In The Desert Heat, by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross writes about the oppressive summer heat in Iraq (a la the 130 to 140 degree variety),
This kind of heat allows virtually no time for the body to recover, as it takes a constant physical toll. It's necessarily to drink water constantly throughout the day (one quart per hour is recommended) because dehydration can sneak up on you. Add to that the soldiers' typical work schedules. Many of the men I've spoken with typically work 12 to 14 hours a day.
and,
The toll that our soldiers face on the battlefield raises an obvious question: is this war breaking our military? A future post will broach that topic. For now, my purpose is not to get into policy issues. Rather, I write this blog entry to highlight the extraordinary sacrifices our soldiers are making. Seeing it first-hand makes it all the more impressive. (emphasis added)
In the small community of Lompoc, California, the city fathers are lamenting over the fact that their recent implementation of WiFi, throughout the city, has not taken off as planned. Unfortunately for them, the new technology is, essentially, already outdated as cable and telephone companies now offer better equipment and service.
Technology forcing a change.
Our engagement in Iraq is unlike anything we've ever faced. Comparisons to Vietnam are nonsensical. Anyone old enough to remember Vietnam should realize that. If you're not old enough to remember Vietnam, then do some basic research. Comparisons to World War II, in terms of length of engagement, are similarly nonsensical.
We are in a different type of war, facing a different type of enemy, using different types of tactics, with different types of weapons.
Technology is dynamic. Technology waits for no one. Technology does not care about the way it's always been done.
We need to change our tactics.
Update: The Belmont Club discusses this issue in Re-configuring to fight Terrorism. From Wretchard,
I think history will judge the decision to go after the enemy in Afghanistan and Iraq as fundamentally correct because it compelled a direct contact between the opposing forces. And as is so often forgotten, one of the principal outputs of combat, aside from losses on both sides, is information. Information about how the enemy acts; his strengths and weaknesses. Information about how our own forces perform; its strengths and weaknesses. Information we would never have gotten without going after them bare-headed. The enemy has long been at war with us, watching and waiting; learning and scheming. Only lately have we declared ourselves against them -- and even so, with qualification. In Afghanistan and Iraq and in theaters all over the world we have at last begun to learn how to fight them. There's a long way to go, but the principal decision -- to take to the highway -- has been made.
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