The Department of Defense released the name of Colonel Thomas H. Felts who was killed in a roadside bombing on November 14th, along with another soldier. It is unusual to see a Colonel listed as a casualty. More unusual still, Col Felts was assigned to the Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies located in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Because of his rank, I suspect he was a student in the Advanced Operational Arts Studies Fellowship, an elite school for senior officers marked for advancement. The school’s web page includes this statement:

“ During year one, fellows follow a curriculum that includes graduate-level study of military art and science, visits to combatant and service component commands, guest speakers, and practical exercises in campaign and major operations planning” (emphasis added)

I don’t know Col Felt’s purpose in Iraq, but his death highlights the dedication military services have to understand and improve the way America fights. Too often detractors and supporters of the US efforts in Iraq use the throw-away statement “We’ve made mistakes prosecuting the war in Iraq” or something similar without ever thinking “Compared to what?” Our prosecution of the war has been very successful compared to past wars in terms of casualty rates and responsiveness to the enemy. Much of this is due to the advancements developed in war colleges of the Army and sister institutions in the Navy, Marines, and Air Force.

My condolences go out to the family of Colonel Felts.