The Soldiers Creed/Warriors Ethos and the war crimes of the War on Terror

Link

I have seen a number of post on ATS which are discussing the issue of cruelty and atrocities at the hand of US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during the War on Terror campaign. British journalist, Robert Fisk, who has spent many years located in the Middle East discusses in this YouTube video what he sees as a govermental led policy of changing the mind set of troops to be more focused on the willingness to win at ALL COSTs.

Have a look and I await you opinions as I feel that this man has many valid points on this issue.

[edit on 10-1-2010 by The_Archangel]

[edit on 10-1-2010 by The_Archangel]

[edit on 10-1-2010 by The_Archangel]

[edit on 10-1-2010 by The_Archangel]

Video is not showing up, you need to go back and put in the video number so we can actually watch said video.
kthxbye

Sorry about that. Problems with the link but should be good now

I watched the first five minutes and got the gist of it.

The "warriorization" of the Army has been wholesale, and is indicative of the sea change in doctrine that is best summed up in FM 3-24, the COunter INsurgency (COIN) Manual.

The Warrior Creed v.s. Soldier's Creed
Warrior Task Training v.s. Common Task Training
Warrior Leadership Course v.s. Primary Leadership Course
Not the cause of atrocities, merely symptoms of disease.

The Army has struggled to adapt to new threats and operational environments, under tremendous pressure and unknowns from the perceived threat of terrorism. The Army is performing both military and civil functions, and consequently struggling to do either well. Training is still at least 20 years behind the times.

The NCO corps is not what is used to be. Conditional promotions, shortened or waived NCO courses, and a system of automatic promotion to E-4 has had a terrible effect on discipline and general competence. Field-craft is nearly non-existent outside the toughest infantry and scout units. Your uniform cannot be pressed and starched. Privates don't even shine boots anymore; your boots are suede and can't be polished. Drill sergeants can't call them dirty names, or "stress" them out. The Army has been weakened by the touchy-feely, politically correct, self-esteem generation of politicians and leaders.


Our President presented the idea of "just violence" in his Nobel acceptance speech, justified by the self-evident fact that negotiations wouldn't have stopped the Nazi's and won't stop Al Qaeda (not that anyone has sincerely considered this option). It points to a greater conflict in America's thinking when it comes to the Good War and the Soldier as Hero, and its ambivalence in an ongoing conflict that is defined by the ineffability of the Enemy.

Soldiering is a lot more confusing than it used to be.

This is an amazing lecture that transcends political divides. He is right, the media never asked "why"? If they did, they were were called antisemetic or unpatriotic.
He addresses the lack of a plan post-occupation, the lack of understanding of the Arab culture, and how one is the reason for the other.
I think everyone can appreaciate how he tears into the media of today. How they just "tow the party line", as it were, working tirelessly to appease for fear of ridicule.
"We must leave, we will leave, and we can't leave"
He even predicts what the media will be saying when we do leave. "we tried, but they didn't want it, but we're still ok"
Personally I don't see how the media has any credibility anymore, and neither does this guy.
snf.


[edit on 11-1-2010 by heyo]

reply to post by heyo


Fisks remarks about lazy journalsim are spot on from my experiance. The kudos of being in favour with White House/DoD/Military officials distorts their objectivity remembering that many of the young hacks on the pay roll areeither interns or young guns earning their spurs in a theatre that many of the seasoned writers and journos shy away from.

Fisk's book, The Great War for Civilization: The Conquest of the Middle East is a great book.

I would recommend it.

I will watch you the youtube videos when i get a chance.

I agree and here is a link to Fisk's social commentary archive from his section in The Independent. Enjoy

The Independent