We've come a long way since Underoos

A few years ago after another failed bomb attempt with peroxide-based explosives, the TSA requirements shifted to prevent a similar attack. That, if you recall, is when we started having to put our tiny bottles of liquids and gels into ziploc baggies. At that time, a friend remarked to me: "Our enemy is looking to attack us with toothpaste and contact solution, and our solution is the F-22."

Now, let me first say that as an air-to-air fighter pilot who believes that when we react to today's threat (unconventional organizations with global reach) without preparing for tomorrow's (which might be a more conventional, state-based actor), we do so at our own peril. But still, my friend's words have a lot of truth in them. Even with all we've learned over the past years, our Cold War (or for those younger folk, DESERT STORM) preknowledge and prejudices conspire, predisposing us to a worldview in which we look at all threats with a conventional eye.

During the years following the Cold War, even many of the most forward-looking strategists viewed present and future adversaries within traditional, structured, state-based systems. We envisioned future warfare as a refinement of DESERT STORM-era strategy, itself an evolution of the Clausewitzian modern war model, where strategic parallel engagement of specific centers of gravity coerced a fixed, at least marginally rational, and centralized leadership into capitulation or removed that leadership’s capability to act against our interests. Today, we face a threat whose decentralized leadership has values that defy what we define as rational thought. Using the communication capabilities of globalization, these terrorist organizations operate transnationally. They are able to garner support from, and direct actions in, dispersed and diverse locations throughout the globe.

Like their leadership, the footsoldiers in this conflict are different also. They are not regular military forces. Their values and even definitions of success and victory do not meet our concept of rationality. Instead, they attempt not to stand out as an organized force at all, attacking with concealed weapons under pretenses of being a noncombatant, and accepting any wound against their foe (us), even at a disproportional loss of life or treasure to themselves, as a "win." In fact, in many terrorists' calculations, our reaction to a failed attack (and definitely any overreaction) may be a higher-value target than the number of lives taken or assets destroyed.

Our answer to this threat, then, can not be the ones we would use on a conventional threat. We are learning (re-learning?) this in how we project our power, such as in the War in Afghanistan. These concepts; however, are more difficult to apply in the homeland defense and security, most notably because of the tension between security and freedom. While there is normalcy in restricted freedoms and a security mindset in the context of service in an expeditionary force, those measures run contrary to the values of a free society on the home front.

So, we are left with a dilemma: How do we prevent tomorrow's terror attack without doing the terrorist's job for him? Surely, some of this must come in technological advances in detection equipment, but if we rely only on technology and not on our greatest assets - our people - we might as well fight toothpaste with F-22s.

Coming soon: some possible solutions to the dilemma

The Crying Tree, by Naseem Rakha

I finished Naseem Rakha's highly-acclaimed novel, The Crying Tree, a couple weeks ago, but needed to process for a bit before I felt ready to write a review.

Although the enthusiastic recommendations of the Backspace community certainly helped, it was the premise of the book that drew me. For the past six years or so, I have been very interested in the concept and practice of forgiveness and reconciliation, especially how that applies in the most severe situations and particularly capital punishment. Ms Rakha treats this particular challenge beautifully.

Though this review is of Ms Rakha's book, I should mention two others that were the catalysts for my journey into a study of forgiveness and reconciliation: Why Forgive, by Johann Christoph Arnold, and Perry Yoder's treatise and word study on the Hebrew word and concept of Shalom. It should be no surprise that when I began this walk, it was anabaptists that mentored me.

The Crying Tree is the story of a mother's journey from despair after her only son's murder to forgiveness and even reconciliation with his murderer. That's a pretty short plot synopsis which does little justice to the story, and as I write this with my own son sitting on my lap the story's power returns to my heart.

Rakha has spent a lot of time in the prison system as a journalist, and her in-depth knowledge shows in the writing, but the storyline itself doesn't depend on the details but on the participants, particularly the emotional journey that Irene (the mother) follows. It's a journey in which I found myself entering and participating, all the time asking, "How could I forgive?"

I won't spoil the ending, but even the trailers will tell you that the primary conflicts presented involve not only her own challenges of forgiving and reconciling with her son's murderer, but the crises which arise among her friends, family, and community as she walks this path. One aspect that might raise the ire of religious readers is the caricature of her priest and other religious characters. On the other hand, those readers might instead take to heart that whether the depiction is correct or not, it is how much of the world views them.

As I followed Irene, it became obvious that it wasn't only the killer with whom she needed to reconcile, but also the vast array of other people involved in the tragedy. One of these people was herself, and as she comes to a clearer realization of the circumstances leading to her son's death, Irene arrives to a point where she must also forgive herself.

This leads to perhaps the greatest disappointment - that despite achieving reconciliation with her son's murderer, she doesn't reach this level with many others. In that aspect, Ms Rakha skillfully illustrates one of the great real-world tragedies of this life.

The Crying Tree, by Naseem Rakha

Broadway Books, 2009

www.naseemrakha.com

A Nickel on the Grass

The woman standing in front of me was wearing a black coat. We all flinched at the rifle fire, sounding so much closer in the freezing December air, but she nearly fell at the first volley. I heard a whimper, whether from her or someone else, I didn't know. Then, the quiet sounds of sniffs and wiped tears as her husband, an older veteran, pulled her closer. Two more sharp cracks of seven rifles each were followed by the mournful notes of "Taps."

Yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery, I said good bye to an American hero, Captain Nick "Rev" Giglio.

Rev died in a nighttime midair collision October 15th of this year while piloting his F-16C off the coast of South Carolina. He and his squadron were preparing to deploy, and the training necessary is sometimes more dangerous than actual combat.

Nick was a bit older when he entered Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT), having spent a few years prior as an Enlisted Airman, and his maturity helped not just himself but his class. In every graduating pilot training class, one or two are selected to be sent through even more training to become FAIPs, First Assignment Instructor Pilots. Nick had done well enough in training to qualify, and volunteered enthusiastically.

I was blessed to get to know Nick and his wife, Leigh, when he was in the middle of his 3-year tour as a FAIP. Back then, we called him "WACO," a name he had picked up in pilot training for an unfortunate incident where his enthusiasm overrode his adherence to procedure and he went into afterburner with the canopy open, or at least attempted to. Needless to say, his check pilot gave him another "opportunity" to try to pass that ride on a future date.

Any IP worth his salt has a deep care for his students ("studs"), but Waco stood out among others. He didn't just want them to learn. He wanted them to succeed. Waco was the kind of guy who, when he asked you, "How are you?" he was looking for an answer, not just giving a greeting. You could see it in his eyes.

Waco's care for his studs and prowess as an IP led to his selection as a Military Training Officer. MTOs supervise a flight of 12 to 15 studs at a time, teaching them not only about flying but also officership. They are the true front-line mentors, forming future warriors for the US and allied air forces, and guiding, helping, and sometimes disciplining very young officers whose thousand-hour mouths often outpace their fifty-hour hands.

Nick and Leigh dove into the lives of the studs and their families, as well as those of other young adults in the community. They were active in the squadron, their neighborhood, and their local church. We got to get to know them quite well, but so did many other people. When their daughter, Grace, was born... well, I could see from the way he held her that first day in the hospital that no matter how good of a FAIP and MTO he was, he'd be an even better father.

Waco did so well in his FAIP tour that he was selected for the F-16C, and last year he headed out the door and on to training. It takes about a year for a pilot, even a FAIP, to become a qualified "Viper" pilot, but he did it in world-class manner. The three of them moved to Shaw AFB, SC, and were eagerly awaiting the birth of their son at the time of Nick's death.

There were probably 200 people, maybe more, at Rev's Arlington funeral, so many that the pre-ceremony waiting room, and even the lobby itself, couldn't hold the crowd. The squadron mates in the four-ship "missing man" fly by, honor guard, military band, priest, and cemetery officials all did a wonderful job making the funeral a fitting and honorable tribute to this fallen hero.

After the ceremony, Quizmo Brown, a leader of the "River Rats" - www.river-rats.org - led comrades in the time-honored "nickel in the grass" tradition, saying goodbye to an incredible friend, brother, and comrade.

The River Rats, through the Air Warrior Courage Foundation, have established a college fund for the Giglio's children. You can learn more about this at either the fund's facebook page or at airwarriorcourage.org. Please note "Nicholas Giglio Family Fund" on your check or in the comments section of the online form.

"So here's a nickel on the grass to you, my friend, and your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice and courage - but most of all to your friendship. Yours is a dying breed and when you are gone, the world will be a lesser place." - Unknown

So goes Greece, so go other Democracies?

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100003_10/12/2009_113195

Greece's public debt is forecast to reach 130% of its GDP next year, and they're worried. Some call it the worst threat to national sovereignty since the end of the reign of the "Generals'" in 1974. Many leaders in the EU expect Greece to be the first nation in the Union to default on its debts.

The US is at 90%, forecast to get to 100% in 2011. When should we get worried?

Can a democracy exist once the people find ways to vote themselves into money?

Santa's Visit

There are some challenges to being the kid of a military guy, for sure, but also some great benefits. One of them is that we've got the assets to fly Santa in for an early visit every now and then! I've got some great pics of the kids clustered around him after engine shutdown, with huge smiles on all faces, but decided to keep them off the Internet.

A great time was had by all, and it was nice of Santa to take some time out of his busy December schedule!

Reconciliation

As you probably know, in 1994 Rwanda endured a genocidal massacre, where in the course of 100 days, a million people were killed in gruesome murders. You may not know that Rwanda has since made some great strides forward both socially and economically, resulting in their acceptance into the Commonwealth of former British colonies this week, only 15 years since those terrible days.

What has made this possible? Many things, but one of the most important has been a huge movement of reconciliation.

But I can't explain this nearly as well as someone who lived through both the terror and the hope. I listened to this podcast on my way to work and almost had to stop driving. It's that powerful. It's from a church, Mars Hill, but it's not about preaching and trying to convert you, it's about the incredible power of forgiveness.

Love Your Enemies - Rob Bell And Cyprian Nkiriyumwami

I'm tempted to add some quotes from a favorite book of mine, Why Forgive, by Johann Christoph Arnold, but I think the words from Mr Nkiriyumwami are enough to stand on their own.

Pat

Is the Military the only Option?

In the past posts, I've laid out my strategy for "diminishing warfare," and now the question is (especially in light of POTUS' decision to send more troops to Afghanistan), "Is the military the right implement for this strategy?" Well, yes and no...

The military may not be the best instrument to engage the problem of underlying conditions in a specific location or situation. In other cases, it may be the only means available, or a required operational element, because of the specialties and assets we bring to the environment, such as our abilities to deploy globally and operate in austere and/or hostile conditions. To ensure that we are ready to provide the National Command Authority the necessary capabilities to “engage the base,” we must:

1. Concentrate on strengthening and improving key relevant competencies such as IO, Joint and Interagency Integration, and Civil Affairs. Coordination with US and foreign government agencies, NGOs and PVOS, combined with coherent and effective IO, is critical to our abilities to operate on the “diminishing” front.

2. Recognize Our Diverse, but Limited Roles in DIME. We must emphasize to all of our forces, from flag officers down to E-1’s, that an American overseas in uniform is always, at least to some extent, a representative of the diplomatic and informational (and often economic) instruments of US power. To capitalize on these roles and opportunities, we must educate our service personnel about host cultures; national strategic, operational, and tactical objectives; and key messages we wish to convey in the region.

3. Listen and Observe at All Levels. Because of the environments and relationships in which we work, military personnel at all levels often are privy to intentional or unintentional communications, signals, or other information that could be vital to our efforts. The importance of listening, observing, and reporting must be stressed from the COCOM, who often has access to the highest levels with regional and national leadership, down to the soldier who interacts on a daily basis with local citizens.

Obviously, we must continue to stand in the forefront of our nation’s efforts to destroy and defend, as well as serving a large role in “deny.” However, we must also recognize that both the nature of the threat and the environment in which we engage it has changed significantly, and that “diminishing” – engaging the underlying conditions that spawn terrorist organizations – is essential to winning the GWOT.

What do you think? Please feel free to post comments below - I don't bite!

Diminishing Warfare: IO

After discussing the aspects of human dignity, partnerships, and mobilization of the American people, the fourth leg of what I call "diminishing wafare," the strategy of attacking the conditions which spawn terrorism and terrorist organizations, is information ops (IO), which sounds much more sinister than it is...

Conducting Coordinated and Coherent Information Operations. The “instantaneous communications, transportation networks, information exchange, technology, and free-flow of capital” of globalization have allowed relatively small organizations (like Al Quaeda) to have worldwide impact. We must take these lessons to heart and turn the advantage to our side. By using the assets of globalization intelligently, particularly in the area of Information Operations (IO), in a coherent and coordinated manner we can dramatically increase the impact of even small efforts towards our overall objectives while denying or hampering our adversary’s ability to do the same. The common saying, “perception is reality,” is false. However, in today’s globalized environment where information is accessible across the globe nearly instantly through a variety of media, perception certainly trumps reality in many cases. IO must be fully integrated into our efforts towards diminishing the underlying causes and aimed at three distinct audiences: the target population, the international and regional communities, and the United States public, with an emphasis on listening first, so that our message can be framed in culturally-aware manner which maximizes its impact on its intended audience. However, our IO also must exhibit a consistency which recognizes that messages aimed at one audience will be heard by all three:

a. Local Target Population. As the NSCT states, the reason that underlying unjust conditions provide such fertile soil for terrorist organizations is not that terrorism is a legitimate or effective approach to solving the problems, but that people affected by these conditions perceive terrorism as such. Our IO efforts, therefore, must convince the local target populations both that terrorism is not a legitimate manner in which to address injustice and oppression and that the United States, its allies, and its partners are engaging these problems effectively. In operations involving the military, obviously public announcements, liaisons with local leadership, and the Civil-Military Operations Center (CMOC) will play a large role. However, the most effective manner of communications at this level may be individual soldiers and units through their daily contacts and relationships with the populace.

b. International and Regional Communities. As partnerships in both the regional and international environments are vital to solving these sizable issues, our IO efforts must emphasize the legitimacy and efficacy of our efforts (giving leaders the political credibility to partner with us), while communicating the regional and world impact of the problems at hand and the corporate benefits of solving them (providing motivation to act). Combatant Commands play a significant role at this level of IO and must ensure that their messages are fully integrated with those of other agencies.

c. US Population. To mobilize the US public into action, our IO must educate the populace on the scope of the problems and the national interests involved in addressing them. IO must also detail available ways to “get involved,” as well as details of our efforts, challenges, and successes. The military can play a decisive part at this level through public information, constructive relationships news media, and existing IO entities (such as Combat Camera).

It is imperative that IO not stand on its own as a mere propaganda or deception plan, but be integrated into our overall efforts and based upon our desired perception of real and tangible initiatives and results.

Next, what role (if any) does the military have in this?