Asymmetric Military

When I attended Army Engineering school (BOLC 3-formerly known as OBC) for the Army in 2007, a colonel with the 130th EN Brigade came to class to speak about his experiences. He was one of the most interesting, certainly amongst the smartest, people I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. His explanation of the situation in Iraq, and remember that Bush had just announced the Surge strategy, was riveting.

Most of the points he made are moot now, but he did mention that the soldiers with whom he deployed during OIF I- that is, the first group of soldiers to enter Iraq, the ones who fought against Saddam's Army, were the best trained and most highly motivated soldiers he's ever worked with.

I don't know if I saw Engineering the Victory the same day the colonel gave his speech, but I remember liking it enough to have it transferred to my thumb drive for future use on Asymmetric. It's a photographic diary of the 130th's adventure in Iraq. It's OK as far as these things go.

I knew that when the people who made the video say, "victory," they were referring to their success in liberating Iraq, but it still seemed a little inappropriate at the time, and I never used it.

Well, now with the agreement between the Iraqi and American governments on a glide path for American troop withdrawal almost assuring a second (no comma) legitimate "mission accomplished," I think it's safe to broadcast. Enjoy.