Army Capt. Jim Mazel has been an assistant professor of military science and the scholarship enrollment officer for MSU's Army ROTC program for two years.
Previously, he was an aviation officer and served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Korea and Bosnia. Mazel is a 1994 MSU ROTC program graduate.
Below, Mazel tells The State News how this war compares to the previous one in the Persian Gulf and what U.S. troops and civilians can expect to face overseas and at home.
Q: What changes will be made in strategy during this war as opposed to Operation Desert Storm in 1991?
A: This is going to be a more targeted war. It has a clear objective as far as moving Saddam Hussein and his sons out of power, and as far as finding any weapons of mass destruction.
We have learned a lot of lessons from the previous war and I think those will translate into newer weapon systems that will be more precise and more tailored to the war with Iraq.
Q: What are the lessons we have learned?
A: First of all, a greater effort is being made to instruct the Iraqi military leaders on how to surrender. This will save their own lives and the lives of their troops. They are doing everything they can to limit the casualties not only of civilians but also of their military.
Over the last couple of weeks we have been dropping a lot of leaflets, (making) phone calls to generals, e-mails to generals - all with the intent of reducing the amount of lives lost. (The U.S. government is) letting the Iraqi people know we are coming after Saddam Hussein and the weapons of mass destruction.
Q: How much does the threat of weapons of mass destruction weigh into this conflict?
A: I think it is the issue. Without the weapons of mass destruction, we wouldn't be going there in the first place and the threat of them being used is the most dangerous course of action against American troops.
Q: What will dictate how long the war takes to complete?
A: The most difficult thing will be locating Saddam Hussein. Once that's done it is like a snake, you cut off the head and the rest of the body isn't a threat.
Once we find and isolate Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi people know he won't be in power, I think any units that are hiding out will be prone to surrender at that point.
Q: What changes in military technology have taken place since the first Gulf War?
A: More than ever before, there is an attempt to reduce friendly fire casualties, which were a major issue in Desert Storm.
They will aid in the military's situational awareness so that everyone knows where they are in the battlefield, where other friendly units are on the battlefield and where the enemy is.
Q: Do you think there will be threats on the home front?
A: I wish I knew with any certainty what and where (the threats) are going (to be). I think there will be people that will use this as an opportunity to advance their own political agendas which has very little to do with the war in Iraq.
Q: How do you expect soldiers to be treated upon returning?
A: I think it will be similar to the return after Desert Storm. People have a clear understanding. They know that soldiers are not policy-makers and that they are simply acting upon the policy of elected officials.
The vast majority of people have supported the troops whether or not they support the war.
