Rules of Engagement Kills soldiers

In guerrilla warfare, the enemy does not play fair. The enemy knows about the "rules of engagement" and seeks to take advantage of that knowledge only to make the opposing forces appear as violators. In the case of Iraq, the US Armed Forces are loosing a lot of soldiers to IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices) every day.

Which leads me to this question, what counter measures are the US government creating to protect our soldiers against them? And we are not just talking about deaths due to IED's, but also disabling injuries to thousands of soldiers. How about those HUM Vee's? Most of those vehicles are death traps in the urban war setting. And are not full armor proof.

The more governments attempt to civilize war or turn it into a so called gentleman's fight by establishing rules, the more vulnerable our soldiers become and the more creative the enemy will win small destructive battles against our armed forces. Prosecuting soldiers for war crimes will not calm or stop the enemy from working.

The story of "Blackhawk down" traveled around the world especially into the enemies hands. They learned how vulnerable a great armed forces can be in a urban warfare environment and most prospective enemies know they can not win against our technology and resources. Sorry, no head to head competitive battles in the deserts or jungles anymore. Why urban?

Because the enemy knows that we are humane and will go through great lengths to avoid collateral damage. In fact, the more collateral damage, the better for the enemy. Why? They can manipulate the victims emotionally to join opposing forces with inflammatory speeches and other propaganda.

In addition, the enemy can also frame our soldiers easily for murder. They can put our military field officers in jeopardy of court martial and the evidence appearing against them while investigating incidents. Instead, it seems good officers and or none commissioned officers and other soldiers are caught in the middle of politics becoming liabilities instead.

Rules of engagement are killing and permanently injuring our soldiers and destroying there honor and or integrity. Are there any solutions? Long term solutions does not create an itch that politicians want to scratch. Only short term solutions, the quick and easy seem to peak significant interest of politicians. Hey perhaps we can't blame politicians completely, they only do what the people demand mostly, of course the people can also include special interest groups and corporate.

Our US Armed Forces ultimately fight for each other and there own survival. They love there country, but it is the guy next to them in combat that matters most. And rules of engagement and the lack of unit support in time of need kills our soldiers and who is liable for that? --- Pall Stanley