[Beetle01]

The plan that Colonel was implementing at the time was the only plan that was working. That's why Petraeus chose that strategy. Not because he had some flash of brilliance. The evidence was overwhelming. But without the extra troops the Military couldn't "CLear and HOLD". That's why they needed the extra troops. It's not a suge at all it's just clearing and holding the area around the Green Zone so they can have operational security to govern.

I wish Vundy33 was here to straighten all this out because apparently none of you have any knowledge about military strategy and how it actually works.

He has been "in country" for 3 tours now and I'm sure he will agree with 99% of what I'm saying here.

The Top Brass is usually a bunch of guys that Tommy Tent Peg loathes yet follows! The Top Brass hands down the orders that get young men killed. Often unnecessarily.

Have any of you read the book Generation Kill? If not, you should.

Like I said Petraeus chose the strategy fought for the troop increase and put his career on the line. the surge could have just as easily have failed if there would have been a major increase in casualties. We all know nothing and you know everything. Just because Vundy has been there doesn't mean he knows more about military strategy than some people spend their entire lives studying its entire history. I agree sometimes the top brass make decisions that get people killed. They make mistakes. Thats why its important to have great low ranking officers and top notch SSgts. They are the backbone, the guys who make split second decisions to save lives and accomplish the mission. Even the Romans knew that.