In LTC Dan Bolger's book, The Battle For Hunger Hill, we learn that the lessons of Vietnam were not lost on the U.S. Army. In an effort to prevent another Vietnam, where conventional tactics fell short when used against an unconvential enemy, the U.S. Army created the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Fort Polk, Louisiana. JRTC is where infantry go to do battle with other U.S. soldiers playing the part of the opposing forces. This is serious business and there are few if any considerations afforded to the combatants. Short of live rounds, this is the real thing.

According to our reviewer, Dr. Simon Ng, LTC Dan Bolger's book, The Battle For Hunger Hill, is the honestly told, higly educational, and entirely engrossing account of one man's two tours of duty at this ultimate war simulation facility.

This sort of relates to the discussion generated by Bismarck and Twitch on the review of our 21st Century Military technology.

"The Battle For Hunger Hill" seems to inidicate that, contrary to some discussion, we are not relying soley on our technology to win battles, but we're training for unorthodox fighting against enemies using atypical tactics.

The LTC in the book learned from his mistakes, adapted, and won the second time around. This was not a reliance on technology, but on good old stratagey, implementation, and courage.

In the end, it is not the technology that prevails, but how we use it, the people involved, and their decisions/tactics that decide the winners.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

While I agree that correct tactics is paramount in efficient and effective military operations, one has to remember that a changing technology environment necessitates a change in doctrine and tactics, or, at least, an evaluation of these areas.

I have the benefit of doing just that for a living!