Home » Archives » "Point - Counterpoint"

Point - Counterpoint

Jul- 1-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

I'm breaking a few of my own rules by posting the following item (just this once!). A while back someone wrote a letter to David Hackworth comparing the Stryker vehicle to the M113 - he was very critical of the Stryker. The letter was published on Hackworth's website. This week the father of a Stryker soldier decided to respond, and let's just say he doesn't pull any punches. Excerpt:

No vehicle is perfect or bulletproof, but the Styker is far ahead of what has come before it.

Mr. Bettis also claims "generals won't put (the Stryker) into the thick of the battle to see whether it's battle-worthy or not." Let's check the record: The generals used it in Samarra to settle that area on the 4th Infantry Division's request. They sent it to take over for the 101st Airborne Division (Hmm. Brigade takes over for a Division. Sounds like a bit of a risk unless you have confidence in the men and equipment.) and are still doing a great job in Mosul. An ad hoc group formed from the Brigade had to take over escorting convoys because no one else could do it (those darned Generals again), leaving even fewer to cover Mosul. Now, the 1/14 Cavalry has taken on this classic Cavalry duty and, guess what, the Strykers come under fire on every run, but haven't lost a truck yet. "Thick of the fight?" How about driving through the Sunni Triangle every day? The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker) is in demand by just about everybody over there. It's an ultra-mobile, very lethal unit filled with highly motivated soldiers who can communicate and plan on the advance.

What else do you want?

There's more.

CLARIFICATION: The "rule" I was referring to was our decision - way back when - not to jump into the debate regarding the Stryker vehicle. That topic is covered extensively elsewhere.


Advertisements