Friday, November 16, 2007
Three U.S. soldiers are guarding a checkpoint at 2 a.m. Suddenly, a truck approaches at high speed, ignoring their flashing lights and running over the checkpoint barriers. The truck is headed for the soldiers’ position, so they begin firing warning shots. There is no one else to ask what to do, and they have to make a decision.
They start shooting at the tires, and finally, the truck stops. The soldiers walk up to the driver and realize that he had simply fallen asleep at the wheel.
This is an example of the escalating use of force used by the U.S. Army that Lt. Gen. William Caldwell told KU students about at a question-and-answer session on Thursday, sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Caldwell is a three-star general and commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Ft. Leavenworth. Caldwell also spoke on Wednesday night at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.
Caldwell said that the Army’s forces went through intensive training and simulation practices to prepare for situations such as this. He said soldiers had to be prepared to make decisions in a matter of seconds.
Caldwell suggested to the University of Kansas that he come to speak to students. Paul D’Anieri, associate dean of the college, said this was an important opportunity for students to talk to someone from the U.S. government who made important decisions.
“These kinds of issues — culture, conflicts, political settlement and economics — are what we deal with. It’s what we do,” D’Anieri said.
Caldwell also spoke to students about the Army’s obligation to be open to media and reporters.
“It’s a two-way street, and we have a huge responsibility too,” Caldwell said. “We are denying reporters access at the most critical times that they need access.”
Caldwell told the story of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, an engineer who was doing construction and was attacked by Iraqis. Smith found a disabled machine gun and began firing rounds at the enemy. Finally, the Iraqis began to withdraw, but Smith was mortally wounded.
“He gave his life,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell said these were the type of stories that the media needed to be telling, and the only way the media could was if the army let them embed with them to show the media what they were doing.
Caldwell also talked about being a husband and father of five children and what it was like returning home after being deployed. He said he used to pay the bills, but after being deployed for 13 months, his wife took over, and he was never allowed to touch the checkbook again.
He said families left at home were in a tougher situation than the soldiers because they had to adjust to life without their loved ones. Caldwell and administrators at the college are working to provide joint programs between the University and Ft. Leavenworth.
“I like going into the educational environment because students are much more open,” Caldwell said. “They may have particular views, but they are open to others and willing to engage in others.”
— Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
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Comments
General talks about media’s role in Army
It isn't Sgt Gen Caldwell. Primarily because there is no such rank. He is a Lieutenant General.
There is a pretty big difference between his actual rank and one that doesn't even exist.
Keep up the good work, but make sure you get the research in.
-1st Lt M.R. USAF KU Class of '05
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