U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis Explains What The U.S. Must Do To Meet The Threats That It Faces Today And Tomorrow

Dave Majumdar, National Interest: The U.S. Military Needs to Be Ready to Wage 3 Very Different Types of Wars

As rival powers rise to challenge the United States, the Pentagon is faced with the problem of how to face down a spectrum of challenges that range from nuclear deterrence, to high-end conventional wars to the low-end counterinsurgency fights. The United States military has to be able to do all three of those things at the same time, but the question for the Pentagon is how.

“This is our problem statement,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told an audience at the Association of the U.S. Army Exposition on Oct. 9. “How to maintain a safe and secure nuclear deterrent and maintain a decisive conventional force that can also fight irregular warfare.”

The Defense Department is taking a three-pronged approach to the problem.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis wants Congress to be directly involved  (and responsible for) the decision making process when it comes to formulating policy/defense needs/and budget requirements, and he wants the White House to be more focused on strengthening foreign alliances. Hmmmm .... easier said than done.

U.S. Troops In Europe Told To Not Wear Uniforms Off Base

A U.S. servicemember watches as the flag at the Ramstein U.S. Air Force base in Germany is lowered to half-mast in honor of a killed soldier. Reuters

U.S. Troops In Europe Ordered Not To Wear Uniforms Off Base -- Washington Times

U.S. military bases in Europe have been ordered to “limit to the max extent possible” instances where personnel wear uniforms off base.

U.S. European Command put out the directive Nov. 10.

“In addition, all personnel should review individual social media account security and geo-location functions/settings to ensure their profiles are not overly revealing,” EUCOM said in a statement, Military Timesreported Tuesday.

Just two days after EUCOM’s directive was announced, U.S. sailors on liberty in Turkey were attacked by the nationalist Youth Association.

Read more ....

Update #1: US orders its Europe troops to keep low profile -- AP
Update #2: EUCOM bars troops from wearing uniforms off base -- Stars and Stripes

My Comment: I guess the rational is .... why make an easy target. But if someone wants to target a U.S. soldier .... they will.

The Colin Powell Doctrine For The U.S. Military Has Been Flushed

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses troops and civilians assigned to Eskan Village Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 17, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Mullen Recalibrates The Use Of Force -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, laid out new principles Wednesday for how to use the military in meeting contemporary threats, saying that overwhelming force can be counterproductive if used recklessly.

In a careful recalibration of well-known principles set forth years ago by a predecessor, Gen. Colin L. Powell, Admiral Mullen said the military “must not try to use force only in an overwhelming capacity, but in the proper capacity, and in a precise and principled manner.”

Read more ....

More News On Mullen's Recalibrating Of Force

Top U.S. military official outlines tempered approach to war -- L.A. Times
Admiral Mullen: foreign policy is too dominated by the military -- Christian Science Monitor
Top US officer says military too dominant in foreign policy -- Raw Story/AFP

My Comment: This is a radical departure from the Colin Powell doctrine of using overwhelming force .... but from my point of view not a surprising one.

We are not fighting wars where overwhelming military strength will be effective .... nor needed. We are fighting wars in which intelligence, allies in the local community, and sufficient boots on the ground (with proper support) being the main key ingredients for success.

Mullen is only tweaking what everyone knows must be done.

Memo To U.S. Soldiers In Iraq: Do Not Get Pregnant

U.S. Personnel In Iraq Could Face Court-Martial For Getting Pregnant -- Stars And Stripes

The Army general commanding U.S. forces in northern Iraq has added pregnancy to the list of prohibitions for personnel under his command.

The policy, which went into effect Nov. 4, makes it possible to face punishment, including a court-martial and jail time, for becoming pregnant or impregnating a servicemember, according to the wording of the policy and confirmations from Army officials.

Read more ....

Update: General defends court martial for pregnant soldiers -- BBC

My Comment: There is no messing around on this order .... it even involves married couples.

I may be wrong, but I think that this is the first time that the US Army has made pregnancy a punishable offense.