on a limited basis. That's the problem -- limits.
Quote Originally Posted by Fuchs View Post
...only if you expect them to be like they are.
Largely true; organisms evolve and in the process have strands of DNA, cells and bacteria that seemingly have no purpose or that once had a purpose that no longer exists. There will always be a cost for growth.
...If civilians can live off the land, so can soldiers (although foreigners may have problems till their bodies adapted).

Sure, army logisticians and generals would need to survive heart attacks in the process, but it's possible if your junior leadership is good enough.
Undoubtedly. I agree it's possible. The problem with which you are confronted is that the Mothers or other family of those who had "problems till their bodies adapted" would complain to their Legislative representatives that their Soldiers were not being properly supported. Those politicians would also be accosted by nervous Generals and apoplectic logisticians -- as well as disgruntled Contractors who contribute to political campaigns -- and would call a halt to your plan in about five seconds.
A 20% tooth + 80% tail force is a CHOICE - it is NOT A NECESSITY.
I agree -- and it is a political as much as a military choice.
Look at the stupidity of "pirate"-hunting with warships. The same could be done with some improvisation off some converted auxiliaries (including helicopter operations; a hangar is no technical miracle, after all!).
I'd go a step shorter and stop at 'Look at the stupidity of pirate hunting.' There are other, better solutions. Regrettably, money to do things comes in discrete pots and pot owners are often reluctant to share, so funds get expended to do things because Party A can afford it while Party B with a better method cannot afford to implement his solution.

One of the problems affecting your hypothesis is that any military structure today is going to have at least some investment in capital materiel. The Politicians like to see that stuff used in lieu of sitting, doing nothing.

Ideally, we could develop robotic armies that sat on a shelf, were activated when needed (and only when truly needed) and which could and would clone themselves to desired strength. Unfortunately, instead, we have people.

People design imperfect structures that take on a life of their own and they also play with the occasional use of inappropriate force where it is inappropriate and unappreciated...