A National Strategic Narrative by Mr. Y

[JohnnyMack]

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/events/docs/A%20National%20Strategic%20Narrative.pdf

An interesting article, even more interesting considering the source, which is The Pentagon.

[olevetonahill]

Trying to read all that made my brain hurt, Can I have condensed version ?:P

[JohnnyMack]

Two top level pentagon officials assert that we should reduce our military spending and reinvest it in our youth. That we should be the biggest player in a new global economy instead of ruling by brute force. The gist is that we haven't developed a way of thinking that allows us to compete in today's economy and that we're using our Soviet era containment doctrine is an ineffective way to deal with today's world.

[olevetonahill]

Makes sense. TY

[SoCaliSooner]

Two top level pentagon officials assert that we should reduce our military spending and reinvest it in our youth. That we should be the biggest player in a new global economy instead of ruling by brute force. The gist is that we haven't developed a way of thinking that allows us to compete in today's economy and that we're using our Soviet era containment doctrine is an ineffective way to deal with today's world.

The irony is in referencing all the advances made fighting the communist soviets, then says "we" should invest in universal health care, green vehicle technologies, more fluid borders , and less about a super power and more of a super sharer. So, our biggest advances were fighting communism and socialism, so let's now become socialist.

[JohnnyMack]

The irony is in referencing all the advances made fighting the communist soviets, then says "we" should invest in universal health care, green vehicle technologies, more fluid borders , and less about a super power and more of a super sharer. So, our biggest advances were fighting communism and socialism, so let's now become socialist.

That's one way of interpreting it I suppose.

[Chuck Bao]

In my opinion, the major points of the paper are quite obvious. Maybe it is because I have seen the benefits of the Asian economic miracle first hand.

Judging from some of the posts on this board, it seems like the general US population is still stuck in the Cold War era - zero-sum game - us vs. them mentality. Phrases such as "leader of the free world" and "thank you for keeping us free" are said so often that we may not even consider the meaning behind them. I better hasten to add here that I very much do appreciate the brave men and women who have served and are serving in our armed forces. I just prefer to say: "thank you for your service to our country."

But to change the general population mindset, we need real leadership in Washington and clear-cut policy and strategy goals that both political parties can and should support. We certainly don't need "business as usual" or politicians promoting fear and hatred, as if we can somehow turn back the clock to a time when the US dominated the world in terms of its industry and economy. It seems even today that any politician advocating reduction in military spending is committing political suicide.

Government reinvestment in the domestic economy, our own people and resources is often lampooned as wasteful and somehow socialist. Probably most of these government programs are indeed misguided and wasteful. But, the discussion and debate of more worthy programs or their implementation falters and never really advances.

Thanks for sharing the article, JM. I agree 100% with it. I just wish that it had been written 10 years ago and acted upon.

[Sooner5030]

Mr. Y is a pseudonym for CAPT Wayne Porter, USN and Col Mark "Puck" Mykleby, USMC who
are actively serving military officers. The views expressed herein are their own and do not
reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of
Defense or the U.S. government

ok read......but I'm not sure where the OP got that it is from the "pentagon" just because two officers (not even GOs) authored it.

The last thing we need is a bunch of O6s coming up with great ideas that take 15 years to implement and 20 years to correct later on.

[JohnnyMack]

ok read......but I'm not sure where the OP got that it is from the "pentagon" just because two officers (not even GOs) authored it.

You really think Gates and Mullen didn't read this before it was published? Seriously?

[Sooner5030]

You really think Gates and Mullen didn't read this before it was published? Seriously?

it's possible but not likely that they read every f-cking paper written by O6s at a war college or working with industry or some think tank.

[JohnnyMack]

it's possible but not likely that they read every f-cking paper written by O6s at a war college or working with industry or some think tank.

What if I told you they were currently serving as Special Assistants to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon?

[hawaii 5-0]

If we turned even 10% of our swords to plowshares we'd still have plenty of muscle to protect our borders (term used loosely), and kick anyone's azz who honestly threatened us.



5-0



Trump/ Patton 2012

[Chuck Bao]

it's possible but not likely that they read every f-cking paper written by O6s at a war college or working with industry or some think tank.

I am just not sure whether one can easily dismiss a report sent out by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. I think that they are quite respectable.

This is from Wikipedia: "The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars was established within the Smithsonian Institution, but it has its own board of trustees, composed both of government officials and of individuals from private life appointed by the President of the United States."

So yeah, I think it is safe to assume that senior Pentagon officials did read this report.

[sappstuf]

What if I told you they were currently serving as Special Assistants to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon?


Captain Wayne Porter, Special Assistant to the Chairman for Strategy in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

The longer the title, the more likely you know what everyone likes in their coffee....

[yermom]

If we turned even 10% of our swords to plowshares we'd still have plenty of muscle to protect our borders (term used loosely), and kick anyone's azz who honestly threatened us.



5-0



Trump/ Patton 2012

our borders? probably more like 90%

[Sooner5030]

oh dear god peeps. I was just trying to offer an insiders perspective on the importance of the paper with respect to how the services work. Over 600 COL/O6s attend a war college where they write some great paper on how we should change something. Also, you have the folks that have been accepted to fellowships and/or working with think tanks and industry that are also pressured to get something published.

Oh and chuck....I wouldn't get to worked up about a special assistant for strategy for the joint chiefs. That means that given all the cells/sections of staff assigned to the JCS this guy was just an assistant to one.

anyway....an ok read.

[lexsooner]

In my opinion, the major points of the paper are quite obvious. Maybe it is because I have seen the benefits of the Asian economic miracle first hand.

Judging from some of the posts on this board, it seems like the general US population is still stuck in the Cold War era - zero-sum game - us vs. them mentality. Phrases such as "leader of the free world" and "thank you for keeping us free" are said so often that we may not even consider the meaning behind them. I better hasten to add here that I very much do appreciate the brave men and women who have served and are serving in our armed forces. I just prefer to say: "thank you for your service to our country."

But to change the general population mindset, we need real leadership in Washington and clear-cut policy and strategy goals that both political parties can and should support. We certainly don't need "business as usual" or politicians promoting fear and hatred, as if we can somehow turn back the clock to a time when the US dominated the world in terms of its industry and economy. It seems even today that any politician advocating reduction in military spending is committing political suicide.

Government reinvestment in the domestic economy, our own people and resources is often lampooned as wasteful and somehow socialist. Probably most of these government programs are indeed misguided and wasteful. But, the discussion and debate of more worthy programs or their implementation falters and never really advances.

Thanks for sharing the article, JM. I agree 100% with it. I just wish that it had been written 10 years ago and acted upon.

Well said, Chuck. It is, unfortunately, more easily said than done because our government/political/industrial compex is very strongly entrenched and self-perpetuating. Politicians and the military industrial complex benefit from playing off of the fears of common folk. You make very good points, but I am just not very optimistic things will change for the better for these reasons.

And, wow, this intelligent thread has gone a full page without someone(s) ruining it with partisan and/or small-minded ranting.

[SoCaliSooner]

I agree Chuck. My Tommy Bahama shirts are made in China and the mark up is probably 50 times the cost, but I am fine with that.

[Xunil]

Maybe it is because I have seen the benefits of the Asian economic miracle first hand.


Is that the "miracle" based on slave labor, government protectionism, and false infrastructure?

[lexsooner]

And, wow, this intelligent thread has gone a full page without someone(s) ruining it with partisan and/or small-minded ranting.

Well, we had a good run, but it had to end. ^