ing on how we see and run special operations ( and the military for that matter ). That is , we treat it as if it is one big “ Easy ” button . While citing images of the current debacle and the failed state of Yemen , Fussell warned that special operations and the military should be components of a grand strategy and not as the be-all and end-all .
Carrot vs . Stick : The Role of the State Department in Winning Wars
Dubbed as “ Phase Four ”, Huggins cites the importance of the State Department in the grand strategy of winning wars . Cautioning that unless we “ want to stay and occupy ” the challenges of reconstruction must be undertaken , and this is the unique ability of the State Department because “ killing is not the end to [ war ].”
While answering a question on the dismantling of the Iraqi Republican Guards , Huggins pointed out that this created a vacuum which opposition forces used to recruit now unemployed , penniless yet skilled soldiers to their fight on their behalf . Both Huggins and Fussell noted the very human element of conditions on the ground : people still want to be able to provide for their families . The State Department represents that human element , the arm that aids in restoring basic human normalcy .
Drones : Fad or The Future ? Central to this current evolutionary process is the role of drones . Huggins reassured that the military ’ s use of drones is not a cold , robotic process but instead still counts on human judgment ( and by the same token , error ) to “ make the decision .” Even in instances when a drone ’ s use is miscalculated , the effects of sending a platoon in its stead would still cause mass trauma to and at times the loss of civilians .
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Fussell explained that often we ascribe undue moral-ethical burden to the use of drones and the damages that result while in similar instances we are quick to excuse the damage caused by a platoon because we see it as simply humans defending themselves while drones are seen as “ too artificial intelligence like .”
A Military Evolving , Eventually
While evolution is not a place but a journey , the military has still not arrived at that place called “ equality ”, at least not gender equality . Fussell shared that currently , no woman has made it through basic selection ( success allows entry to the SEAL team ). He went on to admit , “ We want diversity to come into the force .”
Still on the topic of diversity , Fussell jokingly added that the current composition of the army would be useful in aiding with blending in with civilians only if “ we go to war with Norway .”
Not Your Good Ol ’ Jeffersonian Democracy While the military is employing its efforts to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing challenges on the battlefield and advancements in technology , the grand strategy for restoring a stable and secure homeland after a military operation is to recognize that the answer is not always Jeffersonian Democracy .
Afghanistan and Iraq contain very tribal cultures , village-centric . This does not necessarily translate to the division of the country . Indeed , there are many areas for collaboration – the suppression of al-Qaeda , impeding them from regaining a foothold is one area of commonality . These governments might not be the style of government we recognize , but it will be the style that works for the individual homeland .
The Way Forward The U . S . military is still the standard in modern warfare , retaining a competitive edge in multiple domains . While it remains as the helms of these “ aggressive senior leaders ” who are willing to push for the arduous task of changing , the military will evolve and adapt and continue to lead the free world .
Jim Huggins : Recently retired Lt . General Jim Huggins served in the U . S . military for 35 years in multiple capacities : Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division , Commander of NATO Forces in Afghanistan ’ s Regional Command South , Director of Operations for the Army and as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army on joint matters , National Security Council matters and the politico-military aspects of international affairs .
Christopher Fussell : Christopher Fussell Spent 15 years as an officer in the Navy SEALs with SEAL Teams 2 , 8 and Naval Special Warfare Development Group ( unofficially known as SEAL Team 6 ). He deployed multiple times to Iraq , Afghanistan , Yemen and other nations in the Central Command region . From 2007-2008 , he served as Aide-de-Camp to General Stanley McChrystal , then Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command . During his service , Fussell was heavily involved with counterterrorism operations , and worked extensively in the interagency arena .
Clint Sosa is a freelance writer , philanthropists , and former ambassador deeply enamored with the City of Houston and the smorgasbord of cultural and culinary adventures and the wonderful people who make it a paradise to call home .