Col Sellin: How to get kicked out of Afghanistan without really trying… (…Everyone should remember that these are military careerists. War provides the opportunity for testing their skills, getting medals and promotions. …)

…..In any case, after the article was published and after a helpful colleague slipped a yellow-highlighted copy under his door, my major general supervisor politely and professionally asked me to leave Afghanistan.

Another major general, who I had never met, but who had a previous unpleasant experience with an article-writer, ordered me behind closed doors so he could call me names.

A case of projected anger, I suppose.Seriously though, I think it is time for the American people to hold the senior military leaderships’ colonels and up feet to the fire.

When they make their reports to Congress, one can be sure that it is the best possible scenario that they can justify without lying. The phrase “progress is being made” should not be accepted as an answer. It is like saying “the check is in the mail.”

Everyone should remember that these are military careerists. War provides the opportunity for testing their skills, getting medals and promotions. A compromise peace without their definition of “victory” might be considered a failure. They all want to march down Pennsylvania Avenue like General Norman Schwarzkopf.

Likewise, the contractors want to continue making their huge profits. It is the common soldiers, however, who are providing the sweat and shedding the blood.We must stop treating the Afghans like children. They are not. It is their country and for better or worse, they should start taking responsibility for it.

There is little reason not to begin turning over responsibility now. Regional Command West is possible because it is the most peaceful part of the country. That could be followed by Regional Command North.

Between now and next July, the coalition can concentrate on Regional Commands East, South and Southwest.After that no more blank checks. In my opinion, time’s up.Lawrence Sellin, Ph.D., is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a veteran of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Until recently he was serving his second deployment to Afghanistan. The views expressed are his own and definitely do not reflect those of the U.S. Army or U.S. government. He was not compensated for this article.

EXCERPT

via How to get kicked out of Afghanistan without really trying — too hard – By Tom Ricks | The Best Defense.

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