Is the whole DoD insane or is there some other reason

[pnwmom]

they would put their counter-insurgency manual on the web?

http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/224/New_Counterinsurgency_Manual_Hits_Net

"Your IraqSlogger editors are stunned that the Pentagon has released to the entire world and posted on the Web the U.S. military’s new 282-page counterinsurgency war-fighting manual.
This is the first post-9/11 “war on terror” U.S. military counterinsurgency manual – the long-awaited doctrine meant in part to help turn the tide for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The counterinsurgency field manual's cover reads in part, "Distribution Restriction: Approved for Public Release; Distribution is unlimited."

Why?

Now you and everyone, including Al Qaeda terrorists and insurgents, can read the entire 282-page manual."

[haele]

1. I think it's because there's two reasons -

The first is so that the DoD looks as if it's doing something about counter-insurgency. Lots of window-dressing.

The second is probably because except for, perhaps, some technology that will not be included except as speculation due to classification, the various techniques of dealing with insurgency, successful and unsuccessful, is nothing new. It's pretty much common sense, the only variants would be how harsh you want to be or how much imperialism you want to inject. And again, most of those various processes have historical precedence that could be found in any good library or on the internets.


Still, sounds as if this is all another waste of trees.

Haele

[spindrifter]

2. This is a tiny tempest in a teapot.

The stuff in the manual is not new. The military has been using the techniques in the field for some time. Moreover, there have been lots of articles in military journals addressing the need for techniques described in the manuals for a long time. Insurgents have had plenty of time to harvest this information and adapt to it. The key is that the manual gives general information, not specifics, and the whole philosophy is that the military must adapt to a constantly changing set of ground rules.

Check out the article in Army Times:

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2424870.php

[Eric J in MN]

4. I agree. NT

NT

[TheDebbieDee]

3. Maybe this is intentional distribution of misinformation..........

meant to mislead the insurgents.

Or, maybe they could get the information to the soldiers quicker this way than by printing up thousands of field manuals.......Maybe our soldiers have ready access to the internet.......

[Cleita]

5. The brass military, who actually knew how to do it, have

been forced out by the Rumsfeld Pentagon. They either retired or were demoted. Our military today is a mess.

[VTMechEngr]

6. Many DOD manuals are Distribution A.

Interesting choice for it though.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

7. Because it is crap

I just flipped through it.
I am amazed at the effort which went into it, and that anyone would actually release such shit.

More when I read more.