Heed military professionals

Success in wartime depends on operations planned and implemented by experienced military commanders. In every war that political decisions have dictated terms, resources and ultimate win-or-lose tactics, we have been the losers.

World War II was conducted largely without political interference, and we won an overwhelming victory. Successful military campaigns were based on military decisions by area commanders who knew the problems and solutions first-hand.

The Korean campaign was a disaster due to political interference and decisions made in Washington, D.C. After years of difficult fighting under the most severe conditions, we retreated and we now live with the consequences of a politically failed Korean policy.

Vietnam is a classic case where dominant decisions made by a U.S. president resulted in withdrawal and is a national disgrace.

Today we face another potential crisis where a commanding general with 30-plus years of military command has submitted his recommendation for resources he considers necessary to conduct a successful war effort. A U.S. president who has never managed so much as a hot dog stand is asked to approve. While an inexperienced president meditates a win-or-lose proposition, we face a familiar political decision to a wartime military operation.

Al Oliver

Coeur d’Alene