Give War a Chance, by Major Paine

I was reading my other favorite blog - One Marine's View (found to the right) this morning and here's his lates post. Not only is it powerful, he's RIGHT!

June 04, 2007
Give War a Chance
American Forces Press Service May 22, 2007 WASHINGTON - Many Marines areconcerned that Americans aren't willing to invest enough time for success inIraq, the Corps' top officer said here yesterday.Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway told Pentagon reporters thatdefense officials must do a better job of communicating to the Americanpeople the cost of leaving Iraq too soon.
While Americans disagree on the reasons for going into Iraq, there is muchmore agreement on what would happen if coalition forces left beforeachieving success, Conway said.Americans have to understand that defeating an insurgency is a long-termproposition, he said."Historically, (defeating insurgents) has (taken) somewhere between nine and10 years, with various levels of effort," he said. "I think that there isless of an appetite in our country than we the military might think we needto sustain that kind of effort over that period of time."The general said coalition forces in Iraq see incremental daily progress."They want to be able to sustain that progress, because they want to be ableto succeed and come out with our credibility high and the credibility of theUnited States ... where it was when we went in," he said. "So in thatcontext, I think that our servicemen and women would wish for as much timeas it takes to do the job, realizing that incremental progress will one daytake us over the top."Conway, who has been commandant for about six months, said he is encouragedby coalition progress in Iraq's Anbar province."What we are seeing transpire in the al Anbar province today is a clear,discernible wedge between the Sunni tribes and the al Qaeda in Iraq," hesaid. "It has taken four years for these folks to realize that the al Qaedain Iraq could offer no more than a future filled with fear and instability."Tribal leaders and sheikhs in the Sunni province have thrown their lots inwith the Iraqi government. "Some very brave people have stepped up to speakout against al Qaeda and encourage their fellow tribesmen to work togethertoward an Iraq that is stable and at peace with its neighbors," Conway said."Now more than ever, it's imperative for the power of the (United States) tocontinue to support the people of Iraq economically, politically andmilitarily."Progress in Anbar province has been so great that it has changed strategy inthe region, Conway said. At one point, U.S. and Iraqi officials viewed thesituation in Anbar province as bleak and forecast that it would be the lastprovince to transition to Iraqi provincial control. "That has changed,"Conway said. "We now have Sunnis in large numbers joining the Iraqi army inthe al Anbar province. We have more Sunni tribesmen wanting to become policethan we have the opportunity to train on a monthly basis."As part of the military surge to quell violence, two battalions arescheduled to go to the province. "Any plus-up effort ... (is) in a very realsense reinforcing success," Conway said.The situation is so much better that the additional battalions may beshifted to other areas in the country, Conway said, adding that much of theprovince could fall under the control of the Iraqi police and army.Conway said he is pleased with moves to rush procurement of Mine ResistantAmbush Protected Vehicles, which are more effective than up-armored Humveesat withstanding the deadly effects of roadside bombs. "These vehicles willtruly have a positive impact on our ability to better protect our Marinesand sailors operating at the tip of the spear," the commandant said.Conway also reported on efforts to increase the size of the Marine Corps to202,000 personnel through 2011. Recruiters are doing a superb job in aconstrained environment, Conway said. He noted that growing casualty listshave made it tougher for recruiters to convince "influencers" -- parents,coaches, teachers etc. -- to encourage qualified young Americans to considerthe military.Surveys show that the propensity for all major ethnic groups in the UnitedStates to join the all-volunteer military is down. Still, Conway has taskedrecruiters with ensuring that the Marine Corps reflect the ethnic diversityof America, he said.