purpose of war is to support your government's decisions by force. The purpose is never to kill the enemy just to be killing him . . . but to make him do what you want him to do. Not killing . . . but controlled and purposeful violence. But it's not your business or mine to decide the purpose of the control. It's never a soldier's business to decide when or where or how--or why--he fights; that belongs to the statesmen and the generals. The statesmen decide why and how much; the generals take it from there and tell us where and when and how. We supply the violence; other people--"older and wiser heads," as they say--supply the control. Which is as it should be. That's the best answer I can give you. If it doesn't satisfy you, I'll get you a chit to go talk to the regimental commander. If he can't convince you--then go home and be a civilian! Because in that case you will certainly never make a soldier.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 8:13 AM

2014-10-16T08:13:12-04:00

Combatant commanders (at the higher levels) have the ability to change and adapt ROE for their areas. All too often people get that wrong and automatically blame the politicians!!!

P.S. I am in no way defending politicians.

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Dec 17 at 2014 12:29 AM

2014-12-17T00:29:05-05:00

Politicians should not be allowed to control (at all) the conduct of war.
They should only give a suggested outcome, such as "eliminate the threat".
After that, the military should make all the decisions.

FYI, any political appointee is a politician, I am talking about people that actually served and earned a rank.

Response by SFC Charles S. made Apr 3 at 2015 8:54 PM

2015-04-03T20:54:02-04:00

I had to search for it but here is the ROE we were issued for Desert Shield and then Desert Storm. Draw your own conclusions. I hate that even back then we were bending over to Islam.