Rotation policy: Iraq & Afghanistan were really the wars we fought 1 year at a time
“Many times the Vietnam was called a ten-year war fought one year at a time."
Best Defense is in summer reruns. This item originally appeared on May 27, 2015.
My friend retired Command Sgt. Maj. Robert S. Rush, Ph.D., makes this observation:
“Many times the Vietnam was called a ten-year war fought one year at a time…. which actually wasn’t true though most service members rotated through one year at a time. Units remained and had members who had served different lengths of time, with those with longest service in country able to pass on lessons learned to those just arriving. Afghanistan and Iraq, unlike Vietnam truly were long wars fought one year at a time.”
Wikimedia Commons
More from Foreign Policy
A New Multilateralism
How the United States can rejuvenate the global institutions it created.
America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want
Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.
The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy
Beijing’s representatives are always scared they could be the next to vanish.
The End of America’s Middle East
The region’s four major countries have all forfeited Washington’s trust.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.