Zinni Confirms that Army is "Near Broken"
By: Lowell
Published On: 4/16/2007 8:58:04 AM
From yesterday's Meet the Press:
MR. RUSSERT: Many have suggested that the Army is near broken because of the constant redeployments. Can we sustain the number of troops we have in Iraq for years to come?
GEN. ZINNI: No. You know, what's, what's shocking about all this, if you look at past wars, in, in three to four years into a war, we've had remarkable transformations of our military. Just think about World War II, where we were when Pearl Harbor was attacked, what our military looked like...
Although we've mouthed the words about this being a long war and a long struggle, the very forces that it places the greatest demand upon, our ground forces, our, our soldiers and Marines, we've seen no increase, no change, no adaptability on the battlefield. We're still confused about the enemy. We're, we're, we're stifled by the IED attacks and, and the problems we face. And, and these adjustments, over four years, have not been made. We have to ask ourselves why. What happened to transformation? Why was the design not right? What have we done to adjust? Our military, especially our Army and Marine Corps, are not going to be able to continue this kind of rotation. Traditionally you need three units for every one you have deployed. That's the ideal, in terms of training, reconstructing the unit, the kind of quality time, the quality of life and family time necessary to rebuild the unit before it goes out. We're down to almost one-to-one.
Let me guess what the flat-earth Bush Apologists will say. Hmmm, you think "Tony Zinni doesn't know what he's talking about" might be one of their lines? And Jim Webb? And top generals? And many experts on this issue? Where's the evidence that the army is NOT "near broken," because I haven't seen it reported anywhere.
Comments
Zinnin on whether he'll run for office (Lowell - 4/16/2007 9:00:25 AM)
MR. RUSSERT: Would you ever seek elective office?
GEN. ZINNI: No.
MR. RUSSERT: Never.
GEN. ZINNI: Never.
MR. RUSSERT: If someone said, "I want you to be my vice president"?
GEN. ZINNI: No.
MR. RUSSERT: That's it.
GEN. ZINNI: That's it.
Sure sounds like "NO" to me. Bummer.
Gen. Sheehan's op-ed in the Post (PM - 4/16/2007 10:50:44 AM)
http://www.washingto...
Gen. Sheehan has a full explanation as to why he did not accept the "military czar" position that I think also bear on the "broken military" discussion:
What I found in discussions with current and former members of this administration is that there is no agreed-upon strategic view of the Iraq problem or the region.
***
The Iraq invasion has created a real and existential crisis for nearly all Middle Eastern countries and created divisions among our traditional European allies, making cooperation on other issues more difficult. In the case of Iran, we have allowed Tehran to develop more policy options and tools than it had a few years ago.
***
I concluded that the current Washington decision-making process lacks a linkage to a broader view of the region and how the parts fit together strategically. We got it right during the early days of Afghanistan -- and then lost focus. We have never gotten it right in Iraq. For these reasons, I asked not to be considered for this important White House position. These huge shortcomings are not going to be resolved by the assignment of an additional individual to the White House staff. They need to be addressed before an implementation manager is brought on board.
I submit that it is time for even the flat earthers to come on board and admit the Bush Administration totally screwed up and we need to think long-term and preserve our military.
It should not be embarrassing to admit one is wrong. It is a sign of good critical thinking. The refusal to admit an error is, in fact, a highly alarming problem.
A few of the many things I've been wrong about:
Giving Bob Dole's campaign $500.
Thinking the Great Society programs would all work.
Thinking Carter mishandled the Iran situation in 1980.
Spending lots of time mastering baseball trivia.
Buying that third Chevy after the first two proved to be pieces of crap.
Okay, you're right about being wrong on some things, (Catzmaw - 4/17/2007 10:35:39 AM)
but mastering baseball trivia? How could you ever have been wrong to do that?
There's nothing inconsistent... (Detcord - 4/16/2007 11:28:26 PM)
...with what Tony Zinni said and the rest of us have said. We can't sustain the current optempo with the existing force levels. I agree with him. I hope we'll have your support in significantly adding more troops to the military.
BTW, you forgot to post this part of the interview:
MR. RUSSERT: The Democrats have proposed legislation which would set benchmarks or guidelines for the Iraqis to meet in terms of stepping up, but also a firm date for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Is that wise?
GEN. ZINNI: No.