Soldier's Home : Generals, Reports, Headlines, and that One Family Sitting at Home

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Generals, Reports, Headlines, and that One Family Sitting at Home

David Botti

Adding himself to a growing list of former high-ranking military commanders to criticize U.S. handling of the Iraq war, retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez had harsh words for a number of government institutions last Friday.

"As a Japanese proverb says, `Action without vision is a nightmare,'" he said.

Such criticisms are becoming almost routine as the war continues, resulting in more Iraq debates, reflection, and headlines. What may not be realized, however, is the affect it has on military families.

Taking a look back at past military leaders speaking out along the same lines as Sanchez, there was General Zinni who highlighted "poor strategic thinking"; Generals Swannack and Riggs who had not-so-nice things to say about Donald Rumsfeld; and General Batiste who wrote "we went to war with the wrong war plan." These are just a few.

Now, take into account last month's report by General Petraeus citing some good progress in the war effort—and some bad.

Now, take into account last month's reports by the National Intelligence Estimate, and the Government Accountability Office, which had less optimistic outlooks.

Now, imagine yourself a parent who’s son has been in Iraq just two weeks, and still there hasn’t been an email or phone call. You have little idea of what your child is facing.

Now, consider what all these various sources combined are telling you about the war.

A little confusing, huh?

As I’ve seen in my own experience, and in the experience of fellow Marines, to our families the news story about a soldier is not about that soldier, but about their soldier.

The news story about Iraq is not about the war, but about their son or daughter’s safety overseas.

Imagine yourself the wife of a U.S. Marine bound for the Anbar province where the Corps has now operated for years. The Petraeus report says the military may pull troops from the area. This nebulous report, the top headline all over the world, could be saying your own husband may not go to war. Gen. Sanchez's comments seem to say all hope is lost.

This is not to say generals (or any other member of the military) should not speak their mind if they believe it's prudent. Nor does it mean we should not welcome any more reports on the progress in Iraq.

It's just worth keeping in mind reactions to such things may not be limited to a flurry of news coverage, and posturing on both sides of the war debate.

For some families in our country, news the headlines bring is still a matter of life and death.

The War, The Personal, In the News

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