![Quote](images/sand/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Raum
"In wars that the U.S. have been involved in since the end of World War II; the ratio of U.S. combat troops to combat service support and support have gone from 4 support soldiers to 1 infantryman to 7 support soldiers to 1 infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan." - Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn
So, using the combat to support troop ratio, we're arguably a less efficient fighting force today than in WWII. Probably not very surprising giving all the technological changes. That same ratio can be used to measure efficiency of different forces - assuming you have access to all the numbers. It isn't really cut and dry...special forces units often pull support from regular troops, Marines get support from the Navy, etc. It's just one potential measurement with its own inherent flaws. That's why I said 'better' is largely opinion. It will depend on everything from personal bias to what they're intended to do. As Mike G mentioned, you need the right tool for the job.