“These Chaps Really Want To Win”
Will To Win
By George H. Wittman
There is a great deal that is not understood about American fighting forces in Iraq. The essence of their spirit, however, was captured best by a serving British officer referring to the average U.S. combat soldier: “These chaps really want to win.”
It’s as simple as that. The American soldier, Marine, airman or sailor in a combat role in Iraq — or Afghanistan — has a burning desire to win, to beat the bad guys. It is easy to say that is what they are paid to do and what is expected of them. But the level of their desire is far beyond anything that the civilian world can comprehend — certainly beyond the ken of most of the members of Congress, of both parties.
All American politicians pay lip service to “the heroic job done by our people in the military services” (a favorite phrase), but only the few who have served in combat theaters understand the fighting spirit that drives the volunteer armed forces of the United States. Unfortunately, even some veterans of earlier conflicts have made examples of themselves as political opportunists and chosen to ignore what they know, or should know, so well.
All professional soldiers have the same desire to win, but America’s volunteers come from a culture that considers “winning” to be its reason to exist. Whether it is in business, sports, or the ordinary aspects of every day life, Americans strive to win. This is a characteristic that is often looked down upon, even condemned, as unsophisticated and rather base by what used to be known as the ” Old World.”
When the 5th and 6th Marines spearheaded the successful U.S. Army 2nd Division attack on their sector of St. Mihiel in 1918 against entrenched German machine guns, it surprised the veteran French command — but not the Marine commanders.
When a worn down 101st Airborne heroically held off everything the besieging German Army could throw at them at Bastogne, George Patton wasn’t surprised. He just turned his Third Army around and ramrodded the 4th Armored Division through the 1944 winter snow to relieve them.
And when elements of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 7th Cavalry fought to a standstill in 1965 an entire PAVN division in the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam, they were honored, but no one other than the North Vietnamese was surprised. These were all American combat soldiers, and it has been so since 1775.
For some reason American politicians, perhaps reflecting the American public’s appetite for instant gratification, have grown weary of the fight in Iraq. It’s obvious from their public statements which ones among them still carry the fighting spirit of the men and women they so frequently laud, but whom, for the most part, they just do not understand.
One thing should never occur: The issue of remaining in a foreign country to fight and die for whatever reason should never be a matter debated by catch phrases. Policy on war may be complicated, but the military men and women who actually fight it can fully understand complex issues and the civilian public certainly must learn to.
The fact is that the American citizenry and its political representatives all the way up to whoever is president should always be aware that when they order our warriors into battle, these magnificent men and women will continue on fighting the enemy with which they are faced until they win. And if Congress and any White House wants our military to win, the politicians must make it clear from the beginning the militarily attainable objectives and what they define as victory.
Vince Lombardi, who once coached at West Point, would later say his professional teams never lost, but some just ran out of time. For strictly political reasons the American military may be running out of time in Iraq, but they will not have lost, no matter what happens. Our politicians will have lost, and most likely the American public also.
There is one thing that all Americans can find solace in without regard to their political leanings. When the time comes again — and it surely will — for the U.S. armed forces to protect our shores wherever necessary, they will make proud General George Washington and all who have followed him through the years.
Garry Owen, Semper Fi, and Airborne — All The Way!
George H. Wittman is a former Regular Army private, a member of the Committee on the Present Danger, and was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.
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Fucking “A”. And did anyone expect a different attitude? Oh surely, the self-hating, western-loathing progressives in the Western world could comprehend this idea…right?
Not a chance. Progressives are too busy drinking lattes and sucking on lemon bars. They nuetered their GI Joe dolls eons ago.
And yet the “spirit of the bayonet” lives on in America. That fighting spirit that made this country what it is is still given a honored and hsllowed place in many households.
The progressives have the desks and schools. But that’s all they got. They have their empty rhetoric, their lies and their god Mr Darwin.
What they don’t have is the minds and souls of young American fighters where the spirit of the bayonet, and the will to succeed can never be quenched.
Gary Owen indeed…..
August 26th, 2007 at 8:03 amDamn good article..As an American I have come to expect victory, I never once thought we would lose in Iraq and Afghanistan..To be honest, the thought has never crossed my mind. And if given the chance to complete the mission by the asswipes in our congress we will win, we are winning right now..
August 26th, 2007 at 8:14 amSome months ago I received a call from my son in Singapore on his way to Iraq. This is what he said.
“Everything in life and war happens for a reason. If I don’t come back,it’s for a reason. If I come back missing an arm or leg. it’s for a reason. I just want to score a win for myself, my Marines and our Battalion”
That sums up the spirit of Americas volunteers in uniform.
Semper Fi
August 26th, 2007 at 9:50 amGreat article! email it around.
In armed conflict there is no one that can defeat us, for our greatest enemy is not al queeeda, the ruskies or the godless chinese. Our greatest threat comes within, a naive leftist ideology based on shallow emotions, self serving egos, and a lust for power for powers sake. That my friends is the democrat party today, I fear them much more than the subhumans savages, for you can only die once as a free man, but in bondage you and yours suffer daily, small death after small death in endless humilations.
Regarding Garry Owen, it reminded me of this picture of me before the statue of the great General Custer:
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/eibessential/illustrating_absurdity/gallery_13.guest.html
(scroll down about halfway)
August 26th, 2007 at 10:12 amGood piece. When you commit to fight, you fight to win, and you accept no substitutes.
But I would point out one thing. I don’t know if the American public has given up. It think it is more of a matter they have given up on the current status quo lacking forward progress. There is some movement in opinion since there has been some change in tactics in Iraq.
To the British Officer in your piece. Cornwallis knew this. His ghost has not whispered in your ear?
August 26th, 2007 at 10:48 amYou can always learn a lot from listening to Army privates. (and USMC grunts ; )
August 26th, 2007 at 11:22 amCool picture Steve..I like the one of the guy standing in front of the dumpster with the Kerry/Edwards sticker on it too
August 26th, 2007 at 2:23 pmKurt(the infidel)
WTF
What am I missing…I only see Marines with SAW’s
Clue me in on the dumpster and the like…sheesh
August 26th, 2007 at 4:19 pmOf course we want to win-why would we want to lose. It’s true we are an impatient country,but we should not give up for that reason alone.
August 26th, 2007 at 4:47 pmGreetings:
A quote from the article -
The American soldier, Marine, airman or sailor in a combat role in Iraq — or Afghanistan — has a burning desire to win, to beat the bad guys. It is easy to say that is what they are paid to do and what is expected of them. But the level of their desire is far beyond anything that the civilian world can comprehend — certainly beyond the ken of most of the members of Congress, of both parties.
I see a confluence. Follow me…
Hilary has a good chance of becoming President of this here US. Hilary, unchecked, has a good chance of screwing up the country. Hilary is unaware of the attitude of hundreds of thousands of American soldiers (many of whom are reservists)…
Do you see where this is headed? Pissed off Iraqi war veterans with access to SAWs and M203 grenade launchers.
Do we want to go there or is there something we can do now to head this off at the pass. I know there are those who think I am a tentpeg and a dumbass and a coward and a socialist and everything…but I know if the shit hits the fan, I’ll be one of the shits. When the time comes to walk a post, I will. I have. I don’t want to be. I don’t want to see this country torn apart if there is anything I can do to stop it and no, I don’t mean submit!
A true warrior fights because he has to, not because he wants to.
What have you done lately to stop civil war in America?
Tim Roesch
August 26th, 2007 at 4:57 pmCommand Private Major
Tentpeg anyone?
Oh shit
My apologies to kurt(the infidel) You sir were responding to Steve in NC about his pic on Rush’s website
I feel like an asshole
Note to self…think before typing…and drinking
August 26th, 2007 at 6:02 pmTimmy-me-boy:
You’re a dolt. Get used to it. Your views, your opinions are worthless drivel. Shove the greetings Dhimi or mail them to your princess Madam Hillary.
In short, fuck off libnut.
August 26th, 2007 at 6:42 pmGreetings:
(there is little excuse for impoliteness in this impolite world),
How do you know I am ‘libnut’? Have you asked questions? Can you ask…you know, questions?
You also seem to be more interested in sex than solving problems.
Are you just waiting in your foxhole?
I am sorry for you.
Tim Roesch
August 26th, 2007 at 6:59 pmCPK
If asked about our congress, the British officer would have said: “These chaps really want to lose”.
we dont train our military to lose. perhaps we need to remind the congress!
August 26th, 2007 at 7:06 pmYou wish the American public and our representatives would understand… Haha TJ that congress statement was awesome!
August 26th, 2007 at 8:10 pmReminds me of a piece I wrote (”Winners”) about Bill Russell and Red Auerbach…These men contended in a game, not a life-and-death struggle like WW IV, but their successes have many instructive lessons for us. FIRST–
1)**Like General MacArthur, they knew THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR TOTAL VICTORY. They subordinated every individual ambition or distraction to the overwhelming objective of DEFEATING THE OPPONENT. They thought ceaselessly and creatively how to attack the enemy’s weak points; how to maximize their own strengths; and how to minimize their own weaknesses. The results speak for themselves: Bill Russell and Red Auerbach were together with the Boston Celtics for 13 years, and they won 11 World Championships…and one of the 2 they didn’t win, Bill Russell was injured in the Playoff Finals and couldn’t play (1958).
2)**They never got complacent. They understood that, human nature being what it is, when you are #1, your competitors don’t stand around and gaze at you in respectful admiration…THEY REDOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS TO SMASH YOU. So the Celtics tried to come up with something or someone new every year, so their opponents would always be kept off-balance.
3)**THEY PRESSURED THEIR OPPONENTS WITHOUT LETUP. Under both Auerbach and Russell, the Celtics were a defensive-oriented team, whose offense actually sprang from their defense: their defenders relentlessly pressured the opponent into bad shots or turnovers, and then the Celtics roared into the fast-break, forcing them back on their heels. This unsparing pressure required great stamina, but the team trained and practiced for it, and were notoriously the best-trained athletes in a league of superbly-trained athletes. As Bill Russell later wrote in the Wall Street Journal:
“Great defense attacks an opponent’s offense vs. reacting to it…From high school to the NBA, I played 21 years of organized basketball and won 18 championships, including the record 11 NBA titles, by focusing on our being the better defensive team…Blocking shots, stealing passes and causing turnovers all distract [the opponent’s] concentration. Team defense is as much a psychological strategy as it is a tactical weapon.
In the end, an offense feeds off of its defense. And effective offenses begin with effective defense.”
4)**They practiced psychological warfare. In Russell’s great autobiography, “Go Up for Glory,” he describes how, after carefully studying the opponent, the Celtics would deliberately provoke certain players to make them angry: these players performed worse when angry. On the other hand, some opponents performed better when angry. The Celtics would carefully refrain from antagonizing them.
5)**They never backed down from intimidation. The Celtics and Auerbach relished it when their opponents attempted to turn the contest into a brawl. The team regularly included at least one prime “hatchet-man,” whose main function was to serve as a physical enforcer against other teams. The Celtic enforcers would cancel out any brawlers on the opposition, forcing the game into a talent-vs.-talent contest. Which is what the Celtics always wanted.
#5 is very important, because our Caliphate enemies ultimately rely on intimidation/extortion as their weapon of choice at every level. Their message always boils down to: “Do what we want or we will kill you.” And every day they kill people, up close and personal, who did not do what they wanted. African tribesmen, video sellers, barbers, peaceful clerics of all faiths, women without veils, interpreters, generals, parliamentarians, writers, “disrespectful” filmmakers, elementary-school teachers, and of course cartoonists.
Our appropriate response to any such effort at intimidation must be to instantly identify it as such, and ruthlessly maul the offender to the maximum extent allowed by law. The harsher our response, the less likely these little subversives will be to try to enforce their shariah lunacy here in the free world.
August 26th, 2007 at 9:01 pmGood article. The other point, which I think answers the questions many of you have as to the public support of the war, is that America loves to win so much that even dumbass civilians with no clue jump on and off the bandwagon shamelessly. They simply think or have been convinced (cough cough traitorous scum) that we are losing and so they suddenly “dont support it.”
Whereas if Iraq can “get on its feet” and can publicly express itself some more later (like Maliki roasting Hillary) and suddenly we’ve won, then you think you’re gonna find a person in America who is like “Yes, I know we won and that I see everyday how grateful the Iraqis are and how better it is, but I was still against it?” Hell no. Everybody will pretend to have been there through “thick or thin,” which is why we have to remember these fuckers and give them their just desserts.
August 26th, 2007 at 9:10 pmI hope Harry Reid and his gang get to read this article. I doubt it though. They’ll never understand true victory.
August 26th, 2007 at 9:12 pm“These chaps really want to win.”
…and this is supposed to surprise whom?
August 26th, 2007 at 9:30 pmHey Dan, eons ago I had a bunch of GI joe dolls and my best one would have barbie always waiting at home in a negligee to greet him after a hard days fight. I hope that doesn’t make me a chauvinist pig. (I think that it just means that guys who like to win, also like to see women in negligee’s)
August 27th, 2007 at 1:44 amTo borrow a line from the movie “Patton”: “Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. …. The very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.”
A lot has changed in the United States since General Patton and the “Greatest Generation” fought in World War Two. Since then we have witnessed the vaporization of a will to win by the politicians and the public they represent into the air of acceptability. Fortunately, we have not witnessed that weakness and the acceptability of losing by our men and women placed in harms way.
Now let me insert the following piece from Newsweek: In an interview after his retirement, Bui Tin, who received the South Vietnamese army’s unconditional surrender in 1975, recalled that visits to Hanoi by Jane Fonda, church ministers and other antiwar protesters “gave us confidence that we should hold on in the face of battlefield reverses . . . through dissent and protest [America] lost the ability to mobilize a will to win”.
Step back and take a look at where we are today and ask yourself whether the United States will ever love being a winner again. The idea that the question even needs to be asked is… hateful. Out.
August 27th, 2007 at 2:06 amBesides this being a great article, an important item for the patriots reading this to ake away is this.
When the North Viet Namese refer to hanoi jane and other traitors leading to the surrender by promoting anti American feelings, we need to keep bringing that to the publics attention, and then compare that to Pelosi visting with the leader of Syria, of our other elected traitors visiting with other heads of state that do not have peaceful intentions to us or the world, and to constantly hold their feet to the fire for their traitorous actions.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:07 amGreetings:
Brad the infidel (so many infidels so few Jihadis…) wrote:
When the North Viet Namese refer to hanoi jane and other traitors leading to the surrender by promoting anti American feelings, we need to keep bringing that to the publics attention, and then compare that to Pelosi visting with the leader of Syria, of our other elected traitors visiting with other heads of state that do not have peaceful intentions to us or the world, and to constantly hold their feet to the fire for their traitorous actions.
EXACTLY! Now, how to do it in a way that does not involve genitals, tentpegs and other abuse. We need to win hearts and minds. Unless you want a divided America we have to live with the former Clintonistas.
So, how do we do it?
Tim Roesch
August 27th, 2007 at 2:16 pmCPM
Tentpegs for sale
Mark Tanberg:
That’s exactly right. Love the Gi Joe Doll story… That’s no shit…men who like to win…who got balls enough to put on the uniform and risk their very lives…just naturally migrate to females in black negliges.
There’s nothing wrong with you dude….And if you are a male chauvenist then you are in good company :cool
August 27th, 2007 at 6:06 pmLOL
Tim Roesch:
You’re obviously new here, If you would read more and listen more…you would find that your questions have already been answered.
But you seem too busy trying to sound “intelligent”. And yet you ask such dumbass questions. Read more…comment less.
You sound like a H.S student or a newbee college freshman.
People in the know ask less questions, when they understand the material.
Asking alot of idiotic questions shows that you do not grasp the material presented here.
And in case you haven’t figured it out yet, we don’t like libs. Libs are as much the enemy to Western Civilization as are the irhabis.
You’re the enemy kid…that’s the long and short of it…
Try getting your head out of your rectum for a change…
Join the team and come in for the big win. Or not….
In any case you are in a sea of crocodiles who will devour you unless you wise up…Lose the liberal progressive mantra…It doesn’t work here…Head games don’t work either… So forget playing the circle-jerk game…
If you got a legit question…that’s one thing…but if you want to play head games…you might want to search out a different venue for your spew…
Loose the moniker. If you are trying to poke fun at our military, I highly advise you to stop it.
The bossman don’t like anti-military libtards. And neither do we…
It’s like the bossman said “It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.”
So lose the anti-military moniker…Or go somewhere else…
August 27th, 2007 at 6:21 pm