The troops really do need you, America. Troops Need You is implementing the plan for victory in Iraq. But this plan does not come from Potomac Politicians or even Baghdad Bureaucrats. This plan comes from the troops themselves. Major Eric Egland (Reserve) wrote 'The Troops Need You, America: Six Ways to Help Them Win,' based on the collective wisdom of the hundreds of combat innovators he patroled with as a counter-terrorism advisor in Iraq. Right now, Troops Need You is implementing the most critical pillar of the plan: Step 3 -- Give Deployed Tactical Commanders the Resources They Need.
In plain English, it means that the troops on the ground have what they need for themselves, but they need resources that they can use to persuade the Iraqis to stand up for security and the new government. When we give them what they need, they help us by providing key intelligence tips and taking more responsibility for their fledgling government.
Ideally, the federal government would get the aid to the troops on the ground. But, for various bureaucratic reasons that are unlikely to change quickly, this is not happening. So, it is up to the American people to get involved and help the troops directly by donating their money and time--before time runs out.
Your financial support is vital. So far, individual donations have ranged from $10 to $2,000. Troops Need You has already raised over $20,000 and shipped over $10,000 in goods--a phenomenal amount in just a few months--and more shipments are being prepared right now. But there are fifty battalions operating in the most critical areas and they need about $5,000 worth of goods per month.
By donating, volunteering and telling others about Troops Need You, you can do your part to continue the proud American tradition of mobilizing in direct support of our troops in harm's way. Success in Iraq is vital to our own national security, so It is up to us to unite and meet the demand of the dozens of combat battalions who need our help.
Let's help the troops succeed!
1. Can the U.S. still succeed in Iraq?
Yes. Our troops have made incredible progress, but leaders in Washington and Baghdad need to allow them to finish the mission by embracing some common sense changes. We are running out of time, though, so American citizens need to get involved and the new book, The Troops Need You, America explains how.
2. Can the American people actually help win in Iraq?
Yes. The American people support the troops and want them to complete the mission and come home. Currently, Americans feel the most they can do to support the troops is to offer prayers, care packages and bumper stickers. The Troops Need You, America! shows them how to support the troops to victory.
3. How can an average American help the troops win?
By taking action regarding the six steps in The Troops Need You, America! In some cases, such as the recommendation for Online Troop Support Registries, the American people can help the troops directly. For the changes that require leaders in Congress, the Pentagon and Baghdad (whose salaries are paid by taxpaying Americans) to change, the book shows how to organize locally, contact the media, and call for public officials to support the plan from the troops.
The key to victory is security, since democracy is already moving ahead. Security will be a reality when the Iraqi people have an effective nationwide neighborhood watch program that identifies insurgents and terrorists, and are able to quickly contact well-trained Iraqi Security Forces to stop them.
5. What is the fundamental problem?
There is still too much bureaucracy, a defensive mindset, inadequate training and intelligence, and a near-absolute fear of the media. These factors have undermined the substantial success the troops have achieved on the ground.
We need to listen to the commander of units at the lowest echelons, such as battalions, because they face the localized insurgency every day and know what is really going on in their neighborhoods. If we don’t start listening to the troops, and changing the way we support them, we may lose in Iraq. The Troops Need You, America explains the status quo, what needs to change, and how you can make it happen.
The most important change is to empower the troops to work with Iraq’s security forces and civilians to identify adversaries and, rather than trying to chase them, setting traps to catch them. Troops have done this successfully in pockets of excellence all over Iraq, but these effective principles must be applied more broadly against an adaptive adversary.
8. Is The Troops Need You, America your plan?
No. The plan involves six steps that are best practices in Iraq, and exemplify what our amazing troops and leaders have already done in some parts of Iraq. But despite our pockets of success, a flexible adversary continues to simply shift operations to more permissive environments, so we need to apply the models of success more broadly. As for my role, it is an honor to serve as scribe, messenger and advocate.
9. What about the current strategy, or the plans from the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group or Congress?
The current strategy can work. But so far, the plans to make it happen have come from Washington and Baghdad—and they have not led to victory. Fighting a localized insurgency requires broad guidance with a locally tailored implementation.
None of the above. Everyone involved has performed admirably, and course corrections are an inevitable part of any significant national undertaking. We are fighting a thinking adversary in a highly localized insurgency so we should be willing to make course corrections to allow our troops to finish the job.
11. Should we “Cut and Run” or accept “More of the Same?”
Neither. That was a false choice presented in the 2006 election. We need to remain committed to succeed in Iraq because failure would be a disaster for our military and for security of the Middle East and the United States. At the same time, being committed should not preclude making some common sense changes based on the fact that what we are already doing is not leading toward victory.
12. I am against the war. Why should I support this plan?
This plan will help the troops succeed so they can come home sooner, which means saving our nation’s blood and treasure. Four years ago, our national leaders cast a decisive bi-partisan vote to send our troops to remove Saddam Hussein by force. Once those troops came under fire, it is our duty to support them and the mission our nation sent them to do. At the same time, our leaders must be humble enough to make course corrections now, and once the mission is complete we need a thorough review of the effectiveness of our intelligence community.