New uniforms for war in Afghanistan, new name for war in Iraq

Image courtesy: Maj. Deanna Bague

There are two interesting items from the Pentagon this afternoon to report. First, according to a Department of Defense news release, all soldiers deploying to Afghanistan will be given new uniforms, beginning this summer. The new digs are in the "multicam" pattern, pictured above, and are said to be fire resistant. The Pentagon said a rigorous four month process determined the new camouflage pattern would help soldiers blend in more effectively, while also providing better protection against fires and explosions.

While this change seems to make sense, it is extremely important that money is also being spent to give our troops proper weapons and armor on the battlefield. According to the news release, the uniform changes will be accompanied by "associated equipment including body armor, rucksacks, and helmet covers." This is positive news, as a servicemember should never be deployed without the necessary equipment.

As for Iraq, ABC News reports that President Obama has decided that Operation Iraqi Freedom will be renamed Operation New Dawn. A memo from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Gen. David Petraeus says the September 1 name change "sends a strong signal that Operation Iraqi Freedom has ended and our forces are operating under a new mission."

Of course, the Bush administration named the conflict Operation Iraqi Freedom, so the Obama administration's decision to change the name is raising some eyebrows since the current president was against his predecessor's decision to invade. As ABC News notes, Brian Wise, the executive director of Military Families United, is criticizing the move.

"You cannot end a war simply by changing its name. Despite the Administration’s efforts to spin realities on the ground, their efforts do not change the situation at hand in Iraq.

Operational military decisions should not be made for purposes of public relations, as the Secretary of Defense cites, but should be made in the best interests of our nation, the troops on the ground and their families back home."

I understand the criticism and think good Americans can disagree on this subject. I also hope that the directive to change the name was reached with careful consideration to all troops who have served in Iraq. Tombstones of fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery and around the country say "Operation Iraqi Freedom," so it is important that their sacrifice is always remembered and respected, and never clouded by politics.