Running the War in Iraq, by Major General Jim Molan

Running the War in Iraq, by Major General Jim Molan, Australian Army Retired; 2008: Harper Collins Publishers; Sydney, Australia; ISBN: 9780732287818; ISBN10: 0732287812; 358 pages.

Some interesting links to about the book:

http://www.harpercollins.com.au/books/9780732287818/Running_the_War_in_Iraq/index.aspx

http://www.homepagedaily.com/Pages/article5542-is-australian-general-jim-molan-a-war-criminal.aspx

http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/letters/index.php/theaustralian/comments/the_facts_about_fallujah/desc#commentsmore

Let me begin this review, by saying, I am prejudiced as I worked for Major General Jim Molan for almost six months in Iraq. I honestly believe, he is one of the finest professional soldiers I have encountered in my thirty-three years in the United States Army.

This is the story of one man’s year in Iraq. An Australian Major General, who having served his nation in a variety of Command and Staff positions, to include leading the Australian Peace Keeping Contingent in East Timor, was asked by the Chief of the Australian Armed Forces to go to Iraq to be the Chief of Operations for Multi-National Force Iraq.

Before I discuss, Major General Molan book, let me describe him. Over six feet tall, with blondish white hair and boyish look, he is a person who is in constant motion. He barks orders and directions non-stop, provides up close and personnel guidance, is a deep thinker, who has the ability to translate his complex thoughts in to easily understood English. I remember one night, as he was providing guidance on establishing security for High Power Transmission Lines, he said, “we need to kill the bastards.” After much thought and consideration we put his exact words into the Fragmentary Order, and when he saw this asked why I used such language, and I replied because that is what you said. Ultimately we changed the language, somewhat, but the intent was still the same, if someone was messing around the Power Transmission Lines, kill them.

This book is about one Australian’s year in Iraq. Molen enlisted in the Australian Army in the late 1960’s and attended their Military College. After commissioning, he hoped like many others to be posted to Vietnam, but like the United States Australia wanted out of Southeast Asia as quickly as possible. Molen held a variety of Command and Staff positions, to include be a rated aviator, before being promoted to Brigadier. Many of his posting were outside of Australia and involved what we would refer to as counterinsurgency operations. At one point, after he was promoted to Major General, he Commander the Australian contingent in East Timor.

In late 2003, the Chief of the Australian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove asked, actually directed, that Prime Minister Howard had recommended him for a Senior Staff position in Iraq, and that the American had concurred and he was being assigned as the Director of Operations. Upon arriving in Iraq, Molen found that the then Commander of MNFI, Lieutenant General Ric Sanchez was not interested in him being his Director of Operations and instead made of Director of Civil Military Operations. In that capacity he worked closely with the U. S. Army Civil Affairs units in restoring the civil infrastructure. He also saw first hand, how the Coalition Forces, in particular were not prepared to fight an insurgency.

In June of 2004, when General George Casey assumed Command of MNFI, Molen approached him about being his Director of Operations. Casey, while reluctant at first, soon came to realize that Molen was what was needed. An unconventional thinker, he would argue his case forcefully, but if the decision went against him he would salute and move out. As Colonel William J. Buchan, Commandant of Cadets during my Cadetship at VMI use to say, that quality is what separates the professionals from the also rans.

Upon assuming the position of Director of Operations, Molen was immediately thrust into the maelstrom of Najef and Karbala; then Fallujah and finally the elections. The vast majority of the book deals with the day to day operations in Iraq. This is a very personnel book, and while informative and providing great insight into the conditions which existed in 2004-2005, it only obliquely touches on the grand political issues associated with Iraq and our involvement there.

For those who were in Iraq at that time, it is worth reading. For me it was a chance to reflect on my service in Iraq, and to remember the many wonderful people I encountered there. Serving with Major General Jim Molan was special. He was unique and very different than his American counterparts. He taught me a lot. I feel fortunate having been able to serve with him.

An aside note; in World War II, my father was on the Pensacola Convey sailing towards the Philippines on December 7, 1941. The Pensacola Convey was redirected from the Philippines to Australia. My father was assigned to the Combined Joint Staff, which ultimately became the nucleus of MacArthur staff. In that capacity he was assigned to the G2 of the Australian Army, where he worked for an Australian Major General for eight months. Some sixty years later, I his son, also had the honor and privilege of serving alongside and for an Australian Major General. Unfortunately my father did not live to hear of this, but somehow I suspect he knows and is smiling on this Memorial Day, that the two nations Australia and United States, while separate by a common language, are still serving together.