Sulrn
Deuces
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If you want to focus strictly on combat performance; a unit that can't deploy is combat ineffective - bottom line. Image comes into it in a very round about way on multiple fronts (with plenty of bull shit strewn in).
1. Reinforcing troop discipline via the environment (this is the main argument from a CMD perspective). The "if it doesn't look right, it probably isn't right" mentality to use social barriers to weed out negative issues. (SHARP, Fitness, minor disciplinary issues).
-If everyone around me is dress right-dress, I'm surrounded by servicemen/women. I'm afforded less opportunities to view them as anything other than what we share in common - our service to the nation. I don't see Jane's sleeve (which are now a no go) during pt and think she must be a fun to party with - I need to hit that; I now see Jane - 3rd squad (goes for the restrictive hair requirements as well). I'm also less inclined to have that last beer/shot because I might still be groggy in the morning at PT and it'll just be me and I don't want that spotlight. In either case (assuming CMD presence is there) you have a backup measure of defense to keep Soldiers from doing things that are going to make life hard for everyone involved - especially SHARP. This means your Unit spends more time in training and on the ramp to deployment/WAREX and less time fighting toxic environments and disciplinary actions. It also means a more cohesive team that's able to shoot, move, communicate, and live together - which is what combat performance is all about.
2.The US Military is made of professionals. From day 1 regardless of branch you're groomed and trained to meet a standard of the military environment. The force is changing though. It's no longer about just the personnel in uniforms, now it's about our contractors, host nation forces/civilians, OGO/NGOs - multispectrum, composite forces. The brass wants you to fit in seamlessly with everyone to your left and right whether its a host nation civilian or Doctors Without Borders, because as we move forward we're going to have a smaller force that has to work hand in hand with non-native resources.
-Specialist Phillips is now assigned to a team of three ComTech technicians to restore and expand the repeater station on the ridge line. SPC Phillips now has to look as professional and clean cut as the corporate standards his three contractors are held to so he's not perceived as "just a Soldier". The same goes for the team of MEDCAP personnel I send to Belgium to train HN Forces/Civilians to conduct CBRNE response training. It's not combat performance directly, but if very much effects our rapport with Allies/potential Allies and resources in current/future conflicts or missions.
Those are the two big forces driving the changes, but don't forget you still have force reduction and NC/OERs, politics, and Military Industrial Complex influence to account for. Is whether or not you have a tattoo or Jequitha has open braids going to stop a rifle round or help you finish the day's hump - not likely. The goal is to reduce distractions to increase the training/garrison quality so you're better prepared prior to deployment/mission execution. So that when you're working more effectively and when outside the force you have more resources available and the Military benefits from it. So that at the end of your career the Services can take credit for all your hard work by saying "LOOK AT THIS GUY AND HOW WELL WE PREPARED HIM FOR THE COPORATE REALM - HE EVEN LOOKS WHITE COLLAR!"
Most of the brass in charge were directly or indirectly involved in Panama, Gulf 1, Kosovo, and GWOT; so I'm not sure I understand where you're coming from. I do think that the "new" environment is heading in the right direction, but I won't lie and say I haven't seen quality personnel forced out due to reduction measures well before paperwork could get processed to kick out the shit birds. On the other hand, I've dealt with plenty of thugs in uniform that that I'll be more than happy to see go or get barred from Warrant/Officer while they now have to clean up or feel the righteous fury of the SGM's wrath.
If I could change one thing, I would roll the Reserves into the Active components and add an additional duty status to fill the grey area the Reserves live in and Soldiers/Marines hide in. Fixes the money, fixes the equipment, fixes the training, and gets rid of a lot of trash the new environment is aimed at fixing (but won't be able to). The National Guard already does this to a degree in preparation for mobilization. I would take it to the next level for the Federal forces and start cleaning house.
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