IRAQ: Talk the talk, walk the walk in Iraq

[Rangerdave]

Hello all.

After puttering around in the "US and Iraq" and "Congratulations Carter" threads, I have noticed that the majority of posters seem to be pro war against Iraq. This has raised a stray thought.

If this situation devolves into open warfare, how many of us could be called upon to serve if the draft is reinstated.

I think I've covered the bases fairly, let me know your ideas on the issue.

RD

[Ancalagon]

Unless the plan is to invade, should you not be seeking more pilots?

[Rangerdave]

Well.......
I was thinking along the lines of all five services. (well four and a half actually, the Coast Guard really doesn't count) In the above poll, I entended to include all military positions, cooks, mechanics, support, what-have-you. Not just the ground pounders.

But you raise an interesting point. The Air Force does play a major role in modern military doctrine, but it is not capable of completing a major engagement all on its own. Fighter Jets, Bombers, Missiles and other high tech toys are very good at clearing enemy troops and obsticles out of the way, but to truly win a war, the same method is needed to complete a victory today as it has throughout history. The simple fact of the matter is, until you have trrops on the ground that control the area, it still belongs to the other side. And as high tech as the US military has become, this ultimate responsibility still lies in the hands of the lowly dog-faced infantry man.

It remains to be seen if the American public is willing to have our boys "dug-in" in Iraq for the duration.

RD

[Gloer]

but in the army of a non-aligned nation: finland.

We just had a terror attack over here, unfortunately it was a local boy.

If it had been a foreigner we would have damn well bombed his homeland back to stoneages or at least the 1980's!

Come to think of it we might just start bombing the suburban area that was harbouring this terrorist. It would only be just and fair, right?

[Mindy_O_Lluin]

RD, you left me out. Female, non-combat, but war time veteran. (And retired from USAF Reserves.)

[Walter]

Actually I was hoping that in a forum like TTF there would be no place and no interest for a thread like this one...

[DGoeij]

I'm old enough to serve, but not planning to. The TV commercials are doing their best, but the Dutch military is not on my list of possible employers.
The Red Army won't be marching towards the Rhine anymore, and peace-keeping missions tend to be a farce, especially the ones where the Dutch government wishes to participate in.

[Legolam]

I would be old enough, but I would never volunteer

[Wolfshead]

I think I will have to begin offering my opinions on things, just for something to do...

I'm currently too young to enlist, and I don't think I will. At one stage, a year or two ago, I was seriously considering the RAF and more recently I was kinda looking-sideways at communications in the Army, you know, from that advert. But, I think I will only enlist my services if we get into a really major war, WWIII or something. And then, in the RAF. I think we don't really need to be encouraging the governments to go to war by enlisting, they'll think with so many people willing to join, they must attack someone...

[Ciryaher]

I could be on the Delayed Enlistment Program, but I changed my mind and will go into the ROTC in college before I go into the Air Force (if I decide that's what I want to do).

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Legolam
I would be old enough, but I would never volunteer

Same here.

[Anamatar IV]

i always thought that the US army was strong enough not to draft. Atleast I think thats what you meant by "called upon." Doesnt matter either way to me. In 5 years Saddam, Bin Laden, dead---no major wars to serve in...

[Eliot]

Hopefully...

[FREEDOM!]

Cmon people!

k
I am still too young but i am going too be a pilot for the USAF!

My great-great-grandfather flew B-17's during WWII! he never lost a man in his Squadron!!

I want to be just like him!!

WAR WAR WAR!!

Lets go!

[Eliot]

That's cool that your g-g-grandfather flew B-17s. It's too bad none of my grandpas did much in WWII.

My Moms Dad was an engineer in Europe (WWII) who built bridges, roads, etc. He passed away about 5 years ago.

My Dads Dad fought in the Pacific (WWII), and was injured in the battle of Saipan by a grenade. He is still alive.

[Ciryaher]

I am seriously considering going into the Air Force as a linguist, and therefore I won't be doing any killing (I'd prefer to prevent lives being lost than to cause them).

My grandfather worked for Messerschmidt after WWII and later for McDonnel-Douglas Aerospace (where he helped to design aircraft including the excellent F-4 Phantom). The military is a bit of a tradition in my family...my uncle was on a sub, my mother and father on the USS Lexington, my great-grandfather, my stepuncles, and various other relations. Still, unless there is a dire need for us to make war with another nation, I would only support it if it were of real need...unlike any impending war with Iraq, which would have no purpose.

[Eliot]

I also have a uncle that fought in Vietnam. My mom (It's her brother that fought) said he's never talked about it. I'm not really surprised about that.