Would leaving military matters to the military be a good way to handle things?

Question

Our government has proven time and time again that when they try to meddle in military affairs our troops just end up dead. So I say when shiit goes down leave it up to the professionals who actually know what they are doing. Rather than some dumb @ss in an aircondioned room thousands of miles away that does not know didly about tactics or warfare.
What do you guys think?

Answer 1

Not to be crass or harsh, but any time the military is employed, our troops are going to die. We're not talking about slinging burgers or jockeying a cash register--these are high-risk jobs in many cases. Even when everything goes right, the good guys get hurt. All of us understand that when we raise that right hand and swear the oath.

Now, on the surface, your argument would seem to be a good idea. Leave the military matters to the military experts, right? However, the world is more complex than you make it out to be. As overquoted as it is, Carl von Clausewitz's assertion that "War is a continuation of politics by other means," is absolutely correct. A purely military (and acceptable) solution to any conflict is a mythical creature. As nice as it would be to wade into a war and just slaughter everyone who stands against us, you still have to work with allies, line up support from non-allied nations, plan for re-establishing a gov't once you've destroyed the one you're fighting, etc. Sound vaguely familiar?

There are people who've done their doctoral theses on these arguments. You could seriously go all day talking back and forth on it.

Bottom line, as much as I don't like the idea of some civilian giving the orders that could mean my life or death, I accept that it's the right thing to do, both constitutionally and realistically.

Answer 2

Probably but the Military does need limits the military should not be in charge of policy.

I have always thought the Military should be on autopilot once you it the ON button for war.

Answer 3

yes it should be left to the military

SSG ADA
US.ARMY

Answer 4

The military should be handling military affairs. However, I agree with Malclave that the decision to act or not to act should remain in civilian hands. This provides a certain level of checks and balances and ensures we don't have these military coups so often seen in third world nations.

Answer 5

So true, but only a dream. If the politics and reporters were kept at a distance this could easily be over in 6 months. Instead of 6 years. or more.

Answer 6

Clausewitz wrote “War is nothing more than the continuation of politics by other means.”

While the military should handle the actual prosecution of war, I think that it should ultimately be answerable to civilian authority.

Answer 7

Decisions are made from the top end but realize there are army commanders, generals, etc that come up with the concepts and how they want to proceed with the military action. Those generals and commanders always have tenure in the military meaning 10-20 years, and would fall under your "professional" category.

Answer 8

Yes, every time politicians get involved in a war it takes for ever and we usually lose.

Vet-USAF

Answer 9

I could not have said it better!! Good eye man.

Answer 10

Yes.

ACC(AW/SW)
USN ret.