Some time back I admitted I was wrong in my opinion before the invasion.

But understand this, I'm not talking about the politics now. It’s far too late to debate that, we’re there, we’re far too inextricably involved to cut and run. Now we as a nation are committed to fixing the mess as best we can.

I’m am addressing the situation faced by soldiers on the ground. I have blood kin over there, and they talk to me, as an Uncle, Elder and a Vet.

Their equipment is worn out, if they have what they need at all. Half the time the orders coming down the COC are confusing, contradictory, and often makes little or no tactical or strategic sense. Morale is still in a decent condition, but it’s falling. More and more individuals are looking around and asking the very same question we did back then. “ Just what the hell are we doing?” and more importantly from a military standpoint, they’re asking each other “Are we doing more harm than good?” Many are wondering if there’s any kind of planning at all.

The average grunt isn’t concerned about politics, strategic goals, or foreign policy. They’re concerned with staying alive, and not killing people who are not shooting at them. The days of “Kill em all and let God sort em out” are long gone. I will stipulate there are a few, thankfully damned few, who feel that way these days. But the vast majority simply want to help ease the misery and suffering they see every single day. These are not dumb kids, the “New Army”, “Marine Corps”, ETC is made up of smart, educated people who are well aware of the world around them and the lessons of history. They serve from a sense of duty and honor. Not, as you point out, because a letter from the draft board hit their mailbox

I would have thought the lessons learned in Nam would have been better learned. I guess I was wrong.