America's Army: 237 years old today

The Army created the Nation

America’s Army is 237 years old.  Recently, I  supported the Army’s “Unified Quest 2012″ future wargame at Carlisle Barracks, PA.  The wargame took place in 2020.    Press reports included the usual drivel that the Army was trying to find its rationale.  Or searched for  its place in the post-Iraq and Afghanistan world.  Or justify its existence since all the Defense professional wags are agog over Air-Sea Battle.   The chattering class gets that way.

The Army officers I worked with didn’t seem confused as to their role in 2020 and beyond.   They know the politicians are going to cut their funding, but that is it.   They don’t know how badly and for how long.   They don’t know what the cost, a very unnecessary price, will be paid in blood and treasure when the Army is too small or too ill supplied in a future conflict.   But, they know what the Army does.

The Army conducts ALL PROMPT AND SUSTAINED OPERATIONS ON LAND (from Title X of the US Code).

The Army is the master of Land Warfare.

The Army wins the Nation’s wars – decisively – when they are ordered to win.

The Army insures the survival of the Republic.  The politicians may destroy the Republic by shredding the Constitution, but the Army will make sure there is a Government of the United States (GOTUS) for another day – if the politicians care to correct their errors.

Furthermore, the politicians may destroy American military power by bankrupting the country or unfunding the Army.  Today, the Army is 73  Brigade Combat Teams on active duty (includes called up Reserve units) .   Barry Soetero is cutting the Army from 569k to 495k.  The politicians are cutting the most important part of the Army – experienced soldiers.  The politicians are cutting the most dangerous weapon system in Land Warfare – the Army soldier.

As enemies count down the number of Brigade Combat Teams there is a direct correlation as the US goes from being an Uber Super Power, to Super Power, to World Power, and down to Regional Power.  So, it goes.

The Army is being cut back to where it was before the Korean War in 1950.  The Marines won’t go back to their 1950 numbers because they are much, much better at politics.  The NRA, AARP and USMC are the political lobbies one does NOT challenge in Washington.

America’s Army will continue to serve as the National Servant.  As it has since The Army created the Nation in our Revolution.  The Army and the People will pay the price for political folly some day in the future.   In the meantime, the Army will do its best to prepare for future conflicts – for America’s Next First Battle.

The Army can do no less.  “This We’ll Defend.”

Duty, Honor, Country.

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