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The 1991 Persian Gulf War was the first of America’s conflicts where a large, standing military force was maintained, equipped, and trained to be ready for the early battles of a major regional conflict. Of these, none was more important than the Battle of 73 Easting. Strangely, even trained military historians know very little about these engagements, much less about the vast influence they have had on the post-Cold War Army. American casualties were less than minuscule, suffering more from “friendly fire” than anything sent back from the Iraqis. The result was a string of victories, particularly on the ground, which were not even close. The names also remind us that enemies usually attack us when they perceive weakness and an inability to be hurt in the effort. Usually, these battles remind us of the fact that the Army in the early battles of a conflict is made up of citizen soldiers led by a cadre of peacetime officers, not used to the fast pace, physical rigors, and mental stress of war. Names like First Manassas, Kasserine Pass, and Task Force Smith are touchstones for American leaders, as they recall the U.S. Army, which has lost many of its “first battles” during the roughly 225 years it has served the nation. This has been particularly true with the U.S. There is an old training axiom that a military force usually learns a great deal more from their defeats than from victories on the battlefield.
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