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Ken--

I would like to believe you misinterpreted me.

The army of the 60's: I have just been told my combative posts have PO'ed 3 members in good standing of this board. You may have been in it...

Steve--

That was a poor choice on my behalf, so I apologize. There were plenty USAR officers who were very good, just like there were plenty RA's who weren't. My deepest apology.

RTK--

As...

First of all, Ken, you read the post wrong. I was not knocking the army or the military of today or of yesterday. I would never even consider doing that.

As for the military being smarter,...

Ah, yes! I remember those so-called "Ridgway" or "Castro" hats. The first year or so I was in the army, we wore them. What a nightmare! Then they were replaced by something sort of like a...

Jayhawker—

Back for another try!

I started out by complimenting you on your post and wondering how in heaven’s name anyone could survive a day with French communism!

Anyway, while I take...

Sorry, Jayhawker. I had answered your post, but it appears this darned system "whacked" it. It got lost when I hit the "submit" button. I will try again later.

Best wishes,
Fred.

Jayhawker—

I completely agree with your comment about Zinni versus Franks. Just thinking about it is enough to cause “shorter teeth syndrome.”

As for your second point, I think there are a...

You know, Norfolk, that's really interesting. I often wonder about that kind of thing. It was a different era and a different war. From what I am reading on these pages, even the organization...

Distiller--

That is extremely interesting. I do, however, want to make a small correction to your post. DePuy's combat service was done in the conscription era, but by the time of TRADOC, the...

Distiller--

I completely agree with you regarding the "lack of understanding" business. It seems to me we handled this a lot better in WWII than we have done since and I do not know if the...

Sam--

I know it well. My cardiologist, however, keeps telling me to avoid the beef, so rather than the burger, on my next foray to someplace good, I'll hoist a beer and wish you well.

Best...

Norfolk—

Thank you, as well. I wasn’t aware you were in one of the Commonwealth armies, so your points about this whole discussion are particularly interesting to me. Unfortunately, I am not...

Ken--

Thank you. I appreciate your kind words, especially considering your background and after reading so much of what you have posted here.

Best wishes,
Fred.

This is an extremely interesting discussion and I have only just now had some time to try to participate. I am a little confused, however, and I have either missed something (sorry!) or am not fully...

Unfortunately, I tend to agree. I would, however, like to get one last opinion. The Germans had a field marshal during WWII by the name of Ferdinand Schörner. I am reasonably sure Schörner made...

I cannot argue against either of your points... except...

If you want to wage a war, you better staff it properly or stay away. If you remember, the original plan for Iraq was the 3rd Inf. Div.,...

I am an advocate of the draft, but if you want a hot-button topic, that's the one to choose. Can you imagine this panty-waist Congress and the furor a draft proposal would stir? You'd have every...

I don't disagree with anything you have written here. I am not even averse to the so-called "world cop" role, when it is in the proper perspective and when it is necessary. Our participation in...

The problem with this comment is that it is correct. The bigger problem with it is every time I realize it, my eyes tear up.

You suffered through that long harrangue of mine, so bear with me for...

Boy, oh boy! is that ever the truth. The key, however, is your phrase, "too much."

Best wishes,
Fred.

I am sorry, but I am a newcomer to this thread, so I have not read everything posted. It is an extremely interesting debate, but I am not so sure there is a solution. The problem you seek to...

I completely agree, completely!

Incidentally, has anyone ever read the late Russell F. Weigley's book, Eisenhower's Lieutenants? (Or am I a day late and a dollar short, as usual?) If you...

I have always been led to believe that the two greatest American field or fighting generals of WWII were MacArthur (and subsequently into Korea) and Patton. MacArthur for his island-hopping strategy...

Norfolk--

DePuy was the most remarkable soldier I ever served with, and that includes George Joulwan, who was my CO when I was a young 1LT with the 1/30, 3rd Inf. Div., in Schweinfurt, Germany. ...

Norfolk--

While I don't necessarily agree with your rankings (probably because I never heard of many of the names you posted), that last paragraph-- above-- is as cogent a piece of analysis as I...