tion constantly asked: What will this war cost in casualties? How many young men and women will we lose? Estimates from some think tanks, of 10,000 to 20,000 killed from attacking the world’s fourth- largest army, given fi re ditches they had constructed across the border and the chemical and biological weapons, were much higher than Norm and I thought.
Chemical and biological weap-
ons were an emotional and media concern more than my concern or Norm’s. We had prepared to fi ght the Russians in this kind of environ- ment for decades. We had MOPP [mission-oriented protective pos- ture] gear. If subject to a chemical attack, you move out of it. We were pretty sure we could fi ght our way through a chemical attack. I was even less concerned about biologi- cal weapons, which are very hard to use. Also, we had warned the Iraqis that if they use any weapons of mass destruction, then don’t be surprised at what we do to them in return. But we were concerned about casualties. Norm and I fi nally con- cluded, with no science behind it, that there might be a couple of thou- sand. Not more. But we warned our leaders what it could be so they un- derstood the risks.
As U.S. forces prepared for war, how aware were you, how aware was the American public, that this would be the first war of all volunteers? When we ended the draft in the early 1970s, I was a battalion com- mander in Korea. Professionals like me stayed in the Army, but a lot of colleagues left, feeling the American people had abandoned us. I com- manded mostly volunteers then, but it was the beginning of the [all-vol-
PHOTOS: RIGHT, NATIONAL ARCHIVES; TOP, DENNIS BRACK JANUARY 2016 MILITARY OFFICER 67
unteer force (AVF)], so we weren’t getting high-quality youngsters. As we trained them, we also helped some get a high school education and taught others to speak English. By the time I became a brigade commander of the 101st Airborne Di- vision in 1976, we could see a change. These were good soldiers. They wanted to be there. It wasn’t like draftees. If these volunteers, mostly high school graduates, didn’t per- form, we could fi re them. It made for a higher-quality Army. The American people saw them for the fi rst time
and were very proud. They were be- hind us a thousand percent.
What about military equipment? That’s another thing Americans didn’t know but were about to fi nd out: how good our equipment was. Our new M-1 tanks, Patriot missiles, cruise missiles used to get criticized, likewise our high-priced planes and ships. In this war, they would see them in action, and they worked!
With every war, the U.S. military develops a certain relationship with
Reporters and cameramen film military equipment during a war known for 24/7 coverage. (below) Powell and Schwarzkopf attend a press conference held by U.S. and Saudi Arabian officials.