The individual wolf is a formidable creature. The wolf pack is far more formidable than the sum of the individual wolves. To analyze individual weapons platforms in a stand alone capacity is the height of intellectual dishonesty. The introduction of a single weapon system is not critical. Systems of multiple, supporting weaponry operating in synergy have, and always will prevail when under the command of a talented leader.
The most fearsome Great White Sharks are no match for a Killer Whale Pod. It is exceedingly frustrating to see senior leaders tout a weapons system as either on
Obsolete or a game changer. As no plan survives contact with the enemy no single platform working in synergy with others becomes obsolete if properly utilized intelligently at the right place, at the right time, the right way. The often overlooked factor the amateur reformers fail to mention is Mass. DOD persistently dismisses mass while seeking technological solutions that should additive and not a substitute. Often forgotten is that the Battle of the Bulge had four elements one of which was the exhausted Luftwaffe attack on allied airfields in Belgium and Northeastern France. Over a five day period they destroyed or heavily damaged over 450 allied aircraft. While those attacks eventually proved to be futile, it was allied mass that made them so. Ninjas, commandos, disrupters, wonder weapons, eyes and ears, niche weapons do not win wars. We should remember that the 300 Spartans bought time.
I concur in Tom Huber’s observation. We must not be misled to think we can divine China’s INTENT, although a misstep is easy to do. But, what we can do is size up China’s CAPABILITY for aggressive military behavior, and prepare to deal with that. In 2004, I did a Staff Ride of the Defenses of San Francisco focusing on the entry to the SF Bay. At all stations (mainly coastal artillery), the Park Service had erected placards detailing which country in specific time periods possessed Naval power sufficient to invade: Japan, Russia, Germany, Great Britain all appeared on those lists. So, military history should teach us that when & if China (or whoever) takes taking over other peoples lands, somebody is going to be asked to take ‘em back. Enter the new & robust MAGTF! Semper Fidelis!
"This Ninja theory argues that the Marine Corps needs to discard amphibious ships, discard combined arms, crisis response, discard amphibious assaults, and discard massed ground assaults of any kind. Where the Marine Corps once went into battle with robust units built around infantry, armor, air, and artillery, now, by using the Ninja theory, all the Marine Corps needs is a bunch of cyber, a few missiles, and some special operators."
Premeditatio Malorum is the Stoic philosophy of visualizing the worst of things, and preparing accordingly. Translated as 'Prepare for all evils,' it does not include, or exclude specific evils--for reasons that should be obvious. If preparations are based on what is reasonably expected, the outcome should be reasonably obvious. All the enemy need do is the unexpected, and their chance of victory climbs accordingly.
The individual wolf is a formidable creature. The wolf pack is far more formidable than the sum of the individual wolves. To analyze individual weapons platforms in a stand alone capacity is the height of intellectual dishonesty. The introduction of a single weapon system is not critical. Systems of multiple, supporting weaponry operating in synergy have, and always will prevail when under the command of a talented leader.
The most fearsome Great White Sharks are no match for a Killer Whale Pod. It is exceedingly frustrating to see senior leaders tout a weapons system as either on
Obsolete or a game changer. As no plan survives contact with the enemy no single platform working in synergy with others becomes obsolete if properly utilized intelligently at the right place, at the right time, the right way. The often overlooked factor the amateur reformers fail to mention is Mass. DOD persistently dismisses mass while seeking technological solutions that should additive and not a substitute. Often forgotten is that the Battle of the Bulge had four elements one of which was the exhausted Luftwaffe attack on allied airfields in Belgium and Northeastern France. Over a five day period they destroyed or heavily damaged over 450 allied aircraft. While those attacks eventually proved to be futile, it was allied mass that made them so. Ninjas, commandos, disrupters, wonder weapons, eyes and ears, niche weapons do not win wars. We should remember that the 300 Spartans bought time.
“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
- Mike Tyson
Philippine Sea today, Pearl Harbor-San Diego tomorrow.
I concur in Tom Huber’s observation. We must not be misled to think we can divine China’s INTENT, although a misstep is easy to do. But, what we can do is size up China’s CAPABILITY for aggressive military behavior, and prepare to deal with that. In 2004, I did a Staff Ride of the Defenses of San Francisco focusing on the entry to the SF Bay. At all stations (mainly coastal artillery), the Park Service had erected placards detailing which country in specific time periods possessed Naval power sufficient to invade: Japan, Russia, Germany, Great Britain all appeared on those lists. So, military history should teach us that when & if China (or whoever) takes taking over other peoples lands, somebody is going to be asked to take ‘em back. Enter the new & robust MAGTF! Semper Fidelis!
"This Ninja theory argues that the Marine Corps needs to discard amphibious ships, discard combined arms, crisis response, discard amphibious assaults, and discard massed ground assaults of any kind. Where the Marine Corps once went into battle with robust units built around infantry, armor, air, and artillery, now, by using the Ninja theory, all the Marine Corps needs is a bunch of cyber, a few missiles, and some special operators."
lol...WELL SAID!
If the Marine Corps gives up the ARG/MEU, what force will do crisis response? It won't be the Navy, Army, or Air Force. They'll be busy sinking ships!
Premeditatio Malorum is the Stoic philosophy of visualizing the worst of things, and preparing accordingly. Translated as 'Prepare for all evils,' it does not include, or exclude specific evils--for reasons that should be obvious. If preparations are based on what is reasonably expected, the outcome should be reasonably obvious. All the enemy need do is the unexpected, and their chance of victory climbs accordingly.