If you could go back and change one piece of military history, what would it be and why?

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 23:38:40 -0400

I have spoken with many different Soldiers over my career and many often say, "I wish they never bombed us on American soil with Pearl Harbor", or, "I would of never let Hitler get so powerful". Well, what would you have done differently if you were in a position to do so? If you could alter history in one particular battle, war or event, what would it be?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 12:15 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 00:15:51 -0400

I wish the US Congress had not kicked the legs out from under the Government of South Vietnam by withdrawing the financial, supply, and equipment resources we promised to continue providing under the policy of Vietnamization in the South East Asia campaign.

If it were not for this one fatal mistake the outcome would have been very different and we would not have developed a reputation for bagging out on our promises of critical support.

This was a critical turning point in world history, self perception, and international respect.

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 30 at 2014 12:25 AM

SGT James Elphick — Fri, 30 May 2014 00:25:12 -0400

I would not have provided military aid and support to the Soviet Union during World War II and hopefully would have avoided the Cold War. The Germans and Russians were going to go at it hard and it's likely the Germans would have eventually won but only at a great cost. I believe this would have still allowed the allies to conduct the war as they did anyway.

Response by CPL Paul Burke made May 30 at 2014 12:38 AM

CPL Paul Burke — Fri, 30 May 2014 00:38:08 -0400

The use of fat man and little boy on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was the only use of high yield weapons on another country in history, resulting in mixed views toward the United States, and the future of warfare was changed.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 30 at 2014 12:40 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Fri, 30 May 2014 00:40:48 -0400

I agree with LT. Annala, we let politicians run the war in Vietnam instead of those with boots on the ground. When we pulled out, because of political cowardice, civilian pressure, and stunts like Hanoi Jane pulled during the war we may have finished the fight. We had defeated the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong during the Tet Offensive, and at that point they were almost completely defeated, had we been allowed to fight the war would have been won and there would be a South Vietnam today. Our soldiers fighting in Vietnam fought hard to take ground only to have to give it back in short order. Bombing of North Vietnam was started and stopped so many times in an effort to force negotiations for "peace" by the North that it became a joke. All of the pain and suffering of the POW's in the Hanoi Hilton and other camps at the hands of their captors should never been allowed to happen. The raid at the Son Tay POW camp could have been repeated in Hanoi if training and provisions would have been provided. The cowardly politicians in DC pulled us out in a "Peace with honor" treaty that was pure BS. If I could change anything it would be the finale to that war to be able to say that those who died did not die in vain.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 1:12 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 01:12:42 -0400

Today is the 148th anniversary of the death of Lt. Gen Winifield Scott who was ordered by President Andrew Jackson to effect the expulsion of Cherokee Indians from Georgia. I would change this particular aspect of our military history.

I would also like to go back to Novembr 30, 1864 and slap the **** out of Gen. John Bell Hood in order to prevent the useless deaths suffered at the Battle of Franklin, TN.

If I could go back to Gettysburg I would insist that Lt. Gen Ewell assault and capture Culp's hill July 1, and ensure that Lt. Gen. Longstreet's march was expedited to ensure he was able to reach the Round Tops before reinforcements arrived.

For that matter, I would like to go back to Charleston in April, 1861, pull General P. G. T. Beauregard aside and say "Dude, Lincoln WANTS you to shell Sumter."

I would like to go back and find the genius who suggested we could spend our way to victory in Afghanistan and throttle him.

I would reverse the uniform decisions of the 21st century and return the army to the pinks and greens of WWII.

I would send a terminator back in time to kill the inventor of powerpoint.

I would go back in time and patent the PT belt.

I would make the Air Force fall in love with the A-10.

I would return the miniature Tabasco sauce bottles to MREs.

so many possibilities...

Response by MSG Martinis Butler made May 30 at 2014 7:20 AM

MSG Martinis Butler — Fri, 30 May 2014 07:20:50 -0400

One thing I would definitely change would be the way VA benefits are handled. I believe that it started off as a cluster, so that's why it has remained such a drastically confusing process to get veterans the proper assistance needed. I would look into coming up with a plan that would benefit everyone that has served honorably.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 4:16 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 16:16:00 -0400

Well, I may tingle a nerve, but, I truly think that when we captured Saddam in 2003, we should of come on home and possibly saved 10 years of repetition in IRAQ. Now I know the Government was screaming, terrorists, terrorists, but the thorn in our side at the time was a different man and in a different location. We could of focused on smaller scale efforts similar to the way we do it now and might not of lost as many people. I just would of loved to go back and see what the outcome would of been if we pulled that dictator out of that hole and then said, Peace Out! Nice doing business with ya!