McMaster on war (merged thread)

[wm]

I find these concluding lines of the piece to be the most compelling.

no matter how clearly one thinks, it is impossible to predict precisely the character of future conflict. The key is to come close enough to be able to adjust as new challenges to security emerge. (Mcmaster, H. R. (2008) 'On War: Lessons to be Learned', Survival, 50:1, 28)

The point made here is the need to be flexible. And flexibility applies as much to one's thinking as to one's force structure. Until reform of the "personnel manglement" systems inculcates a selection bias towards flexibility and innovation as character traits, I suspect we will continue to see material solutions and organizational structures that are as agile as 200 car freight train negotiating the Tehachapi Loop.

[RTK]

I think the elephant in the room on this is the FCS system of systems. Every time you see the word transformation in this paper think "FCS."

[William F. Owen]

I think the elephant in the room on this is the FCS system of systems. Every time you see the word transformation in this paper think "FCS."

OK, BUT do you mean or elephant like capability? Do we want to maximise our elephants or merely replicate their effect, but using grey mice with big noses?

[RTK]

OK, BUT do you mean or elephant like capability? Do we want to maximise our elephants or merely replicate their effect, but using grey mice with big noses?

No, I mean the FCS is based on a flawed premise. Not only that, it replicates nothing. It takes the Soldier out of the armored game and turns him into a technician. Hell, I can't even roll the damned vehicle with my head out of the hatch.

In short, it's a piece of sh!t.

[Ken White]

"Hell, I can't even roll the damned vehicle with my head out of the hatch."

in less than three days.

Not to worry. The budget cuts will thankfully kill it and we can spin off the good stuff. Works for me.

[Granite_State]

I think the elephant in the room on this is the FCS system of systems. Every time you see the word transformation in this paper think "FCS."

Was thinking the same thing. But I think that ship has already sailed.

[Steve Blair]

can we at least get his name right? It's McMaster, not McMasters. That last 's' doesn't belong.

Pet peeve of mine.

As for Anaconda...there was certainly enough blame/confusion/whatever to go around, but it also played into what the AF does not really want to do: CAS. They don't like it. Never have, no matter how much lip service it gets. We've had instructors here dismiss it as a waste of assets (and yes...I'm serious. And we're talking about O-5s instructing future AF officers). The Army messed up to be sure in a number of areas (some of which can be traced back to Franks, who is not high on my favorite 'leader' list), as Ken points out.