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| Yon Gets an Intervention |
| 2010-04-24 |
| Interesting take from the USNI over Michael Yon's recent remarks about Afghan operations: The conclusion: Every man has to find his own way in life — but sometimes it is helpful to check around and grab hold of an external reference point. Anyone who has gone through the helo-dunker emergency egress training knows what I am talking about. When everything and everyone around you all of a sudden seems out of kilter and swirling in chaos — it might be helpful to ponder if the problem isn't what is around you — but just you. The war will go on — the story will continue to be told — but everyone needs some time away. 6-months, 12-months — some time to clear the mind and reset perspective. Just a thought. |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #12 After a time, the beast that helps you survive finds it doesn't like being put back in the box. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2010-04-24 22:01 |
| #11 You could see it in his posts. He was frustrated, angry, and tired. His lashing out a the Canadian General was childish and made it clear to me he needed a break, and I reflected it to him on many posts, he needed to take some time to reflect his position in this war. Yon is not a demon, he is tired and frustrated, we have all been there. What he has missed is having a close friend or "Ranger Buddy" that needs to put him in a headlock, slap him in the back of the head, and tell him to shake it off and take a lap. Then once perspective is back, help him get back in the fight. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2010-04-24 18:58 |
| #10 Ernie Pyle had to be pulled out after a while for a breather. Actually, I think we need him down south on our own southern border where the MSM isn't. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2010-04-24 17:36 |
| #9 "I get the feeling that Obama is tougher and proving wiser than many people seem to think".[ Michael Yon, June 2009 |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-04-24 14:15 |
| #8 on the same token there are a lot of politics involved with who gets a star these days and who does not. Always has been. Probably less today than yesterday. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2010-04-24 14:10 |
| #7 I know spec ops guys who were officers Me too. I know some who still are. My point is that Yon didn't lead at the battalion, brigade or higher level. And operations in SOCOMM are a lot different than regular army operations in their scope. He just doesn't have any experience at that level, which means he's never made anywhere near the kind of leadership decisions required of the officers he's trashed publicly lately. I keep that in mind when I read him. |
| Posted by: lotp 2010-04-24 14:04 |
| #6 on the same token there are a lot of politics involved with who gets a star these days and who does not. |
| Posted by: Broadhead6 2010-04-24 13:06 |
| #5 It used to be said that the real difference between a Colonel and a General is that Colonel is the highest "fighting" rank. Those on the promotable list must be able to "put away childish things", and take on a whole new perspective. Many of the fighting Colonels are damn good at what they do, but they just cannot let go of tactics, and move on to strategy, politics and diplomacy. During a war, the top fighting Colonels will sometimes get promoted to Brigadier, but there they stay, because it soon becomes clear that their heart is with the troops. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-04-24 12:10 |
| #4 I know spec ops guys who were officers |
| Posted by: 746 2010-04-24 11:47 |
| #3 I would guess that the worst part of being an embed if one has served previously is that you get all the anxiety/adrenaline without being able to act. Yon's spec ops background has served him well but it does also mean he never had higher level command experience, which gives rather a different perspective on wider war issues. I've always read his reporting with that in mind. |
| Posted by: lotp 2010-04-24 10:39 |
| #2 Could be battle fatigue. Time for some well deserved R&R. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-04-24 09:42 |
| #1 That was pretty much my take. Yon's lost his bearings here, based on the tone of his posts. |
| Posted by: lotp 2010-04-24 09:37 |