Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Gothic Serpent vs. Absolute Resolve a comparison

Posted on 1/5/26 at 8:38 am
Posted by Mid Iowa Tiger
Undisclosed Secure Location
Member since Feb 2008
24055 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 8:38 am
The only difference between these two operations is leadership yet the outcome is so much different.

The same units, the same basic gear, and the same basic training yet the outcomes are completely different.

Why? Leadership at the top. When Clinton tasked the same units (even the same damn company from the 160th) the main feedback provided was a daylight raid was a bad idea and we need more force than what you’re saying.

Clinton turned it all down and made the operation go, Irene went out and most people know what happened.


Absolute resolve started as a “how do we do this” and those in charge listened to the war fighters and provided pretty much everything that was asked for.


Two very similar missions with two completely different outcomes.
Posted by udtiger
Over your left shoulder
Member since Nov 2006
113134 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 8:40 am to
Pretty much.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
468428 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 8:42 am to
quote:

The only difference between these two operations is leadership yet the outcome is so much different.

That and 30+ years of learning, specifically from failures like Gothic Serpent
Posted by UtahCajun
Member since Jul 2021
3498 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 9:27 am to
quote:

That and 30+ years of learning, specifically from failures like Gothic Serpent


Funny that you think we needed 30+ years to learn that nightime is the best time.

Hell raiders in the 6th century knew that, but sure....say we needed 30+ years.
Posted by SoFla Tideroller
South Florida
Member since Apr 2010
39478 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 9:41 am to
You mean a morally bankrupt huckster like Slick who famously stated that he "loathed the military" wouldn't take their advice and intentionally put the soldiers in harm's way? Nooooooooo.

But, hey, he bit his lower lip and liberal white women thought he was compassionate.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
468428 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 9:42 am to
quote:

Funny that you think we needed 30+ years to learn that nightime is the best time.


Posted by Godfather1
What WAS St George, Louisiana
Member since Oct 2006
87978 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 9:44 am to
The biggest reason Gothic Serpent failed was a lack of LAV’s. Again, denied by Clinton/Aspin.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
19893 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 9:58 am to
quote:

The biggest reason Gothic Serpent failed was a lack of LAV’s.


I have never understood the opposition to armored vehicles that is so popular with the Left. An armored vehicle is DEFENSIVE in nature. It keeps people from getting hurt. Nothing about armor is offensive. Yet the Left loses their mind when local police get an armored vehicle. It's not hurting anyone driving around and keeping the occupants from getting shot. What is the issue?
Posted by tide06
Member since Oct 2011
21155 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 10:02 am to
quote:

An armored vehicle is DEFENSIVE in nature.

Yes the armored cav is entirely defensive in nature and definitely isn’t designed to project force rapidly.

Come on you can come up with better arguments for bullet proof police cruisers than this…
Posted by UtahCajun
Member since Jul 2021
3498 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 10:31 am to
Stick to chasing ambulances. You are mid at that. Low to everything else.
Posted by Mid Iowa Tiger
Undisclosed Secure Location
Member since Feb 2008
24055 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 12:00 pm to
quote:

The biggest reason Gothic Serpent failed was a lack of LAV’s. Again, denied by Clinton/Aspin.


The biggest reason was they were asked to operate in the daytime in a crowded area without the proper complimentary assets.
Posted by SoFla Tideroller
South Florida
Member since Apr 2010
39478 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 12:38 pm to
quote:

Yet the Left loses their mind when local police get an armored vehicle. It's not hurting anyone driving around and keeping the occupants from getting shot. What is the issue?


Hell, you have tons of mouth-breathing edge lords on here. "Muh militarization of the police!"
Posted by Godfather1
What WAS St George, Louisiana
Member since Oct 2006
87978 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 5:55 pm to
quote:

The biggest reason was they were asked to operate in the daytime in a crowded area without the proper complimentary assets.


Yeah. Like light armor.

The mere presence of 4 LAV’s would’ve been sufficient to send the Mog marketplace scattering. Supported by the 4 Ranger air assault chalks, Delta could’ve gone in, extracted the target and been out on schedule.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
19893 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 3:05 pm to
quote:

Yes the armored cav is entirely defensive in nature and definitely isn’t designed to project force rapidly.


Right. The ARMORED VEHICLES and not the cannons and rocket launcher s are what make armored cav offensive.

We were discussing ARMORED VEHICLES here.
Posted by tide06
Member since Oct 2011
21155 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 3:25 pm to
An armored vehicle containing people who carry arms is still projecting force.
Posted by Pettifogger
I don't really care, Margaret
Member since Feb 2012
86267 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 3:30 pm to
No useful input on SOF strategy/tactics from me

Perhaps it's pure bias...but I suspect our ability to foster reliable and accurate intelligence assets in Venezuela was a major reason this op was so clean. Contrast that with our noted difficulties elsewhere in recent decades.
Posted by Mid Iowa Tiger
Undisclosed Secure Location
Member since Feb 2008
24055 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 4:04 pm to
quote:

our ability to foster reliable and accurate intelligence assets in Venezuela was a major reason this op was so clean.


Intel was pretty good for GS and in fact most of the time we were there.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram