A Soldier's Perspective

Give Our Generals What They Need

(Washington, DC) – Today, Vets For Freedom—the largest Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans organization in America—released an online petition urging President Obama to follow the request of the commanders on the ground in Afghanistan and allocate the troop-strength necessary to turn the war around. The “Give Our Generals What They Need” Petition calls upon the President to honor the forthcoming troop-level recommendations of General Stanley McChrystal and give our troops the same chance to succeed in Afghanistan that they had in Iraq following the Surge.

The full petition can be found at: www.vetsforfreedom.org/give_them_what_they_need

“Unlike Iraq, there was consensus at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan that America must be successful in toppling the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, for the safety of our country. Eight years later, the consensus on the war in Afghanistan is fractured; however we believe that the need for victory has not changed,” reads the petition. “Now is the time for your leadership. If you listen to commanders on the ground, give them what they need, and stand behind our warriors in Afghanistan—we will stand with you. If you don’t, and would rather fight the ‘war of necessity’ with one hand tied behind our back, then we will loudly object.”

The "Give Our Generals What They Need" Petition comes less than two weeks after General McChrystal’s first on-the-ground assessment of the War in Afghanistan. However, this original review did not contain troop numbers. Within the month, Gen. McChrystal is expected to send a separate recommendation to the President on troop increases, but reports have indicated that the President may reject a significant increase in troops on the ground.

Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of Vets for Freedom, is available for interview, as are a number of Afghanistan veterans. Send media requests to media@vetsforfreedom.org or call (202) 338-4070. For more information about Vets for Freedom, please visit www.vetsforfreedom.org

CJ Grisham, Vets For Freedom Alabama State Chapter Captain, is available for interview. Send local requests to cj@soldiersperspective.us or call 256-489-2683.

Full text of the petition is below:

President Obama:

We, the undersigned U.S. war veterans and patriotic Americans, petition you with one simple request:

Listen to the commander on the ground in Afghanistan—General Stanley A. McChrystal—and provide him with the troops he says he needs to win the war in Afghanistan.

By accepting the troop recommendations of General McChrystal—and his boss General David Petraeus—we have a chance to turn the war in Afghanistan around. This is a moment in history we must not miss.

Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal is an outside-the-box thinker who thrives in the ambiguity of asymmetrical battlefields. Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal has the right strategy—a comprehensive counterinsurgency plan.

In 2007, General Petraeus was given the troops he needed (the “Surge”) to win, and Iraq has turned around—resulting in dramatically lower U.S. casualties, a more stable Iraq, and a drawdown of American forces.

General McChrystal—and all our brave Soldiers and Marines on the ground—deserve the same chance to win in Afghanistan. They deserve the additional troops needed to turn a winning strategy into a winning result.

We fully acknowledge that the war in Afghanistan has been tough, and is currently headed in the wrong direction. And as you have said, it has been under-resourced, under-funded, and under-manned for years. You have also said that it is a war we must win. We agree on all fronts.

Unlike Iraq, there was consensus at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan that America must be successful in toppling the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, for the safety of our country. Eight years later, the consensus on the war in Afghanistan is fractured; however we believe—as do you—that the need for victory has not changed.

During this time of domestic uncertainly and global threats, winning the war will require steadfast Presidential leadership; a Commander-in-Chief who is unwilling to be swayed by lagging poll numbers or party leaders who want to block troop increases.

Now is the time for your leadership. If you listen to commanders on the ground, give them what they need, and stand behind our warriors in Afghanistan—we will stand with you. If you don’t, and would rather fight the “war of necessity” with one hand tied behind our back, then we will loudly object.

Many—in fact a majority—said the war in Iraq was “unwinnable,” yet our troops persevered and turned the tide. Despite the drumbeat of detractors—on both sides of the aisle—this is another war we can win. But we must act now.

We owe it to the Marines and Soldiers slogging it out with insurgents every day to get this right. If we do, they’ll fight, they’ll persevere, and they’ll win. If we don’t, we are setting them up for failure. No less than America greatness—and the legacy of America’s finest warriors—is at stake.

Tags: vets for freedom