What was the last war/conflict that the U.S. military played a major role in that you consider to be an overall victory?

SPC Charles Osmun — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 15:23:44 -0400

I'm want to know what the last war/conflict other vets feel the U.S. can say was a true victory. My opinion is that the U.S. hasn't had a true a decisive victory since WW2. In WW2 basically we invaded the enemies lands, destroyed their will/ability to fight and then posted up as kind of a warning saying 'Don't screw up again, if you do we're already here and will jack you up from the inside out.'

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Aug 7 at 2017 3:31 PM

SSG Dave Johnston — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 15:31:40 -0400

Kosovo, Balkans, former Yugoslavia. Even though "Desert Storm" did its' stated purpose, we. the United States returned the same region under the press's idea that we had "unfinished" business in the region.

Response by SPC Charles Osmun made Aug 8 at 2017 12:53 AM

SPC Charles Osmun — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 00:53:36 -0400

SSG Johnston I'm not disagreeing but aren't those regions still pretty unstable? I was still just a kid back then so I really don't know what happened but as far as I know everywhere you mentioned is currently in a state of unrest to say the least. It seems to me that if the reason you send your military into an area is to bring peace and stability then the mission isn't complete until long peace is achieved and the area is stable without fear of another conflict in the near (20 to 30 year) future. I believe that the first time it was suggested that troops try to "Win hearts and minds" that our military lost a massive amount of power. When started caring more about the feelings of the locals than getting the job done we started losing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2017 1:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 13:55:40 -0400

Bosnia and Herzegovina , we don't hear much about that place anymore, seems to be quiet over there now.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 10:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:48:04 -0400

Bosnia and Herzegovina if you count our jobs as peacekeepers over there. Very few US units, aside from the Air Force, really saw much action over there.
The First Gulf War on the other hand was a major combat operation that saw major combat for all branches and was an enormous victory for the US. We defeated what was at the time the world's fourth largest military in about a month and a half of total combat, and only 100 hours of ground combat.