On Combat

An interesting article has made the rounds on Small Wars Journal and Government Executive: Let Soldiers Blog, Post YouTube Videos, General Says By Greg Grant

Soldier and Commander access to digital media may be part of redefining maneuver warfare. Getting inside the enemy’s decision cycle now means time from observe-orient-decide-act-and now, report (i.e. put the story out).

Getting the word out first and fast may mean getting it out from the bottom up. Opening digital pipes at the bottom means more transparency, but more risk…some things will be good news, some will look bad. On average, we have to be rely on the motivation of US troops to be “strategic corporals” in getting the word out. The US must be proud and open about what our warriors are doing and should keep the digital gateways open.

To compete in the global information war played out on Web sites and e-mail, soldiers in Iraq should upload videos of their experiences in the combat zone to YouTube and post their personal stories online, a top Army general said recently — a recommendation that appears to run counter to Pentagon policy.

Digital age warfare requires that the Army change its “attitudes and the organizational culture,” which has discouraged soldiers from posting to YouTube or blogging, said Army Lt. Gen. William Caldwell

Insurgents in Iraq frequently post videos of roadside bomb and sniper attacks on Web sites for propaganda purposes. “The first images broadcast become reality to viewers,” Caldwell said. “We have to get our images out first.” He suggested that unit leaders be given camcorders to document combat operations and daily life.