[SuperScout]

... considering the fact that everybody from here to Dallas knows that the Fist Cav, among other units, will be rotating into Iraq in the next few months. Our son #2 is in the 1st Cav, and their preparation to deployment has included rotations at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, CA, the closest replication to actual live combat sans incoming ordnance.

And on a more personal note, I tend to view dispatches from Reuters with a rather cocky eyebrow, as these are those same folks that slanted if not completely re-wrote news articles coming out of Iraq, to the permanent embarrassment of the original author. And Reuters was also trumpeting the piles of bodybags that were going to be filled as we tried to conquer Iraq, remember?

The rotational philosophy being instituted is driven by several factors, all reasonable, valid and pragmatic. Morale is a vital issue, and its potential if not real degradation is driving the convoy to bring some folks home. But before the combat-tried and true leave, they will be joined at the hip by the newbies, who will probably keep their lip buttoned while absorbing as much as humanly possible.

Another part of the rationale on rotation is reducing the size of the footprint in Iraq, a position yours truly has long held. Guarding a voting site, for example, with a Bradley or an Abrams, is inviting an RPG missle. And the support tail wagged by the big bullet launchers is making for any even larger footprint. the replacing units will not be required to make those mad dashes to the Tigris, where heavy armor, that lovely combat arm of decision, is not needed.