Military News – Females to take boxing at West Point, how to rebuild Mosul after the ISIS, to fix Syria look to Afghanistan, arming the Kurds, and more.

West Point Boxing – Women Required to Participate. Female cadets in their plebe year at the Army academy are now required to get in the ring. They will fight bouts with other women and probably spar a bit with men in their own weight class. Second year they take wrestling; probably against other women as well. Read more in “West Point women have a new, bloody requirement as the Army completes gender integration”, The Washington Post, September 21, 2016.

Rebuilding Mosul? Once the Iraqi military (aided by Shia militia groups and the Peshmerga) take Mosul from ISIS – what happens next? For starters basic government services need to be re-established. There are some ways that the U.S. government can assist in this huge endeavor. Read more in “After Mosul Falls, How Much Rebuilding Help Should the US Give?”, Defense One, September 19, 2016.

‘Noose Tightening’ in Mosul Battle. In other military news, General Dunford (CJCS), had some comments on the upcoming battle to retake Mosul. (U.S. DoD News Release, Sep 20, 2016).

Responding to Moscow’s Propaganda? Neutralizing Russia’s influence operations will need to be a priority over the near term and possibly into the future. Read more in “To Counter Russian Disinformation, Look to Cold War Tactics”, Defense One, September 20, 2016.

For a Clue on Syria Look to Afghanistan. One writer examines the Soviet experience in Afghanistan for the way forward in Syria. Read “What the Soviet Defeat in Afghanistan Tells Us about Syria”, The National Interest, September 19, 2016.

Arming the Kurds? The most dependable U.S. allies in the Middle East (besides Jordan, Israel, UAE, and a few others) are the Kurds. Read “Obama Administration Considers Arming Syrian Kurds Against ISIS”, The New York Times, September 21, 2016.

Military Update 20160825 – Strategic Landpower, taking care of our Infantry (by MG Scales – ret), more Reaper drones for the Air Force, debate about our military readiness, and more.

More Reapers for Air Force. The Air Force has contracted with General Atomics for more MQ-9 Reaper drones. The contract is worth over $370 million. Read more in a news story by Air Force Times, August 16, 2016.

U.S. Military’s Readiness – What is the Real Story? Some defense observers are saying that our military is suffering from a readiness crisis. They contend that the military is over-extended, too small, underfunded, and lacking proper equipment and training. Others say that we are doing just fine. Retired General David Petraeus argues that the military readiness is a myth (see news report in Military.com,  Aug 10, 2016). Retired General Carter Ham says that Petraeus is wrong and we do have some ‘Readiness Woes’ (see news report in DoD Buzz, Aug 17, 2016). Hmmmm.

What About Our Infantry? The majority of military deaths since World War II have come from the ranks of the infantry. The infantry is just a small part of our military but does the bulk of the fighting. Retired MG Robert Scales talks about the outcomes when we don’t prioritize the needs of the infantry. Read more in “Why Aren’t We Doing More for the Infantry”, Task & Purpose, August 18, 2016.

Strategic Landpower. ML Cavanaugh provides his thoughts on a neglected policy inititive in “Strategic Landpower is Dead. Long Live Strategic Landpower”, Modern War Institute, West Point, August 14, 2016.

Military History 20160824 – Once a week we look into the past to bring to you recent news reports and stories about past military operations, conflicts, weapons and more. This week: What Soldiers carried in Vietnam, importance of historical unit patches, where did the “Green Tab” come from, book reviews on WWII special operations, and a old Soldier passes on.

“What They Carried”. Soldiers and Marines who fought in the Vietnam War carried many things to include P-38 can openers, heat tabs, ponchos, Zippo lighters for their cigarettes, gum, LRRP rations, and more. Read “What They Carried”, Pulse, August 12, 2016.

Army’s ‘Green Tab’. The green tab worn by unit commanders and senior NCOs are the result of General Eisenhower in World War II. Read “Genesis of the Army Green Tab”, by Major Matt Cavanaugh, Modern War  Institute, West Point, September 15, 2014.

General Vessey Dies. Retired Army Gen. John W. Vessey was a World War II veteran who rose from a Minnesota National Guard private to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Besides taking part in the Normandy Beach landings in WWII he was instrumental in the defeat of the Soviet Union in ‘The Cold War’. Read more in a report by the Association of the United States Army, August 19, 2016.

Battle of Long Tan (Vietnam 50 Yrs Ago). Last week marked the anniversary of a battle that took place in Vietnam that killed 18 Australians and many more Vietnamese Soldiers. Usually a commemorative event is held at the site of the battle but this year the Vietnamese government cancelled it at the last minute. Read more in “Long Tan: The Battle Haunting Australia – Vietnam Ties 50 Years After It Ended”, War on the Rocks, August 22, 2016.

Importance of Historic Army Unit Patches. To those who served in the U.S. Army the unit shoulder patch is an important symbol. Read one Army officer’s feelings on the topic in The Power of the Patch, by James King, Modern War Institute at West Point, August 21, 2016.

Book on SOE, Spies, and WWII. Read a book review on Spies in the Congo: The Race for the Ore that Built the Atomic Bomb and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: Churchill’s Mavericks Plotting Hitler’s Defeat in “The business of war – and espionage – is never gentlemanly”, The Spectator (UK), August 20, 2016.