It was a Republican President and a Five Star General that warned us about the 'Military Industrial Complex'
It is real.
When we first sent a few hundred SF Soldiers (VERY few, maybe a couple hundred -- TOPS) we did in 6 Months what the entire Russian Army couldn't do in ten years. Whupped the shit out of the morons.
But, the Big Generals, with the Big Units and the Big Tanks, and the Big Artillery wanted in on it.
So, like the pesky little brother that won't leave you alone, the Jarheads wanted in on it..Even though there was nothing for them to do. Except wander around the countryside pissing off the Locals and make themselves targets.
Then the Navy..... Well, if there's fighting going on the Navy just has to be let in on it.
How else are they supposed to get promotions??
Not picking on the Navy. The whole, entire Conventional Military is like that.
They can't STAND to see Special Forces do what they do..... Only better. With far fewer casualties all around.
Plus, and this is key..... There's no rank in Special Forces for commissioned ossifers. SF is centered around the enlisted Man. Plenty of rank for them but -- Virtually None for the commissioned, braided political Corps of sham officers.
It's complicated but I think it's one reason why Mattis was let go.
Trump meant well bringing him in but, if you remember (I'm not delusional enough or self-centered enough to think anybody would) I was against Mattis from the get-go.
Didn't like him them, don't like him now.
He is everything that's wrong with our Military.
These little 'Brush Wars'? That's what Special Forces is for.
Not for Big Generals with Big Units (Divisions, Corps) to make a mess of and get promotions from.
They just get in the way.
Now -- If we ever get into it with China or Russia......... OH HELL YES!! We need those Big Units with their Big Tanks and Big Guns.
But these little dust-ups? It's ridiculous to send them over there to muck everything up.
Let the guys who know what they're doing handle them while the Big Generals keep the Caddies at the Base Golf Course occupied