It Ain't New - the value of studying, and applying, military history

Aerospace Power Journal, Fall, 2000 by Ike Skelton

We need educational efforts not only to justify resources but also to effectively employ PGMs against critical targets. For example, during Desert Storm, coalition political and military leaders hesitated to allow the bombing of high-value targets located in or near population centers. However, after receiving briefings detailing the accuracy of PGMs, these leaders felt more comfortable using them against targets in cities.[20] As previously mentioned, General Clark gave the same types of briefings during Allied Force in order to gain NATO consensus to bomb certain targets in highly populated areas.

Conclusion

My study of history tells me that the challenges facing the military today--and into the future--are not new. The US military must continue to develop leaders who understand jointness in order to fight as a joint force. This is important because the nation needs the strength created when all of the armed services work together. In addition, because America will continue to lead and participate in coalitions, the services must prepare military leaders of tomorrow to operate comfortably in a multinational environment. They must understand the different national interests that may drive their counterparts and must recognize allied military capabilities in order to get the most out of their contributions. Finally, the United States cannot afford to haphazardly integrate new technology into its force structure. We must look ahead in order to understand the potential implications of technology and to ensure that theory, doctrine, and strategy do not fall behind. One of the best ways for future military leaders to prepare is to study military history. It might surprise them to discover how much yesteryear has in common with today. In other words-- it ain't new.

Rep. Ike Skelton (AB, LLB, University of Missouri) is serving his 12th term as Democratic congressman from Missouri's Fourth District. He is the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. Prior to his election to Congress, he served as prosecuting attorney for Lafeyette County. Missouri; special assistant attorney general; and Missouri state senator. Elected to the 95th Congress on 2 November 1976, Representative Skelton has been reelected so each succeeding Congress.

(*.) I wish to express my gratitude to Maj Mary F. O'Brien, USAF for her insight and research contributions in the preparation of this article.

Notes

(1.) Paul C. Clark Jr. and Edward H. Moseley, "Vcracruz, 1847--A Grand Design," Joint Force Quarterly, Winter 1995-1996, 104.

(2.) K. Jack Bauer, Surfboats boats and Horse Marines: US. Naval Operations in the Mexican War, 1846-48 (Annapolis: US Naval Institute, 1969), 77-78.

(3.) Clark and Moseley, 108.

(4.) Ibid., 110.

(5.) US Department of Defense, Conduct of the Persian Gulf Con flict: Final Report to the congress (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, April 1992), 293.

(6.) P. Mason Carpenter, "Joint Operations in the Gulf War: An Allison Analysis" (thesis, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala., June 1994), 18-19; on-line, Internet, 2000, available from http://www.au.af.mil/au/sans/studrsch/carpente.doc.>