Does the U.S. have the most powerful armed forces?

You all make points. I realize that the language barrier is important as well as culture, religion etc.. but it took centuries to build up the Roman Empire too and they had a real babel tower of peoples and culture. The Roman empire did not last , I know but that's history. Only a fool may think his Reich will last a thousands years.
I'm however confident . School systems are slowly merging, armies are going into the right direction, the economies are now sometimes sticking together instead of competing systematically, but yes, it may take decades if not more, and I believe the English language could be the cement of this unity.
One example the US recently voted a 700 billion $ bailout bill: when you put all Europeans countires together, the EU has gathered not less than 1700 billion euros which would be three times the capacity of the US if converted to dollars! The Stockmarket got the message too.
Is this a dream? I would say our last hope, as if we do not unite, we will not be able to compete with countries like China.

 

I for one am glad we don't hav a common army. I mean who would pay for it? I don't want Europe external debt increased to values comparables of those of USA...



Cheers...

 

Actually it is not an external debt, but a bank guarantee, just in case. I hope we will never need this huge amount, but it's good (or bad?) to know the money can be found if needed. Also the bank will borrow the money from the state and pay legal interests. If it works out it won't cost money, the states could even make money with it. The purpose is to avoid a paralysis of internal banking loans. If a bank won't loan to a bank , the state will guarantee this loan.

 

"the English language could be the cement of this unity"

That is a pretty radical thing to say ! I can't figure out what the England English people are talking about most of the time ! Mick Jagger comes to mind.
I was under the idea that the French officials did not approve of American customs and influence in their country. If it is true, then I say good for them !!!!

When I travel anymore all the cities look alike now with the same fast food places, same motel chains, same Wal-Marts and Targets. If I ever get to France I don't want to see the same old thing I see in this country.

The French language would be a better choice since it sounds so good. Make love, not war.

 

The US definatily haS the best armed force in the world, but it is not sufficient enough to remedy stratigic mistakes. Winning a war depends on a wealth of factors, that's why there are many cases in history where a superior army was defeated by an inferior one.

 

Excellent points! Having the best armed forces in the world is meaningless if it is used improperly. Furthermore, unless the political will to use the military exists, it is useless. Finally, not only the leadership must have the will to use the military in any given crisis, but the public must be convinced that it is necessary, and public support must be sustained until the final victory is achieved.

I need only point to Viet Nam.

 

All of the above are true. There's also something very nagative about having the best armed force in the world - it inevitably installs false confidence in you and makes you overrate yourself while underrate your enemy.

 

Have you guys considered the fact that on a Russian forum the local Rogues would probably use similar statements about their armed forces?

 

Hello Skipper,

it must be a very small Forum that debates about the strength of the Russian Army

Regards
Kruska

 

I'll predict it happens within twenty years.

 

twenty years, you are quite optimistic Vet, in that case we would have a chance, but what about NATO then ?

 

Sure it's not an external debt, it's a debt to ourselves which eventually, we (taxpayers) will pay. Frankly I don't think a common army is needed. Who the hell is gonna invade us? China? Russia? USA? I don't think so. Plus, Europe has nuclear weapons to bear so that is always deterring to possible invaders.
Also, I'm in favour of Uniting Europe in education, Health, trade and all things which contribute to our future. Not spending in an army which would stand on it's feet doing nothing...

As for the universal language in Europe, By the time any kind of real unity is achieved, probably we'll all talk Turkish or Algerian or somo other language



Cheers...

 

It will dissolve. Russia will have a lot of influence due to their gas agreements with Europe. They are awful chummy with France and Germany.

 

Planes, ships, tanks, training quality, clearly the Us army has the edge.

But what about communications / chain of command / chain of supply / intelligence / stellite observation etc ?

The US army is able to operate efficiently under circumstances where any other army would be in stumbling in dark.

And what about missile technology ?

The cruise missiles able to accurately hit remote targets, the antimissiles systems etc etc.

I think the US army is 25 years ahead of the others army.

 

Skipper, I'm fairly sure there are several combined brigades in NATO now, including a Dutch/German brigade (bumped into them in Holland). I'm not sure a joint military would work because of the differences in ethos and structure but it wouldn't surprise me if European forces started to work together more closely in the future.

As for the US having the best armed forces in the world, well, I would certainly say the most powerful but that doesn't necessarily equate to 'best.' Technology, sure, resources, definately, it is the training and ethos that go against the grain with me. Then again, I'm naturally biased when it comes to which army (in particular) is the 'best' man for man.

DA, your relative is right about the EU I think. It is a massive beurocracy which I think needs to withdraw a little and stop including EVERYONE who wants to join. For a pretty good summary of the British view on EU look here:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Xvy1r4Pm8

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RZUOkGxGUVs&feature=related

Enjoy.

 

On the subject of training, I think this is very much a subject where most militaries find they have a spread from mediocre to excellent depending on branch, tradition, selectiveness of personnel, and inate ability. From my own service the Naval Nuclear Power program engineers were far better trained and skilled than their "conventional" counterparts. The submarine service was also very selective. On the other end of the stick most ship's Deck Departments were rife with misfits and the marginally useful.
This even goes ship to ship. When I was on the Enterprise I recall the Carl Vinson failing an OPPE and in-port ORSE (engineering readiness tests). The result was catastrophic on the engineering crew to say the least. But, they were sub-standard and had to bring their standards up to go to sea.

Another time I recall was a casualty the 'prise suffered off Malaysia. It was 2 in the morning (or thereabouts) and the aft half of the plant got dropped (ie two engine rooms "went away"). We had 22 planes in the air. Yours truly go the electric plant totally back up in under 20 minutes and we landed our aircraft. The Captain was really pleased as he related that the Saratoga had suffered a similar casualty the year before and had to divert their aircraft to shore being unable to recover their plant.

Sometimes there is just no way to know who is good and who is a screw up when things go south until things go south.

 

My opinion is the U.K. will not be a part of the EU.

 

I think the US mailitary is superior mostly in terms of economic warefare and manpower. There are countries in the world that have excellent military technology: Britain, Germany, Russia etc. but they probably would not have enough manpower and money to sustain it, even tough Germany was the worlds 3rd strongest economy in 2007.

I would not understimate anyone.

 

Definitely the US has the most powerful military force and I pity the lunatics that decide to pit themselves against it in a conventional war. How the US chooses to use its forces strategically is the key and the unfortunate thing is that sometimes the US has had to fight with one hand tied behind its back which is not the best way to fight.

 

Vet, I think Britain will stay in the EU because despite what the general population think, those in power know it is our best chance of remaining a major power in the world. We just need to start sticking up for ourselves and deciding what we do and don't listen to when it comes to EU legislation, as well as start ignoring articles in the Daily Mail about pointless bits of legislation that actually don't affect us at all.