| Online: | |
| Visits: | |
| Stories: |
| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
An American In Ukraine: A Perspective From The Inside
Freedom Outpost
Editor’s Note: Earlier this week, I received the following email and after confirming who and where it originated, I believe it to be a genuine account of what is taking place in the Ukraine from an American observer in the region. I think those in this audience will appreciate the insight. Due to the nature of what is going on, the source wishes to remain nameless. With consent, here’s the text of that email.
One of my Ukrainian colleagues asked me if I was informing my friends back home about the situation here. I admitted that I’ve only talked to my wife much about it and he accepted that. I got to thinking and decided that I’ve been delinquent.
I came here in 2005 on a contract to help build a professional corps of NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) for the Ukrainian Army. It was a dismal failure. The military budget couldn’t support building the kind of NCO corps the US Army has. Ukraine just doesn’t have the budget for the personnel and training changes that are necessary. Also, is a result of many years of European and Soviet style military doctrine, the junior leaders are officers. NCOs are just technicians. That’s worked for them for a couple centuries.
The current mid-grade officers recognized that this wasn’t the most efficient way of leadership, but they just can’t convince the civilians to put enough in the budget to professionalize the force. Conscription stopped this year, but they are a long way from developing a small, professional army.
Reposted with permission
