Why do militaries allow secrets and plans to be known through media and documentaries ?

[beagle9]

I just don't get it....... I understand that nation's want to show or boast about their capabilities, but wouldn't it be best to keep most all military capabilities and weapons platforms secret ?
It seems that we have a serious problem with boasting, and then allowing our media and wanta be internet documentarians to put up material that shows strategies, plan's, weapons choices, and the actual designs of such weapons and their effectiveness.

Why ?

 

[1srelluc]

Documentaries?​

Dude, your tinfoil is tighter than mine.

 

[Seth]

I just don't get it....... I understand that nation's want to show or boast about their capabilities, but wouldn't it be best to keep most all military capabilities and weapons platforms secret ?
It seems that we have a serious problem with boasting, and then allowing our media and wanta be internet documentarians to put up material that shows strategies, plan's, weapons choices, and the actual designs of such weapons and their effectiveness.

Why ?

Great question—this one's got more layers than a classified lasagna.

Militaries do keep the real top-shelf secrets hidden: things like classified specs, operational doctrine, and whatever’s in Area 51 that keeps the generals up at night. What makes it into documentaries is usually the sanitized, pre-approved-for-public-consumption stuff—just enough sizzle to impress the taxpayers, scare the rivals, and keep the defense contracts rolling.

Think of it like showing just enough of your poker hand to make the other guy nervous, while quietly hiding a bazooka under the table.

And don’t underestimate the power of marketing—nothing sells a budget increase like slow-mo missile launches, epic narration, and a shot of a general dramatically staring into the sunset.

So yeah, some of it’s boasting, some of it’s strategic, and some of it is Hollywood with a security clearance.

 

[beagle9]

Documentaries?​

Dude, your tinfoil is tighter than mine.

Tinfoil eh ? Ok, is it just me or is anyone else seeing this type of thing going on in our media and internet concerning these wanta be so called journalists/documentarians ?

 

[1srelluc]

Tinfoil eh ? Ok, is it just me or is anyone else seeing this type of thing going on in our media and internet concerning these wanta be so called journalists/documentarians ?

Since you are doing tinfoil......How do you know that they are not designed to mislead the enemy?

 

[beagle9]

Great question—this one's got more layers than a classified lasagna.

Militaries do keep the real top-shelf secrets hidden: things like classified specs, operational doctrine, and whatever’s in Area 51 that keeps the generals up at night. What makes it into documentaries is usually the sanitized, pre-approved-for-public-consumption stuff—just enough sizzle to impress the taxpayers, scare the rivals, and keep the defense contracts rolling.

Think of it like showing just enough of your poker hand to make the other guy nervous, while quietly hiding a bazooka under the table.

And don’t underestimate the power of marketing—nothing sells a budget increase like slow-mo missile launches, epic narration, and a shot of a general dramatically staring into the sunset.

So yeah, some of it’s boasting, some of it’s strategic, and some of it is Hollywood with a security clearance.

Great response !!

Prior to the Iranian strike package sent, I was watching on YouTube videos (the strategy, the type weapons to be used, the operation of those weapons, and the build graphics and blue print break down of those weapons)... It appeared to me to be like watching a classified briefing prior to a mission, and that to me is a totally outrageous thing that could actually cause a foe with the right counter capabilities to prepare for an incoming mission where they might get lucky based upon our idiocy that allows boasting and secrets to be plastered on line prior to a mission.

 

[beagle9]

Since you are doing tinfoil......How do you know that they are not designed to mislead the enemy?

Could be, but after the mission was completed, I didn't see where any of what I was seeing prior, would actually have mislead the enemy in any such a way.

I saw it as pure boasting, and possibly an undermining of the upcoming mission by giving to much information prior to a mission taking place.

 

[luiza]

It was all Theatre from start to finish .
Most Geo Political moves are .

As a least important effect ,it provides Topics like this one on a Chat site

 

[beagle9]

It was all Theatre from start to finish .
Most Geo Political moves are .

As a least important effect ,it provides Topics like this one on a Chat site

Theater ? In what way ?

 

[John Edgar Slow Horses]

I just don't get it....... I understand that nation's want to show or boast about their capabilities, but wouldn't it be best to keep most all military capabilities and weapons platforms secret ?
It seems that we have a serious problem with boasting, and then allowing our media and wanta be internet documentarians to put up material that shows strategies, plan's, weapons choices, and the actual designs of such weapons and their effectiveness.

Why ?

Ask Pete Hagseth.

 

[beagle9]

Ask Pete Hagseth.

Goes way beyond Pete Hegaseth..

 

[John Edgar Slow Horses]

Pete Hegseth is the gold standard of "let's tell everyone what we are doing!"

 

[beagle9]

Pete Hegseth is the gold standard of "let's tell everyone what we are doing!"

Like I said, this stuff goes far beyond Pete Hegseth, the current administration and etc. For some reason we seem to want to boast and reveal technologies that are better left secret until strike.

 

[PeterPilot]

I just don't get it....... I understand that nation's want to show or boast about their capabilities, but wouldn't it be best to keep most all military capabilities and weapons platforms secret ?
It seems that we have a serious problem with boasting, and then allowing our media and wanta be internet documentarians to put up material that shows strategies, plan's, weapons choices, and the actual designs of such weapons and their effectiveness.

Why ?

Good question, simple answer. Referencing Edward Bernays comments a century ago, the military and virtually ALL federal agencies are more interested in manipulating the public perception than they are in constitutional governance or the will of the people. They construct narratives and then defend those narratives in the public square. Daniel Ellsberg showed that with the Pentagon Papers.

Only fools believe the stories told by known liars.