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thedrifter
12-04-05, 01:53 PM
Marine making his mark
Sunday, December 4, 2005 1:39 AM MS
Sierra Vista Herald

When Americans think of Marines, most will picture tough men and women who tell it like it is and make the impossible happen.

It’s an image that has lasted with the service through the many conflicts the nation’s leaders have sent that branch of the military to respond to.

For the first time a Marine heads our Joint Chiefs of Staff, which consists of the top leaders from each of the military branches.

And Gen. Peter Pace seems to have brought the Marine spirit to the job he began on Oct. 1.

In the past week, Pace has contradicted his boss in public and said that the U.S. military has done itself a “disservice” in communicating the level of readiness of Iraqi troops.

In speaking that way, we see a Marine who isn’t afraid to tell it like he sees it.

Previously, Pace differed with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on when American troops should intercede and stop abuse of prisoners by Iraqi security personnel.

During a press conference, Pace said troops should intercede immediately. Rumsfeld then told the media he believed that Pace meant to say the U.S. soldiers had to report the abuse, not stop it. But Pace stuck to his original statement.

“If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it,” the general said.

A day later, Pace was giving his first public speech as Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. During that speech, he said he believed the military is largely to blame for how the American public sees the status of Iraqi forces that would take over for U.S. troops.

Pace is new to his job, and there will be many more comments he will have to make. But, so far, we like his approach and his attitude.

We see a general who isn’t afraid to correct a politician, especially on the topic of prisoner abuse — a subject that the United States must continue to work on in the wake of Abu Ghraib.

In Pace, we see someone who isn’t afraid to admit a mistake and work to correct it, something some politicians might want to take note of.

We also see a general who knows what he wants the nation’s troops to do, and we believe it is the right move for U.S. troops to make.

Pace’s experience in Vietnam as a rifle platoon leader serves him well. He knows what it’s like for the troops overseas. He also knows what it is like on a battlefield.

Another note on Pace’s resume is that he served as deputy commander of Marine forces in Somalia from December 1992 to February 1993, and as deputy commander of the Joint Task Force there from October 1993 to March 1994. Again, he has experience from being “on the ground”, which we believe will be invaluable in tackling the obstacles he’ll have to lead the military forces in Iraq.

And as he leads, we hope he continues his say-it-like-he-sees-it approach. That kind of talk earns the trust of a nation and fosters leadership at a time when leadership is needed

Ellie

ggyoung
12-04-05, 05:44 PM
Sounds just like a good MARINE.