[Dean's World] Dave Price: Ho-Hum, . Yet Another "Progress In Iraq" News Story

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dave Price:
Ho-Hum,. Yet Another "Progress In Iraq" News Story
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1194931122.shtml


   What was once cause for wonder [1]is becoming routine:

     Declines in Iraqi civilian and U.S. military casualties in the past
     few months and talk among U.S. commanders of an emerging air of
     optimism and civic revival in some Baghdad neighborhoods point to
     positive security trends.
     Although more U.S. troops have died in Iraq this year â at least
     856 â than in any year since the war began in 2003, the monthly
     count has declined substantially since summer. Iraqi civilian
     deaths also have declined.

   The article focuses on the numbers, which are scheduled to start
   coming down; oddly, it still seems very unclear to people that the
   primary difference in the surge is not then numbers but the tactics.
   Creating small, permanent mutually-supporting join U.S.-Iraqi
   garrisons in constant contact with the locals has been an incredibly
   effective tactic, so much so that when histories of this war are
   written the main criticism may be that it took so long to employ it.
   The ability to adapt has often been critical to Western success in
   battle and the expansion of liberal democracy. Another such
   innovation, less talked about, is something called [2]Warrior
   Transition Units.

     Under the new formation, each company boasts a staff of 50,
     including 18 squad leaders, 12 case managers and headquarters
     staff. Squad leaders, case managers and primary care managers will
     all be integrated into the patient care plan and, for the first
     time, all three will be working within the same brigade.
     ...
     The unitâs top NCO, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Hartless, said the
     squad leaders will provide hands-on, eyes-on leadership that was
     absent when the center came under fire for poor outpatient soldier
     care.
     âThat squad leader is your mother. Heâs your father. Heâs your
     brother. Heâs your best friend. Heâs someone you can talk to,â
     Hartless said. âHeâs someone who fixes your problems.â

   This initiative sounds like it might help cut through the Army's
   infamous red tape and help our bravest Americans get the care they
   need more efficiently.
   (Hat tip to my source on this, whom I'm not sure I should identify)

References

   1. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/iraq_security_gains_13;_ylt=And4vWPS1AtmLk75KWyNpuNX6GMA
   2. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=32950