Russian conscripts vs. 1st Marine Division or 82nd Airborne

[Q] - With the Russian Bear deciding the 'Great Game ' is back on and
steady growth of the Chinese military--History and big geopolitics is,
as Robert Kagan says, making a comeback.

Geopolitics and History invariably lead to the Clauswitzian politics
by other means--war.

And in those other means, the United States has a distinct advantage
over all others--not just in machines and materials--but where it
counts the most: NCO and Officer Leadership.

On March 20th, 2003, when the U.S. led coaltion crossed from Kuwait
into Iraq, very few officers and non-commissioned officers of any rank
had actual combat experience.

Five years and several