What do the events in Black Hawk Down reveal about the American way of war?
Second to None, The Super Breed, Untouchables, Born of War, Strike for Freedom, Flammis Vincimus (With Fire We Conquer), Justice Will Prevail, Vincere Est Vivere (To Conquer is to Live), Conquer or Die, Liberators, Victory Through Skill, Facta Non Verba (Deeds Not Words), No Task Too Large, Arms Secure Peace, Together We Triumph, Strike Hard, Always Ready, Our Strength is in Loyalty, Celer Et Audax (Swift and Bold), By Arms and Courage, Deo et Patria (God and Country), No Better Friend - No Worse Enemy (http://www.military-quotes.com/mottos/US-army.htm) — these are but a few of the many military mottos and nicknames of the branches of the United States military. They each tell a story, they each reveal a glimpse at the American way of war. So what is this “American” way of war? How does our military fight, defend, support? How do we engage in conflicts? How do we clash on the field of battle? Historically, the United States is known to seek a speedy victory with the desire for marginal casualties. Our combined military is recognized for its distinctive qualities of speed, flexibility, training, surprise, and adaptability. The American military bases its military superiority on state of the art firepower, expert special forces, and practiced psychological operations. Our leaders endeavor to combine and integrate the armed forces (air, naval, and land power) into a conjoined, seamless whole — one that merits mottos such as Sicut Quercus (As the Oak) - steadfast, unshakable, enduring, and determined.
Somalia — October 3rd and 4th, 1993 — the American way of war? Did these two days of battle demonstrate and attest to the American way of war? Were our tactics characteristic of the hallmark of American military — swift, superior, and successful? Or where they a repeat of the likes of Korea or Vietnam — stalemates where there was really no victory and loss of...