Do we have enough ground forces in our military?

[G-Mac]

Just a thought...are we spread so thin already in the Middle East that we couldn't take care of business elsewhere should a situation arise?

What if we had to deal with North Korea?

Does the rest of the world think that we are weak right now?

 

[Spotteddog]

The only thing that currently is matter of concern, is whether or not there are enough to keep it's own citizenry in check?
Push comes to shove, the funnel of Korea's DMZ could be erased from the planet and the peninsula amputated in about 20 minutes, less if done by submarine.

 

[Iggy]

I think Spotteddog has it.

After they get us disarmed, then they can deal with the infidels and their nuclear toys.

 

[GatorFarmer]

South Korea has their own armed forces that are rather numerous and fairly well equipped. Japan also has modern forces.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

South Korean troops served in Vietnam, Charlie
soon learned not to tangle with them. The Korean
Military Academy is patterned after West Point right down to the cadets uniforms, the Korean
Marines take their inspiration from the USMC. The population of North Korea has suffered from hunger and near starvation in recent years and I don't think there will be any Chinese "volunteers" to bail out the "Dear Leader" if things go badly.
US ground forces have been maintained in Korea to show Allied solidarity and to serve as a tripwire.

 

[Herknav]

Based on the fact that the Army is still borrowing sailors and airmen to do Army jobs, I would say the answer is, "No."

 

[ChuckS1]

The rest of the world doesn't think we are weak; they know we are weak. This President doesn't have the will to do anything to stop the North Koreans or the Chinese, for that matter. The North Koreans can come across the DMZ anytime they want. The US forces there are just a speedbump and the ROKs will put up a fight, but in the end, would be overrun. Technology aside, there are just too many of them and too few forces to respond decisively, short of nukes. You honestly think Obama would use them?

All in all, this is a sad time for America.

 

[BOB THE PALINDROME]

I would hope that we would use McArthur's solution.

 

[Gun-runner]

Originally posted by BLACKHAWKNJ:
South Korean troops served in Vietnam, Charlie
soon learned not to tangle with them.

Yep they are not to be messed with. I remember reading a book where an SOG camp was waiting for some ROK Marine re-enforcements and when they showed up they were all carrying something. From a distance they couldn't tell what it was. When they got closer it turned out to be V.C heads.

 

[arkypete]

Consider this, if the military is occupied off shore that put a crimp in any plans the current administration has about using them for controlling the population.

Jim

 

[n4zov]

are we spread so thin already in the Middle East that we couldn't take care of business elsewhere should a situation arise?

I am no expert, but my impression is that we are spread very thin, and that a large deployment of ground forces would be impossible. The troops and equipment are simply not available. Remember that our current military doctrine already uses much of our reserve force in an active duty role.

As for the ROK troops, they are more than capable of taking care of business. When I was on active duty, we trained foreign military troops from virtually all of our S.E. Asian and European allies plus U.S. Marines. ROK Army soldiers were far and away the sharpest, toughest, and most disciplined of the bunch.

 

[rayb]

How many ground based military personnel we have is immaterial if we have no will to use them

rayb

 

[Texas Star]

Even the liberal media exploits the fact that we are spread thin in their anti-war TV programming. Far too many serve more than their time in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We need the draft again, I suspect. North Korea, Iran, and Russia may all test our ability to stand strong...even if Obama could be motivated to do it.

And we need troops on our southern border. But the Posse Commitatus (sp?) Act would prevent their use.

T-Star

 

[Texas Star]

Originally posted by n4zov:

are we spread so thin already in the Middle East that we couldn't take care of business elsewhere should a situation arise?

I am no expert, but my impression is that we are spread very thin, and that a large deployment of ground forces would be impossible. The troops and equipment are simply not available. Remember that our current military doctrine already uses much of our reserve force in an active duty role.

As for the ROK troops, they are more than capable of taking care of business. When I was on active duty, we trained foreign military troops from virtually all of our S.E. Asian and European allies plus U.S. Marines. ROK Army soldiers were far and away the sharpest, toughest, and most disciplined of the bunch.

Did you train any Australians? They also had an excellent reputation in Vietnam, and were far less corrupt than the ROK's.

It also bothers me that the Japs used Koreans to guard their WW II prison camps, because of their known and extreme cruelty.

I once had an encounter with a Korean janitor who I thought I'd have to shoot. They sometimes bring their people here and work them really hard in menial jobs. By and large, I don't like them. But I don't want North Korea to conquer them, either.

T-Star

 

[RobO]

Well Gordy, if it came down to defending our homeland soil, I'll share a foxhole with you. If it is wide enough!

 

[G-Mac]

Originally posted by RobO:
Well Gordy, if it came down to defending our homeland soil, I'll share a foxhole with you. If it is wide enough!

Good one, Rob!

 

[n4zov]

Did you train any Australians? They also had an excellent reputation in Vietnam, and were far less corrupt than the ROK's.

No, we didn't train Australians, but I can vouch for the fact that ROK troops were dealt with very harshly by their officers. We had one ROK PFC who created a minor problem in class that resulted in a call to his ROK liaison officer. The liaison officer was a major, and he stormed into class after getting the call and literally beat the crap out of the PFC on the spot. He used a short club to knock him down and then kicked and stomped him unconscious. He had two other students carry him out and that was the last we saw of the PFC. I don't know if he shipped him back to Korea or dropped him in the Tennessee River but we never called again about a problem with a student.

 

[rayb]

..., but I can vouch for the fact that ROK troops were dealt with very harshly by their officers. ......

In a previous life I lived with a ROK Recon Battalion for a while. It wasn't just the officers who would beat the troops. That said, they were tough, disciplined soldiers.
rayb

 

[pplsearch]

The rest of the world doesn't think we are weak; they know we are weak.

Maybe it's because I'm new to the forums, but I haven't gotten this impression from the media. Granted, I don't listen to pundits often.

On another note, did you guys here that a graduate student used Google Earth to take a close look at North Korea? It may not seem like computer technology can do much, but in time I think it will be more of a game changer.

 

[11B Lifer]

Shortages

The majority of units deploying are understrength. The Army is short thousands of field grade officers. Most combat troops have multiple deployments. Because many branches have been assigned counter insurgency missions-they have not practiced conventional skills for years in some cases (Such as Airborne Artillery). This morning we received word of a local soldier being killed in Iraq. And the news?
As for our allies being capable of taking care of themselves? The French military could have stopped Hitler. The Dutch fought for about seven days. And in the Pacific....
The American military can only be defeated by one force: Congress