On the 4GW FMFM-1A Draft 1: Corruption

On the 4GW FMFM-1A Draft 1: Corruption

William S. Lind: FMFM 1-A, Fourth Generation War, Is Now Available.

I read the 4GW FMFM-1A Draft, posted last week on Defense and the National Interest, and found it interesting and informative. It's nice to see some people still have brains. I appreciate their sense of honor. I'm not sure a decadent society can produce the significant numbers required.

I am obviously not a military type. However, I am someone who has lived in the middle of a few gang wars (as a neutral observer) and seen some of tactics of which they speak, and the police response (or lack thereof). My comments are directed along those lines. I will be intentionally vague about certain details. I know when to shut my mouth in return for a certain kind of freedom.

The theme is about de-escalation. Who needs more enemies?

I will present an excerpt, and then give my notes as a response.

Also Thoughts on FMFM 1-A. First comments, by an anonymous observer. I agreed with much of it. Bureaucracies do not allow discretionary funds. It will lead to corruption (see below and Here.)

Excerpt:

"Its only purpose is to further our understanding of Fourth Generation war in ways that are useful to those Americans who have to fight such wars, including Marines."

What can I say?

Excerpt: "For Marines in Fourth Generation situations, the policeman is a more appropriate model than the soldier. Soldiers are taught that, if they are not achieving the result they want, they should escalate: call in more troops, more firepower, tanks, artillery, aviation, etc. In this respect Marines may find their own training for war against other state armed forces works against them. Marines must realize that in Fourth Generation war, escalation almost always works to the advantage of their opponents. We cannot stress this point too strongly. Marines must develop a "de-escalation mindset," along with supporting tactics and techniques."

About 10 years ago, I witnessed a turf battle by two entirely different gangs over control of a primary crack cocaine sales point. One side were crazy locals; the other was a group of African veterans. Before the party was brought to an end by federal intervention, I saw that corner change hands several times. The locals employed hit-and-run tactics in muscle cars (always driven by women). A kid blown away in the front yard, after trying to rip them off over crack, was tossed in a trunk. They were long gone by the time the police arrived. You can bet the crabs fed well. The opposition ran their operation on foot like a military operation. They would place pickets and use hand signals. They knew how to shoot. The police did not dare bother either, provided nobody had any reason to call. Their patrols were timed. The drug dealers took a break. I never locked my door. The gang members would warn us to get off the street. Except for the inter-gang violence, a kind of order was maintained. Too much money was to be had. Some police had closer working relationships. Quiet can be the result of official corruption. I have seen cops guard their pet crack dealers. Eventually, the two gangs became so violent with each other the feds had to take them out. The less violent remnants quietly drew turf lines that are now rarely violated. Of course, the corruption remains. This type of tactic will lead to corruption.

Excerpt: "De-escalation and proportionality in turn require Marines to be able to empathize with the local people. If they regard the local population with contempt, this contempt will carry over into their actions. Empathy cannot simply be commanded; developing it must be part of Marines' training."

Act decently and you'll probably find others do the same. However, bad apples can ruin the whole barrel (see above.) 4GW forces often fund their activites through drug sales. Corruption is inevitable.