Ten Years is too Long for Victory

Last Friday (October 7) marked 10 years of the War on Terror and Operation Enduring Freedom - our attack on Al Qaeda. Ten years. I have a problem with the United States waging war for ten years without victory.

First, let me state unequivocally that I support the war and the brave men and women fighting it. I believe categorically that it is impossible to "support the troops" without supporting the mission they are on. I want the United States to achieve victory - however long it takes.

I mourn the loss of the 1,754 servicemen who have given their lives in Afghanistan, honor the sacrifice made by the over 14,000 wounded, and applaud all of those who have served with honor. Our Nation owes you a great debt.

That said, I am appalled that we are still fighting there in 2011 after 10 years. Fighting 10 years after the first shot indicates to me just one thing: we do not have the political and social will to achieve victory.

How do I define victory in this, or any war? Once the President, with concurrence of Congress (as happened in both cases of Afghanistan and Iraq), commits our Armed Forces to war there should be only two possible outcomes for the enemy: unconditional surrender or complete destruction.

I question if the United States actually has the ability to wage war anymore. Before anybody throws a gasket, I am not questioning the dedication or professionalism of our military. Far from. I am questioning the character of our society that thinks that war can be waged in a "nice" way. Our Nation would be much better off had the term "collateral damage" never crept into the lexicon.

We should have destroyed our enemy in Afghanistan ten times over by now. I believe that unrealistic expectations and militarily unjustifiable restrictions placed on our forces prevent us from destroying our enemies, or bringing them to their knees in surrender, are the reason we are still fighting after 10 years.

Why has the United States "gone soft" when it comes to waging war and achieving victory? I'll be exploring this from time to time in this space, the first segment of which will appear shortly and is called "The PGM Effect".

God bless all of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, and may His grace shield you through every battle and take you from victory to victory.