Why the US military has been Down-sizing...

leeblackman

I had a buddy (not to smart of one) go down to the Army Recruiting Station and ask if they were going to be starting the draft and stuff. He was and had been trying to get into the Army for a while, but couldn't score high enough the ASVAB. The recruiter told him no, and that they had no need to do any more recruiting than normal. Told him he could take the asvab again if he wanted. But they'd rather have recruits with some college under them.Turns out from what the recruiter told him, war isn't like it used to be. They don't need a bunch of manpower. They won't be sending in grunts by the ton like it used to be. Its more of a technological battle, they need intellegent people able to operate the computerized and sometime complex equiptment they have. They still have alot of other, not so complicated jobs, but they don't have any problem filling those. They need people like computer programmers. In my unsupported opinion, I think that in the future, battle will be fought primarily using technology. Armored vehicles will rule the battle field, along with air support, communications will be the biggest field. I think the only infantry will be small groups of special forces, such as Ranger, SF, and Seals. And of coarse there will always be a need for Military Police keep the piece after the place has been rolled over by the tanks and stuff.What do you think?

rodgerglide

I work at Ft.Rucker as a helicopter mech and the latest and greatist aircraft are the most deadly machines tn the world.The brains needed to fly and shoot and not run into anything at the same time is always hard to find.Those pilots are the best in the world.I am a proud veteran and respect their ability.When I was a crew-chief 25 years ago,the aircraft were not as complicated.

Fitz

OK, I know you're going to think that this is off the wall, but remeber that just about every computer chip in all of our high-tech piece of equipment is made in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. If the * really hits the fan here at home, China WILL get in on the action. Then we will need ground troops of the quantity we needed in Korea.Just my opinion.

Andrew Adams

Fitz,I realize that in our home technology the chips are mostly oriental. However, there is a reason why AMD and Intel still survive in the US, and it's largely due to defense contracting. I think you'd be surprised to find out how much of our DOD stuff is made domestically.

Redleg

Armor as we know it is extinct. The Army is transforming into a medium weight force that will rely heavily on technology. Infantry operations will move out of the woods and into the cities as soldiers will find themselves conducting MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain). But, when it all boils down to it, it's going to be Joe Snuffy and Abdullah Rachmanad on a two-way rifle range. All the computers in the world won't save him, but his American made M-16 (or M-4...sweet weapon) will.Redleg

---

Crush your enemies, drive their horses before you, hear the lamentation of their women.--Genghis Khan

leeblackman

Actually, knowing from first hand knowledge (15hrs of CNTT and Lamar Tech) alot of chips are made here in the US by Texas Instruments. Alot more than you think. There is a really large database, which chips are manufactured using for all circuit purposes. Believe it or not there's a chip for any type of circuit you could think of. The database was shared with another corp out of Japan, who also exchanged there database. The chips are made and tested to curtain guidelines and meet certain specifications. AMD rules, their Athlon processor is the best thing since color TV.