Where do you think our military stands today?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 19:18:54 -0400

Being known as the worlds greatest military, some would claim that our military is actually at our weakest point in history. I don't necessarily believe that to be true but what do you think?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 7:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 19:42:43 -0400

I think the U.S army had a decline but will be rebounding in a big way any year now.
Even at this point we still have one of the best military in the world

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 13 at 2014 10:46 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 22:46:18 -0400

We are a little worn out and frayed around the edges, but the ranks are full of combat veterans who are a proven quantity. I'd pit them up against anyone.

Response by SGM Wayne Barnes made Jun 14 at 2014 3:24 PM

SGM Wayne Barnes — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 15:24:39 -0400

Everything has changed since my military service

Response by SSG Mannix Brooks made Jun 14 at 2014 3:46 PM

SSG Mannix Brooks — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 15:46:05 -0400

Don't know what the Marines are doing but the latest plan the Army has with the promotion systems means they will be better educated NCOs going forward.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jun 14 at 2014 3:58 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 15:58:10 -0400

We are cleaning up mistakes that were allowed for the sake of a numbers game. The next trick is to clean up the cronyism and nepotism that has slipped into our organizations.
Military leadership with a focus on the security of the nation rather than their security in a post military career is an essential part of solving the problem.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 6:59 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:59:30 -0400

I don't believe the Military is weak. I do believe we have some leadership issues ( especially in the senior NCO corps) that need to be fixed. As a result of the wars, the Army quickly promoted Soldiers that were not ready to lead and mentor young troops. I have seen some seniors that should be in jail rather than be leading and developing disciplined solders.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Jun 14 at 2014 7:05 PM

Cpl Brett Wagner — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 19:05:46 -0400

Our military is a wreck but by no fault of our servicemen & women. I think our current troops are some of the best, smartest, well trained & motivated troops in our history. I believe the government all three branches, both parties have failed our military today. You all deserve much more pay, better benefits and much more respect. Please know that we the American people love and support you all and we are thankful for you.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 11:15 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 23:15:51 -0400

It depends on how "weak" is defined. Are we talking force strength; mental/physical aptitude; skin-thickness?

From a force strength perspective, we're going to see the pendulum start to swing the opposite direction from 12 years ago; it will be similar to the cuts the military went through at the end of Desert Storm and the Cold War. Without an active conflict or building crisis, the government will likely pare down the defense budget in favor of domestic spending. We'll see personnel cuts and probably some difficulty with readiness requirements on an institutional level, but that's about it.

As to mental and physical aptitude; I constantly hear how the incoming generation is so weak and coddled and entitled. I lead a shop of 16, half of which have a year or less in the AF, and only two of us have been in longer than 10 years. None of them are weak, coddled, or entitled. Some are better than others in varying areas, but none of them warrant having the quality of their service questioned based on when they were born.

Response by SGT Henry Sirignano made Jun 14 at 2014 11:25 PM

SGT Henry Sirignano — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 23:25:57 -0400

obama has ruined the country and lowered morale of all armewd forces cuz he is a jihadists amongst us

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 11:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 23:45:43 -0400

I couldn't pick one that I felt encompasses my opinion. I don't think we are in decline in so much as we are in transition. A lot of people came in either immediately after 9/11 or during the surge. They came in during a time when the money was flowing easy and the force was needed.

Now that we are transitioning back to a more "garrison" type military, things that were overlooked or were explained away now tend to take more of a center stage. I think we are still a force to be reckoned with no doubt.

I think more of senior leaders are driven by politics and getting that next promotion rather than concern for the force. We are still wasting billions on the F35 for what? Its useless. All that money being wasted could be redirected back into the budgets of the Armed Forces.

Plus listening to some of the younger troops they feel kinda betrayed. They enlisted some thinking they were gonna do the full ride, only to be told they are or possibly get the boot. I think in a few years barring any major catastrophes in the world (Iraq is still shaping) I think it will level out and we will see some normalcy. Well you guys will, my 20 is up and I retire next month.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2014 12:43 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:43:17 -0400

The military is at a weak point but we are still stronger than most other countries. We are currently at a weak point because of some decision that were made in order to fight the wars and gain an advantage in the budget. For example, the AF has been cutting people since 2002 in order increase funds in the modernization accounts. The Army on the other hand has allowed certain skills to go by the way side in order to fight the wars.
It will take a few years but I think we should become a much stronger force it will be a bit rough for those years.