Originally Posted by
SASless
We have seen the results of decay within the Russian Military as demonstrated by its failures in Ukraine.
Also, we have seen how Warfare has changed due to technology.
Russian military failures came more from corruption within the senior ranks.
More and more we hear of problems within the US Military and Department of Defense at the Senior Leadership levels.
We saw a disastrous end to the Afghanistan War after almost two decades of fighting there and a similar sad end to the Iraq War.
Under Reagan and Lehman we saw a 600 Ship US Navy that was too big and too costly and now we are looking at a 280 Ship Navy.
The Air Force has major shortcomings in Pilots and aircraft.
The Army is as always very slow to modernize.
Russia and China remain our two strategic foes and the Chinese are building up their forces in size and capability.
Are we headed to a position that would indicate to the. Chinese and Russians that we no longer are as capable as we think. we are?
Hard to say. The crucial factor is in training, which costs money. Readiness accounts come from the O & M accounts, which Congress cuts and boosts in a fickle and random manner. This has been true for decades.
We had problems similar to this in the 90's that I recall - with great psychic pain - yet our military remained an effective fighting force.
One hopes that the lessons learned from what is ongoing in Ukraine at present is being digested and applied for use later on.
Your 'glass half full' take is not agreed.