Iraq outposts plan may be flawed (Says Troops)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: LA Times

The neighborhood outposts that the U.S. military launched with great fanfare in Baghdad early this year were supposed to put more American patrols on the streets and make residents feel safer. But some soldiers stationed at the posts and Iraqis who live nearby say they are doing the opposite.

The outposts, along with joint U.S.-Iraqi security stations, form a cornerstone of the current Iraq strategy. Following a classic counterinsurgency tenet, military planners are trying to take U.S. forces out of their distant, sprawling military bases and into the day-to-day lives of Iraqis.

Although senior U.S. commanders and mid-level officers say they believe the bases are starting to work, many soldiers stationed at the outposts are doubtful, arguing that the burden of protecting the bases means they spend less time on the streets.

"They say we are spending more time 'in sector,' which we are doing — we live here," said Spc. Tyrone Richardson, 24, a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, that operates in the east Baghdad neighborhood of Ubaidi, outside Sadr City. "But we aren't spending the time patrolling."



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-outpost8jul08,0,1273234.story?coll=la-home-center

[IndianaGreen]

1. Those outposts were Gen. Petraeus' hare-brained idea

The Westmoreland wannabe came up with the "surge" idea which included the outposts. The Left pointed out the idiocy of the concept, saying that troops would be exposed to insurgents, and to be betrayed by the Iraqi troops and police they were working with. The Left was ignored, and Petraeus was hailed as a military genious.

Over 3,600 dead GIs thanks to all the military geniuses we have.

[ixion]

2. someone should remind the military brass that having people standing around

their neighborhood with loaded automatic weapons generally does not evoke the 'safe' response from civilians. Rather, it puts them on edge.

There's ample precedent for this. You'd think someone who had studied military warfare philosophy would be aware of that. :eyes:

[0007]

3. During my Korean stint, we use to sing...

There's a soldier in the grass
with his finger up his ass

Pull it pull it out
Uncle Sam put it there

[ckramer]

4. Outposts are as good as the locals are on your side

Did the military people forget about all the lessons from Vietnam?

[Edweird]

5. Anytime you see "Iraq" and "plan" in the same sentence, bushco is about to screw up.

These guys couldn't plan 6 o'clock at 5:30.

[bemildred]

6. It was stupid to begin with.

Political dissembling never solves military debacles.