The Army should learn to improvise

Re “Bomb Buster for Iraq Hits Pentagon Snag,” Feb. 12

Your article on the Joint IED Neutralizer (which can destroy roadside improvised explosive devices) showed how the Army has become mired in bureaucracy. As a former Army officer and combat veteran, I am appalled that the Army has essentially killed this project by saying it needs further study. Considering what the neutralizer is designed to do, a 90% success rate is amazing. Even if it proves to be only 50% effective, it is still far better than doing nothing.

Kudos to the Marines for taking the initiative to deploy the neutralizer in Iraq, doing something that is a basic tenant of military operations: protect the force. The Army’s leadership at the upper levels needs to pull its head out of the sand. One thing I was taught in my training and through experience is that a good plan well executed is far better than a perfect plan executed poorly. If the Army is waiting for that perfect plan, it will be waiting a long time.

Keep it up, Marines. I think your leadership understands the problem. Leaders take action.

WILLIAM COLE

Raleigh, N.C.

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How many lives have to be lost from roadside bombs in Iraq before the Pentagon allows Joint IED Neutralizers to be deployed? Isn’t a 90% success rate good enough? Maybe Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should ask the families of soldiers killed by these roadside bombs what they think.

JANET RAFFALOW

Valley Glen

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I propose a simple method to eliminate Pentagon delays in deploying the system. Notify all of the responsible Pentagon officers that they will shortly be transferred to lead street patrols in Iraq.

FLOYD F. SABINS

Fullerton