Robert Heinlein's Militarist Utopia MOD CHALLENGE PAGE 4

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Internet VFW > Robert Heinlein's Militarist Utopia MOD CHALLENGE PAGE 4

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

That's where you go "As a veteran: You realize we all loving suck, right?"

Anyways, Fascism bad, never meet your heroes, veterans rights for all, etc.

# ¿ Sep 26, 2022 19:52

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# ¿ May 16, 2024 22:35

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

Force de Fappe posted:

gently caress you for your service

# ¿ Sep 27, 2022 00:21

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

Loden Taylor posted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVRtFQVK9mI

1st Shirt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxmswAiaJ-c

# ¿ Sep 27, 2022 13:52

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

Crab Dad posted:

I didn�t get to smoke pot in boot.

Well don't smoke it out of the boot for sure, that's gonna taste like rear end.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2022 16:55

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

Lemniscate Blue posted:

Don't smoke pot in your rear end either.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2022 17:01

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

CMD598 posted:

I don't like assuming we're "just better" because I feel like we're kinda just like rich assholes that can throw money around and pretend our success isn't dependent on a bunch of disgruntled junior enlisted not lighting it on fire at any given moment for some reason...probably healthcare.

Like our infantry's probably on point but will undoubtedly fare far worse when SN Timmy fucks up some maintenance that leaves the four decade old floating airstrip that's got the nearest supporting air assets dead in the water or worse because he's been awake for 3 days.

Its not that clear cut: Western Militaries (at least the United States) train intensively for combat operations and are encouraged to take action as necessary on their own especially the NCO corps. Russia and a lot of other countries effectively train as a show rather than training for combat. This is becoming more and more apparent in that even their most well trained units like the VDV are absolutely struggling in normal combat, paralyzed by inability to make decisions at the NCO level and their inability to take action without being worried about being punished for going against the rigid orders they are given.

# ¿ Feb 16, 2023 15:23

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

bulletsponge13 posted:

The Western force design is better for combat, period, for one reason: we cross train, and expect our guys to be able to perform the job responsibilities both one rank higher, and 2 lower. That means when we lose an NCO, the spot is typically filled instantly. A senior NCO can act in lieu of an Officer. A LT can act as a Captain. We instill and train that it should be reflex- we regularly 'kill' leadership in training exercises, sometimes appointing the lowest ranking man to then act as a Platoon commander.

The militaries mentioned, plainly put, don't. An Officer acting independently and out of grade ends their career. They aren't taught to step up, because stepping up reflects badly on your boss. Their military exercises reflect this, and their combat performance often proves it. In those militaries, anything that makes you look good will make your boss look bad, and rank promotion depends further on maintaining the system than maintaining the force. There isn't a single conflict in history where the two opposing systems conflicted, and the Western style didn't outperform. I know there is a massive budgetary aspect to the two, but even in the micro, the Soviet style (the basis for that system) have proven not as capable in combat as the Western alternative.

The control of knowledge is a big thing. The book Armies of Sand cover things like the Saudi Offciers confiscating all the documents and manuals- including the maintainence manual needed for basic operation- and refused to distribute them for fear the men would learn, and threaten his power. That is common in the militaries discussed- Russia operates in a similar manner. Besides the lack of logistics to train their guys, they have no desire to. The lower enlisted are fodder that require no knowledge beyond "That way and kill".

Compare that to the US military, where can Privates will briefed on the concept of maneuver and details of operations. We will often take lower enlisted into briefings covering an entire operation so that they can be plug and play if needed, and aware of the battle space.

Exactly. And it cannot be overemphasized: The US has a strong tradition of NCO leadership and a strong NCO corps. Russia, for example, has little to no NCOs.

# ¿ Feb 16, 2023 16:28

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# ¿ May 16, 2024 22:35

CommieGIR: Aug 22, 2006; The blue glow is a feature, not a bug; Pillbug

ASAPI posted:

We also have the magic sword of logistics.

American logistics have won wars and kept the troops happy/fed/supplied with Taco Bell in a warzone. We've seen what getting a random truck full of crap has done to Russian morale.

Very much this. You can go into any logistics center in the DOD and they'll tell you where it is, what row, what building without almost spooky precision including how to deliver it to you asap.

Russia seems to be just piling stuff in trucks and hoping it gets somewhere and not pillages before or after leaving the depot.

# ¿ Feb 16, 2023 21:34

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Internet VFW > Robert Heinlein's Militarist Utopia MOD CHALLENGE PAGE 4