- Reaction score
- 2,812
- Points
- 940
I heartilly agree that we shouldn't blindly toss away previous experience, but we do need to apply that knowledge judiciously.
I recall a camp Sgt-Maj in early SFOR who directed that these three-story bunkers be built at the main gate. Although they warmed the hearts of the Cyprus vets, they were completely irrelevant to the tactical situation on the ground. No one wearing the lead-Battle Group's capbadge would hear of stopping the project because the MWO "isn't some FNG." (Now if that isn't a rational response.... : )
So the interpreters, some of whom had obviously seen recent combat, chuckled over the Canadians' dopiness, several of us developed a better appreciation for the logic of Dien Bien Phu (hmmm....occupy the low-ground, then rely on false-courage rendered obsolete by the surrounding populations' 1st-generation RPGs)....and more through good luck than good management, the tour ended without harm.
So yes, seek the benefits of previous experience, but ensure you judge its' applicability. Respect has to be earned.
I recall a camp Sgt-Maj in early SFOR who directed that these three-story bunkers be built at the main gate. Although they warmed the hearts of the Cyprus vets, they were completely irrelevant to the tactical situation on the ground. No one wearing the lead-Battle Group's capbadge would hear of stopping the project because the MWO "isn't some FNG." (Now if that isn't a rational response.... : )
So the interpreters, some of whom had obviously seen recent combat, chuckled over the Canadians' dopiness, several of us developed a better appreciation for the logic of Dien Bien Phu (hmmm....occupy the low-ground, then rely on false-courage rendered obsolete by the surrounding populations' 1st-generation RPGs)....and more through good luck than good management, the tour ended without harm.
So yes, seek the benefits of previous experience, but ensure you judge its' applicability. Respect has to be earned.