thedrifter
08-02-06, 06:31 AM
An exerpt from Tom Rick's "Fiasco". The section quoted in the magazine features a discussion of Major General James Matthis and his Marines working Iraq in 2003-2004. I found these Matthis quotes interesting:
Rules to live by in Iraq: "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."
On net-centric warfare: "Computers by their nature are isolating. They build walls. The nature of war is immutable. You need trust and connection."
On killing: "The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event. That said, there are some *******s in the world that just need to be shot. There are hunters and there are victims. By your discipline, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim."
To Iraqi military leader: "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes, if you **** with me, I'll kill you all."
On 4th Gen Warfare: "Ultimately, a real understanding of history means we face nothing new under the sun. For all the '4th Generation of Warfare' intellectuals running around today saying that the nature of war has fundamentally changed, the tactics are wholly new, etc., I must respectfully say, 'Not really.' "
On the insurgency: "Both the insurgency and the militayr force are competing for the same thing: the support of the people."
On warfighting: "While learning from experience is good, learning from others' experiences is better."
Other Marine officer quotes: "I'm appalled at the current heavy-handed use of air and artillery in Iraq. I don't believe there is any viable use for artillery or JDAMs in the current environment. ... success in a counterinsurgency environment is based on winning popular support, not on blowing up peoples' houses." [After being constantly mortared at their base, the Marines brought their artillery back into country]
Army general officer rebuttal: "I don't think [the Marine's velvet glove approach] will prove as easy as it briefs... Some of this reflects a degree of intellectual smugness that might be warrented after, say, six successful months on the ground."
Ellie
Rules to live by in Iraq: "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."
On net-centric warfare: "Computers by their nature are isolating. They build walls. The nature of war is immutable. You need trust and connection."
On killing: "The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event. That said, there are some *******s in the world that just need to be shot. There are hunters and there are victims. By your discipline, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim."
To Iraqi military leader: "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes, if you **** with me, I'll kill you all."
On 4th Gen Warfare: "Ultimately, a real understanding of history means we face nothing new under the sun. For all the '4th Generation of Warfare' intellectuals running around today saying that the nature of war has fundamentally changed, the tactics are wholly new, etc., I must respectfully say, 'Not really.' "
On the insurgency: "Both the insurgency and the militayr force are competing for the same thing: the support of the people."
On warfighting: "While learning from experience is good, learning from others' experiences is better."
Other Marine officer quotes: "I'm appalled at the current heavy-handed use of air and artillery in Iraq. I don't believe there is any viable use for artillery or JDAMs in the current environment. ... success in a counterinsurgency environment is based on winning popular support, not on blowing up peoples' houses." [After being constantly mortared at their base, the Marines brought their artillery back into country]
Army general officer rebuttal: "I don't think [the Marine's velvet glove approach] will prove as easy as it briefs... Some of this reflects a degree of intellectual smugness that might be warrented after, say, six successful months on the ground."
Ellie