Why we are losing the fight (posted with permission)

[Adroth]

The following essay, circulated in a mailing list that I joined a while back, highlights just how important the basics really are. I had originally planned to add this to the Have we really taken care of the basics?, but realized it really deserved a thread all its own.

I once asked a retired Ranger about why the US was giving our troops basic training. It seemed odd that after 40 years of fighting experience, the relatively inexperienced Americans were teaching us the A-B-Cs. He said that the refresher was necessary, and the reasons were complicated. Now I know why 

When the poster gave me permission to post this, he asked that I add a caveat so that it is taken in perspective. No caveat can improve on the poster's own email shown below:

Adroth,

Permission granted. I hope it can help our leaders (and future leaders) to reinvent their policies and programs to improve our organization. Please emphasize that this is not intended to become a desctructive criticism but an honest personal observation on realistic scenarios that happen in the Philippine Army.  Hoooah!

----- ~~~ ---

Why are we losing the fight?

It should be noted that this particular encounter occurred in Luba Hill-Kagay-Tanum Complex of Patikul, Sulu.
 
The Army  must come up with an in-depth analysis why many soldiers had perished in this particular area. When I was in Sulu 6yrs ago, several soldiers from different units were killed in this area such as the 4th Inf Bn (4-6soldiers),  77th IB (2LT PASWIK and many others were beheaded), Marine Recon Company (more than 10KIA).
 
There might be many reasons why we suffered humiliating defeats here (someone may not agree that we were always defeated in this particular area). We can cite some reasons which actually boil down to METT-TC factors. I have my own personal observations too.
 
Bgy Kagay and the Luba Hill area are the MNLF-held "territories". Here, former MNLF fighters  who were not integrated into the AFP are establishing a stronghold.  There should be no problem if  these people have embraced peaceful lives as  ordinary citizens. Like the Hezbollah of Southern Lebanon, they retained their firearms while "talking" about "peace". Insha allah, they must talk real peace!
 
During our patrols, we are supposed to "inform" them that we will be "passing" through their territory to avoid "misencounter". There were many instances that the ASG rebels who were pursued from their strongholds in Karawan and Makam Complex, Mt Tumatangis-Tubora, Mt Sinumaan-Mt Tunggul-Mt Munggit and Bud Bagsak complex find a safe haven in Luba Hill area under the "protection" of their cousins/ex-comrades/brothers in Islam who are members of the MNLF. Sometime in December 2000, when the MNLF forces in this area were bombarded after the brutal killing of 77IB soldiers, the artillery pieces went silent after a powerful "bulong" was given to a military commander. This is not the case when the American soldiers of Gen Pershing perished from the dreaded "juramentados". Im referring to some of the brave Tausugs who established "cottas" in Bud Daho and Bud Bagsak because they refused to be subjugated by the Christians. Instead of hearing the Sultan and his advisers, the Americans surrounded the area and annihilated the "rebels" until some of them capitulated. Maybe, the IDF (Israeli Military, not the Jolo Internal Defense Force) have read this historical account too.
I always opposed the idea that government forces must "ask permission" to conduct operations in MNLF held territories. Even if you don't inform them, you still face the probability of getting ambushed if you happen to meet some local villagers in their farmlands. After all, this villager can be one of your enemy. Now, bakit tayo mag-paalam sa kanila? Mag-paalam para ang kinakandong nila na mga ASG ay makalayas? Magpaalam para makapag-set up sila ng magandang ambush sa atin?  How many times have we caught the ASG rebels with MNLF Identification cards with them? Ustadz Haber and Ajibon can always deny them anyway. Alam naman natin na binebenta rin nila ang kanilang ID sa kapwa nila Tausug!
 
On the other hand, we must look on the skills and discipline of our soldiers. It is said that excellent techniques, tactics and procedures on combat operations cannot be replaced by technological advancements. Dami nating iniisip na hi-tech na gamit like thermal imager, "game-finder", sniper rifles, etc pero BAKIT tila nakalimutan nating tunay na i-improve ang ating training? Kapag speeches, ang gaganda ng ating mga ideas pero sa katotohanan, walang implementation! Here are my comments on our levels of training:
 
    1) Individual training. During CS training, sabi nyong mga trainor at mga officers, "Ipagtabas muna natin at magtanim ng kahoy ang mga CS kasi matuto rin yan during  JWMOC/SROC". Nang mag-SROC na, pinagtatabas pa rin. Ang iba, tagalinis sa bahay ni Sergeant at alalay ni Sir. During graduation, meron patanga-tangang nag-graduate na nagtataka na "sundalo" na pala sya!!!! Ito palagay ko ang isa sa tumatakbo sa gyera kaya napupugutan ang iba nating sundalo (56IB in Akle, San Ildefonso, Bulacan; 77IB of Sulu; 18IB in Tuburan, Basilan; 32SFC in Pampangan, Lantawan Basilan; 10IB in Suicide Hill, Makiri Basilan at meron din nag-iisang Scout Ranger na sa sobrang nerbyos sa Puno Mohaji, iniwan ang M60MG at umuwi na!). If anyone wants to challenge this claim, let us conduct skills inventory on our soldiers and even the new graduates of the CSC. Kung sobra 50% dyan eh di marunong magbasa ng mapa at mag-navigate, di makapatama ng baril at 100-250m, di makapag-execute ng IAD siguro naman ay tanggapin dapat nating FAILURE ang ating training!
 
  2) Team/Squad training. As expected, kung mahina ang foundation ng individual training, tigok ka rin sa Team training. How can you have an effective squad/team that will move and fight as a unit if the individual soldiers are ill-trained? How can you let them perform Patrol Base Operations, Recon and Surveillance and Link-up Operations when they had only mastered everything else EXCEPT military skills and knowledges? Marami nga sundalo natin, nagretire na lang, di pa rin natuto ng Troop Leading Procedures!
 
 3)  Unit training. Same as Para 2. In addition, during training sessions, ayaw sumali ang ibang officers kasi "alam na raw nila". Damuho, let us lead by good example! How can we conduct a company level training if  as a Company Commander, you are gallivanting in SM Megamall?  Kung nangyayari ito sa Company level, think about the Battalion Level training. Yong office boy na Bn Commander na ayaw mag-exercise, prefer to sleep and bolahize with civilian friends than joining the training sessions. Pambihira sa Army natin ang Bn Cmdr na tunay na masigasig sa kanyang trabaho. Sa mga na-observe naming junior officers, di sosobra sa "ten little fingers".
 
Dami nang mga Bn Retraining na declared as "success" daw sa After Training Report. Ewan lang kung totoo. Those who are directly involved should know better. Kung ang palagay mo magaling na ang mga sundalo at unit mo, syempre ayaw mo na mag conduct ng sustainment training. Magsasabong at sumapi ka na lng kapatiran siguro para maging busy ka.
 
These are problems that everyone must help to come up with a solution. Nasa ating mga opisyal ang kinabukasan ng ating Armed Forces at pati na rin sa ating bansa. Hoooooah!

[SARKid]

Very sad...and Very Totoo...

[philippinestoday]

I always opposed the idea that government forces must "ask permission" to conduct operations in MNLF held territories. Even if you don't inform them, you still face the probability of getting ambushed if you happen to meet some local villagers in their farmlands. After all, this villager can be one of your enemy. Now, bakit tayo mag-paalam sa kanila? Mag-paalam para ang kinakandong nila na mga ASG ay makalayas? Magpaalam para makapag-set up sila ng magandang ambush sa atin?  How many times have we caught the ASG rebels with MNLF Identification cards with them? Ustadz Haber and Ajibon can always deny them anyway. Alam naman natin na binebenta rin nila ang kanilang ID sa kapwa nila Tausug!

Me too..it is utterly stupid..(in my opinion).. why is it their is a need for the AFP to ask permission to conduct  operations within their areas?? The MNLF should have already laid down their arms..if they continue to hold areas as if their are the kings then they can still considered as enemy of the state..or REBELS.. Regardless if the GRP-MNLF peace agreement states that they have autonomy to some areas in mindanao, but the autonomy is limited, their was no mention that they would use their forces to do the job of the AFP or the police in general..??.. Now why is that?? We are not living in the barbaric or nomadic ages when certain swats of land are controlled by warlords!!..do they still dream of it?? why not have them migrate to afghanistan..!!

 

[texan]

My own assesment they are not losing, using the word "losing"  does not justify it. Maybe failure to contain... for me those are 2 different words, losing is like comparing the final days of Nicaragua when the communists took over or in Vietnam in 1975, The AFP are losing on the propaganda war but not militarily not even politicaly. the retired ranger guy maybe right but it is a situation that can be remedied.

[darthnbs]

When was this written anyway? Can we do a contrast on past declassified encounters where we failed and where we have succeeded, we can evaluate and post here any findings that we can help recirculate and do the necessary operational changes, Adroth once asked me if some of the SOP done in the field specially on artillery men's flash protection, does it really boils down to "katamaran" or just plain inefficiency? Commonsense would dictate that not everything discussed during training and theory analysis is true when it comes to actual battlefield scenarios. If during those times we unwittingly fell victim to the enemy's deception, surely we have gained a lot from that experience. But the biggest trainors ever are the NCOs because they are the actual executioners of the actions and they can sense the air against any potential threat. But going back to the basic, IT IS REALLY TRUE that some trainees are treated more of a personal assistant than of a proper trainee. Do you remember that Major or whatever which was involved in a scandal with a trainee? Get the picture? Those sorts of mishaps don't belong in any place in the AFP as well as combat ineffectiveness.

[Adroth]

When was this written anyway?

The email was sent out last September 4, 2006

The retired ranger guy maybe right but it is a situation that can be remedied.

The retired SR that I spoke about is not the same person who sent this letter. The author of the email is in the active service, which is why he was very careful about emphasizing that this was not destructive criticism.

People higher up are dropping the ball with regards to training. Talking about the problem could be misconstrued as dissent, and griping.

Its a phenomenon that's being felt across the AFP. We've already heard the Navy's problems. Now we see the Army's. Could the Air Force be far behind?

[Adroth]

Commonsense would dictate that not everything discussed during training and theory analysis is true when it comes to actual battlefield scenarios. If during those times we unwittingly fell victim to the enemy's deception, surely we have gained a lot from that experience.

I'm trying to reconcile this with Barber 6's post Here, shown below:

We do have records of all encounters since everything are reported to higher HQs through radio messages with complete details, and I do remember that some were compiled in a book titled "Lessons Learned" (not sure about the title) which is a great referrence for case studies. The training today is a bit modern since it involves the basics, FTXs, simulations and Case Studies. The latter proved effective, although there are still unforseable circumstance, because it minimized, if not completele eradicated, mistakes in every situation. Our troops learned/learns from the (sad to say) mistakes of others. The book also illustrated successful OPNs, it is a balanced referrence on "how to and how not to do it"...

I hoping that this meant that the PA had their version of the US Army's Center for Army Lessons Learned. I guess there's still a lot to go.

[salbahis]

do our AFP use MILES or similar system for Fire-On-Fire training?, coz what i think we really need to shape up the training of our soldiers!, for them to survive out there!    , at isa pa bakit pa tayo magpapa-alam na dadaan tayo sa area nila!, dahil para narin nating sinabi na "hoy nandito kami barilin nyo kami!"

[texan]

The email was sent out last September 4, 2006

The retired SR that I spoke about is not the same person who sent this letter. The author of the email is in the active service, which is why he was very careful about emphasizing that this was not destructive criticism.

Exactly it is not a destructive criticism it is of constructive aspect, senior leaders should view this as an aid to further better training their men.

[flanker]

It sounds really stupid to ask permission from the MNLF guys whenever our soldiers pass their areas during operations. But we have to understand the political aspect of the matter. I am not defending this move but I think, the military hierarcy knows this. But what can they do if this decision comes from Malacañang.

Sir Adroth, I have a friend from the Scout Ranger who retired from the service in 1999. He told me in one of our several conversations the difference of the trainings now and during their time. He even let me borrow his several diaries and I enjoyed reading it.

During their time, one of the trainings in the intel gathering was kidnapping. But it was stopped in the 80s because some soldiers used it in real KFR.

A scout ranger had to pass as paratrooper, trained in surveillance techniques, patrols, sniper, training, map reading, jungle survival etc. And they retrained almost every year. He said during their time, Scout Rangers are selected from the different units by their commanders. A soldier had to undergo a very rigorous six-month training before accepted as Ranger.

How rigorous? Sometimes, they did not sleep for a few days. Actual combat operations is part of their training or he said, it was short of a torture to test the skills and psychological preparedness of the individual Ranger.

Kaya nga, sa panahon nila, kinatatakutan ang mga Ranger, lalu na kapag nagalit. Walang umiikyak at tumakbo sa kanila. Para sa kanila, patay kung patay. Walang atrasan. By the way, he became a trainor of the Rangers for more than a year.

[Adroth]

It sounds really stupid to ask permission from the MNLF guys whenever our soldiers pass their areas during operations. But we have to understand the political aspect of the matter. I am not defending this move but I think, the military hierarcy knows this. But what can they do if this decision comes from Malacañang.

Agreed. I wonder how much of this is the Dureza or the IMT's doing.

Kaya nga, sa panahon nila, kinatatakutan ang mga Ranger, lalu na kapag nagalit. Walang umiikyak at tumakbo sa kanila. Para sa kanila, patay kung patay. Walang atrasan. By the way, he became a trainor of the Rangers for more than a year.

I was under the impression that the Rangers have always been sharp. The problem that the author or the letter was describing may have been re ordinary troops.

[drkula]

Why are we losing the war?

Because everyone is doing everything except his job.

We have enlisted personel who are preoccupied with thinking what officers should do do and not do.

We have platoon leaders who are more concerned with how  the battalion is being run by the battalion commander.

We have brigade commanders who are more concerned with finding solutions how to defeat corruption at the national level.

We have colonels and generals who are more concerned of how this country should be run.

We have politicians and civilians who  want to dip their fingers on how the miltary is being managed.

In short, we have a politicized military and militarized politicians/civilians.

Chopsuey o pinakbet. di ko na alam kung ano tayo.

[light50]

your right...

[hawkhunter]

do our AFP use MILES or similar system for Fire-On-Fire training?, coz what i think we really need to shape up the training of our soldiers!, for them to survive out there!   

pwede rin mag-acquire na lang ng BB rifles. marami sa Divisoria ng 1:1 scale rifles. very realistic.


marami bakanteng lote ang AFP why not conduct wargames?


i have to agree with the article. every year nagco-conduct ng balikatan training exercise to improve our soldiers pero the way i see it, pare-pareho lang ang nangyayari especially the marines na kasali sa exercise... puro beachlanding.

pang WW2 pa yang ginagawa namin!

[Shingen]

MILES is a nice piece of training equipment provided it works properly. In addition to the standard webbing or helmet MILES there are exotic items like AT weapons MILES and even grenade MILES, etc.

It is a shit piece of equipment to maintain and is very prone to failures even for the new sets. It uses the "rare" batteries like "B" size batteries if memory serves. While we can expect a 5.56mm round will penetrate foilage like leaves or branches but even such minor obstructions would defeat the system. 

However, i been hearing rave reviews of this system in armour units. Perharps their MILES set are of a different type or standard. Or simply, the guys need not walk around with it.