No More Half Measures—a Vietnam era concept
I will say that I’m no expert on Vietnam; it was too old for current events in school, and too recent for history. But I know it was a mismanaged, unpopular war, and I got to thinking a bit: What would happen if the president, elected in 1968, gave orders to the Joint Chiefs, “Win!” and to the Secretary of State, “Help them win.”
This hypothetical president, most likely Republican, ran on a platform that includes ending the war. Many people figured that “ending the war” involved American withdrawal—but he plans to end the war by forcing the enemy to accept all of America’s terms…by whatever means are necessary…
The president, whoever it is, is willing to be a one term president; he knows that these actions will be unpopular.
Is this a plausible program for the time? And can it be carried out? How fast can the military show real progress to the president and the people? How soon can North Vietnam be brought to the peace table?
Orders to the Joint Chiefs:
The Vietnam War has dragged on long enough. I promised the American people that I would do whatever it takes to bring the war to a conclusion, and I mean it. Here are your orders: Bring the war to a successful conclusion, or tell me up front that you can’t. If you tell me that these objectives are not possible, then I will direct the secretary of state to begin negotiations. Otherwise, the world will soon see what it means when the United Stares of America wages war.
War Goals:
Repatriation of all POWs who choose to return home. Any that do not want to return home must so declare to a genuinely neutral party.
Withdrawal of all forces to the prewar borders, and both sides to refrain from attempts to destabilze the other.
These points are non negotiable. North Vietnam must cease to be a threat to America’s allies.
Conquest and dissolution of North Vietnam is not a war goal. That said, if accomplishing the stated war goals requires conquest of the north, then dissolution of the existing regime may result.
To this end, the only restrictions in place are the laws and conventions of war, and other commitments that the USA has made, such as the need to defend Western Europe.
Plans are to be made to close the Ho Chi Minh trail by any means necessary. Total war on North Vietnam’s logistics network, wherever situated, is authorized. Presence of civilians will not deter attacks on North Vietnamese infrastructure. This includes transportation, storage, manufacturing—any facilities being used to prosecute the war.
In addition to removing the transportation infrastructure in North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia must be assisted in closing the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
A naval blockade of the North is authorized, including the search and seizure of neutral vessels under the long established rules of blockade. Vessels that do not stop after a warning shot must be forced to stop; deadly force is authorized. In such a case, reasonable attempts are to be made to minimize crew casualties, but stopping the blockade runner has absolute priority over minimizing casualties.
Minimizing collateral damage is desirable, but is secondary to accomplishing military objectives. These priorities will be clearly delineated. No soldier can do to much wrong if he shoots at the enemy.
All rules of engagement will be clear cut—troops carrying out orders are entitled to clear, easy to understand orders
Invasion of the north, or whatever destruction of facilities in the north, is necessary to bring the war to a close, is permitted. Plans are to be made for all foreseeable contingencies, including plans for the invasion and occupation of the whole country.
Coverage of the war has resulted in American casualties that were otherwise preventable. In the war zone, security rules will be put in place immediately. If need be, Word War II rules for press coverage in war zones may be implemented, and relaxed only as Operational Security permits. All reporters in potential combat zones will be briefed on the new restrictions, and sign a statement that they accept the restriction. The statement will be explicit, and will specifically include that the area is under martial law, and that violating the restrictions can result in criminal charges, up to and including treason (for American reporters) and espionage (for foreign and domestic reporters.) Any that chose not to accept the restrictions will be removed from the combat zones. Prosecution by military tribunal will be prompt. Martial law being in effect, a military tribunal is legal. The statement will include that any violations will be treated in accordance with martial, not civilian, law. There must be no possibility of anyone stating that they were not informed.
<Not written down, but passed verbally: It is desirable to catch someone violating the rules as soon as practical, and making it crystal clear that there will be consequences. Better a reporter jailed than troops killed, or the need for a trial for treason later.>
The USSR and China must be informed in clear terms of the United States’ war aims. The war aims are to end the threat to South Vietnam, not to occupy North Vietnam. Any conquest of North Vietnam will only happen if the American war aims can’t be accomplished otherwise. China may wish to convey the grim possibility of regime change to the North Vietnamese leaders. The possibility of normalization of relations with mainland China , though NOT at the expense of Nationalist China, can be explored—once the war is over.
China will be reminded of its obligation as a neutral not to be used as a base from which to launch attacks
The job of the President is to provide directives as Commander in Chief, and to provide them what they need to carry out the directives. The job of the military is to carry out these directives in a professional and efficient manner.
In short, this war is to be prosecuted like previous wars—with the full might of the United States.
My pledge to the military:
I am a former soldier; I understand the dangers of micromanaging a war.
I will provide clear directives as to the goals our military needs to accomplish. I will do my utmost to provide the means to reach these goals. I will then allow the military to conduct the war with the absolute minimum of political interference. I know that not all goes as planned at all times, and will act accordingly.
In return, I expect the military to be open with me about progress, and to clearly and honestly tell me what is and isn’t possible. I expect officers to lead their men effectively, and I expect soldiers to behave as soldiers.
(There will be some sort of statement regarding court-martials for rendering oneself combat ineffective—including using drugs. Drug dealers in Vietnam to be court martialed and sent to Portsmouth or Leavenworth, with the maximum sentence. Conspiracy charges to be included—goal being to sentence major drug dealers to life, and lesser ones to a few decades in prison. This is a military measure, applying to military bases and the war zone.
Drug use is also to result in disciplinary action that does not result in discharge.
So—what more is needed in the way of strategic statements to the military? What needs to be changed? Or is this impossible?