The link you posted is relevant to the mental hurdles faced today by the private based on a FOB in Eastern Afghanistan, all the way to SecDef.

The first time I went to OEF in 07 as a brand new 1Lt, I was naive enough to believe that we held the moral high ground from the Afghan perspective. What I saw with my own eyes raised more questions than answers. Primarily, We are spending our blood and treasure to bring these people into the modern century by establishing democracy, why won't they embrace it? To show my ignorance, I really thought that they hated us because of "our freedoms". Sad I know, I was only aware of one narrative. I had no idea that there is a world narrative that doesn't protray the USA as the world savior. To be clear, I believe there is truth to be found in both.

During my first deployment in 07, I happened to read about John Boyd. His theories on Patterns of Conflict, OODA, the Moral, Mental, and Physical levels of war. It helped to provide perspective and context to what I saw with my own eyes. Around that sametime I ran across Lind's "On War" Blog. I was blown away by his articulate, well thought out views on warfare; primarily generational warfare.

The article you provided shows the mental transition that must happen if a military wants to remain relevant. Lind is masterful in his explanation of generational warfare. The problem with the USA is that basic doctrine for convential forces is rooted in 2nd generational warfare(2GW) based on mass of firepower. That's wonderful, until you fight someone who is practicing manuever warfare(3rd generation) or 4th generation(militia, insurgency, etc.) It speaks to fundemental problems with our military theory, The USA is no longer capable of winning the wars we face today or in the future. If you go in residence to a Professional Military Education course (PME), it briefly covers history and the same ineffective regurgitated (2GW) BS that renders useless.

It's safe to say I never thought about war same way ever again.