It's the war of choice versus a war of survival issue. Again...
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Originally Posted by
JMA
This is why, I submit, you need specialised units and not just the run of the mill soldiers who signed up because the "good" jobs in civvie street were scarce at the time.
I'm not sure anyone here disagrees with the logic of that. The issue is UK and US political viability of so doing. That's what precludes it other than for a few small highly specialized units.
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Of course I have issues with rotating battalions in toto ... Now I'm sure you will come up with some reasons why this will not work either. ;)
Don't know about Red Rat but I will agree that it would work and would be an operational improvement, thus I cannot give you a reason it will not work -- I can give you a reason it will not happen: Service and domestic politics plus potential employments in or deployments to other theaters. Unlikely at this time but no Leader in either nation is willing to risk that it absolutely will not be required.
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Are you saying that military effectiveness begins to deteriorate beyond 9 months? Not sure I agree with that. What sort of R&R system would you propose for a 9 month tour? What do the US say, as they have both 9 months and a year tours?
In reverse order, the US Army has had one year tours (briefly 15 months), going to nine months (hopefully). The Marines and some SOF use seven month tours. The Marines and SOF do not get out of country R&R, the Army grants one two week leave, mid tour to anywhere the individual wishes to go.
The move to the nine month tour is desired to cut combat exposure time, move to a 9 month out / 18 month home regimen in the belief that for most troops (not all), such a regimen will aid in reducing combat stress, PTSD, family stress at home (a BIG item politically. A really big item...) and in aiding overall force retention plus readiness for other contingencies. Recall that for the UK and US world wide commitments are possible and must be catered for. Both nations have other things going on and Afghanistan is not the reason for existence of their armed forces. In fact, it is viewed as a major inconvenience rather than a pressing need. That has to do with the 'strategy' and the apparent strategic necessity -- or desirability... :wry:
As to a deterioration of military effectiveness at nine months, LINK, LINK. Aside from those links, conversations with people currently involved provide strong anecdotal agreement or corroboration. It's not a question of 'cannot do it' -- it's a question of best balance for the troops (and their families -- most are married nowadays; the divorce rate is worrisome to many politicians), for the nations in toto, potential other commitments, costs (all sorts) and, lastly, effectiveness. Noting for that last, rightly or wrongly, that acceptable as opposed to optimum is sought...
Oman campaign: coalition reading
davidbfpo's original
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present on the ground were: UK SAS, a large brigade-sized Imperial Iranian force, a Jordanian contingent, mercenary Baluchis from Pakistan made up a good part of the Omani Army and in the air were the RAF, Iranian AF and an Omani AF with a good number of Brits and Rhodesians on contracts.
From 1958-1978 a UK officer was the Omani Armed Forces No.2, a Brigadier Colin Maxwell and a UK loan officer was the Dhofar Brigadier, John Akehurst (who wrote a book 'We Won the War:The campaign in Oman 1965-1975). 'SAS Operation Oman' by Tony Jeapes is another book.
Which led to Jon's comment and question:
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Are these the best books on the subject of the Oman campaign? The only one I recall reading that mentioned Oman was one of Andy McNab's follow-ups, IIRC. I'd really like to sink teeth into something with depth, especially now that I have seen that Iranian and Baluchi Paks were involved. How that coalition was formed is of definite interest to me.
Jon,
It is twenty-five years since I read the two books and IIRC the coalition aspect was not well covered, as the focus was on the Omani effort and the UK role. I think the RUSI Journal had shorter articles. Later I will have a look around and perhaps our UK Army contributors can comment too.
Moderator's Note: a RFI thread has been started on the Oman campaign, so responses there please and this post has been copied over. later if I find other Oman posts those will be copied over too.