Canadians in Afghanistan six times more likely to die than Americans in Iraq

[Asher]

We're America, but without America's cultural problems.

But it is true that in the US many soldiers are "short-term" people who enlist for school, etc. Canada's soldiers tend to be career soldiers.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
You Canadians never cease to amaze me.

Why exactly ?

[Dinner]

I think this basically boils do to lack of experience fighting wars. Canada has a great record for peace keeping but the skills which make you a great peace keeper are not the skills which make you good at fighting war and vis versa.

[Dinner]

Another good point was made in this thread. Canada has a small number of troops compared to the 150,000 the US has in Iraq so one or two events can cause a large percentage jump in the numbers. Basically the OP article was crap but we already knew that given who posted it.

[SlowwHand]

I'm going to admit something to you. Luck is real. This is true.

[Arrian]

Exactly, Oerdin (2nd post anyway). It's a combo of small sample size and change in mission.

Move to the hot spot and go after the enemy and you will take some casualties.

-Arrian

[Asher]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I think this basically boils do to lack of experience fighting wars. Canada has a great record for peace keeping but the skills which make you a great peace keeper are not the skills which make you good at fighting war and vis versa.

The main problem is untrained US reservists. They shouldn't be allowed near weapons.

[Dinner]

I believe we were talking about the Canadian military's higher death rate. That those "untrained" reservists have a lower death rate then the active duty Canadian military says something I think. That's not the total picture of course but it is a factor.

Another factor is that the reservists in the US actually are trained well, are well equiped, and most of them are now on their second through fourth combat tour. They're likely better trained and more experienced then most of Canada's active duty military.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I believe we were talking about the Canadian military's higher death rate. That those "untrained" reservists have a lower death rate then the active duty Canadian military says something I think. That's not the total picture of course but it is a factor.

Another factor is that the reservists in the US actually are trained well, are well equiped, and most of them are now on their second through fourth combat tour. They're likely better trained and more experienced then most of Canada's active duty military.

I'm referring to the US Reservists' penchant for bombing Canadians. And strafing them with A-10s.

If that's "well-trained", it's clear why they aren't winning the Iraq war.

And I highly doubt that US Reservists are better trained than full-time, career military men in Canada. I realize you're proud of your service, but let's get real here -- you're part-time in a service that values quantity over quality.

Canada can afford much higher standards than the US can in admission to its military. Per capita we have far less military personnel than the US. That recent Montreal shooter, for instance, was turned down from joining the Canadian military years ago.

[SlowwHand]

So now it's "they"? What about the greatly contributing Canadians?

Flubber, you paying attention? This is why.

[Asher]

I'm also unsure why Oerdin think it's apt to compare death rates of Americans in largely passive Iraq versus Canadians in the "hottest" region of Afghanistan.

More of the Afghanis in Kandahar are anti-NATO than Iraqis. They're loyal to the Taliban.

[Asher]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
So now it's "they"? What about the greatly contributing Canadians?

Flubber, you paying attention? This is why.

Um. What?

The greatly contributing Canadians to the Iraq war?

Why don't you come back to this thread when you know what we're talking about. Canada doesn't touch Iraq, that's your war.

[SlowwHand]

Largely passive Iraq.

FLUBBER!

[Asher]

The citizens of Iraq are largely passive compared to the Taliban loyalists in Kandahar.

Yes, there's suicide bombers and resistance, but it's not nearly as openly hostile as the Kandahar region where the people are still mostly passionately loyal to the Taliban.

[Kontiki]

I wasn't aware that Canada had many combat troops in Iraq.

I can see why Canadians amaze you, though. The ability to read, write and form coherent arguments must be dazzling to a Texan.