US Mechanized Infantryman in the First Gulf War

Description

In many ways the end of the Vietnam War left the US army a spent force. Plagued by low morale, drug and race issues, and terrible public relations, the army faced an uphill climb in the effort to rebuild itself. The story of this reconstruction is mirrored in the rise of the Mechanized Infantryman. Deciding that the key to future conflict lay in highly trained and mobile warriors that could be delivered quickly to battle, the army adopted the mechanized infantryman as its frontline troops. This new, all volunteer force was given the best training and equipment. Most notably, they were to be deployed onto the battlefield from the new M2 Bradley Armoured Fighting Vehicle. This new breed of American warriors got their first test in the First Gulf War. Fighting in the deserts of Kuwait and Iraq, these soldiers proved that the US Army was once again a force with which to be reckoned. This book tells the story of the rise of the US mechanised infantryman, focusing on his recruitment, training, lifestyle and combat experiences in Iraq.

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a special operations forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.

"Gordon L Rottman, author of US Mechanized Infantryman in the First Gulf War describes in great detail exactly what happened in this confrontation from the perspective of the main force deployed against Iraq... The former Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran has a keen eye for the soldier's perspective on things. Rottman also has a command of the tactical overview and a gift for making explanations of weaponry and mechanized infantry tactics seem easy to understand... All in all this new title is a must-have for anyone interested in the Gulf War. This is a great book packed with information for the historian and modeler alike." --Karl N Hoy, Toy Soldier & Model Figure