Far better to have declared that the "war" is over, but that the mission continues, and that that mission will indeed include combat operations.
We do not want to define our endstate as total peace with no combat going on, or we could be there another 10 years. Rather at that point where we have raised Iraqi capacity and reduced the threat to the point where they meet. Where our capacity is no longer required and we can step aside.
Granted, even then there may be some areas or certain periods where threats surge beyond Iraqi capacity, but that by an large they have it and there mission continues as well.
I think we cling to terms like "war" and "combat" in the military because our guys are out there doing hard, dangerous work and we want to get full credit. At some point you just have to be a quiet professional and realize not everyone is going to understand what you do, why you do it, or how dangerous it actually is. You just do it because its your mission and you understand that strategically its better not to oversell these things. It's only an IO seam if you make it one.
I hate to think about how many soldiers were killed in WWII doing "mop-up" operations after MacArthur had declared a place "secured."
Robert C. Jones
Intellectus Supra Scientia
(Understanding is more important than Knowledge)
"The modern COIN mindset is when one arrogantly goes to some foreign land and attempts to make those who live there a lesser version of one's self. The FID mindset is when one humbly goes to some foreign land and seeks first to understand, and then to help in some small way for those who live there to be the best version of their own self." Colonel Robert C. Jones, US Army Special Forces (Retired)
Tom,
Great to hear from you too. Our Brigade HQs is now co-located in the same building as the division HQs...some interesting dynamics there that's for sure! Not much as changed inside VBC from when you were here last although outside the wire lots has happened.
Bob, I agree with you with regards to your comment in World War Two. Excellent example.
"But the bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet withstanding, go out to meet it."
-Thucydides
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