So.......IS "Hack" a hack?

[Abominable No-Man]

This is obviously in relation to the thread about the XM-8 that was started over in "Rifle Country", but I think that there is a good point that was brought up:

Is David Haskell Hackworth, COL, USA (ret) a "hack"?

I, for one, have read a few of his articles as well as "About Face", and I have a few observations I would like to share:

1) He was absolutely livid about the "military-industial complex" churning out weapons and equipment of questionable usage and durability. Yet, in the article, stated that the XM-8 (which is a 5.56 and made with plastic) is much better than the M16 (which is also 5.56 and made with plastic).

2) He is/was so very much against influence peddling and similar practices by retired military officers of flag rank and above concerning the questionable weapons and equipment mentioned earlier- what is he doing, now?

I am of the opinion that Hackworth should probably stay away from gun
writing at least- the M16 appears to be a subject with him that brings out
a lot of ...........let's just say dubious information.

In other things, I agree with him entirely, but this just ain't one of 'em. I didn't spend 20+ years in the Army, start out in the rear ranks after WWII, and rise to the rank of bird colonel, but on the same note, I've been around for a while, too. I don't think that Hackworth really knows the difference between the M16 issued in 2004 versus the M16 that was issued at the beginning of Vietnam.

ANM

 

[Justin]

The short answer?

Yes.

Might have had something worthwhile to say years ago, but has since become nothing more than another talking head jostling to get his mug on-air as often as possible.

 

[sendec]

What's wrong with Adam Ant?

Is'nt he a pro stunt pilot now?

Oh yeah, Hack's a journalist in the Geraldo vein.

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I voted, "a little of both", from my reading and from observations of him on TV. He is a mixed bag, at the minimum.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Hey! I actually like some of Adam Ant's stuff.
Sendec, you are thinking of Gary Numan of "Cars" fame.
Fear Factory did a cool cover of the song "Cars" with Gary Numan singing some parts.
I don't know much about Hackworth, but he always seemed like a bit of an donkey's rear when I saw him on Fox.

 

[Trebor]

Read the notes in "Blackhawk Down" for Mark Bowden's comments on Hack's article on Somalia. Bowden didn't think much of Hack's research or accuracy in that instance.

 

[El Tejon]

[El Tejon singing] "Don't drink, don't smoke, what do ya do?"

Go back and hide in Oz, Hack. Please leave us alone.

 

[Tamara]

I think he's acting from sincere motives. I also think he's a prisoner of his own schtick. When you see an interview with R. Lee Ermey, he knows he's playing up a character on "Mail Call" and suchlike. I don't think David Hackworth realizes that he's playing "The Hack" all the time.

There is no place in his whistleblower "I've-got-the-inside-scoop-on-how-our-boys-are-being-screwed-again" act for him to say "Hey, everything's swell with...". His income and image is premised on whatever he's writing about being completely screwed up but he knows how to fix it.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

I've read some of his articles and have found him interesting. I think that in becoming a journalist/commentator, he is very subject to the whims of the occaisional 'slow news day' and some of his writings are of little interest or just mere filler. Other times he writes something that is truly sublime and his insight is very good.

He's no different than many other journalist/commentators, hit or miss.

-Jim

 

[Dirty Bob]

A bit of both

I think that, like a lot of us, he hits and misses. Some of his stuff is right on, and other things he's written -- like his Somalia gunbattle analysis -- wasn't so good. I agree with him 100% regarding the M-16 (I used the M-14 in the Navy). Don't get me started on that POS, the M-60.

On the other hand, my wife, my mother-in-law and I met him in Las Cruces, NM, where he was doing a book signing for his latest novel. He signed my old copy of About Face and was a heck of a nice guy. We all had a delightful conversation.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[Hutch]

I agree w/ Tamara (surprise). He's BTDT, hung his rear-end out on the line for us more than just about anyone, but now he's a creature of his own outlook.

 

[FPrice]

I think I have Hackworth's book downstairs in storage somewhere. IIRC he does have a record to be proud of. And he quite probably has some legitimate complaints about the DOD (don't we all?).

Perhaps in his frustration with the fact that the "establishment" has not seen the error of their ways as exposed by Hackworth he seems to have become an eternal complainer. Probably many of his complaints and criticisms have a basis of truth but he seems to have come to the point where he is ineffective in his presentation and effectiveness.

Perhaps the "Gunny" needs to take him aside, get him drunk, then talk to him.

 

[Viking6]

I voted a little of both. It's not that he's not entitled to his opinion; it's like he reciting off tablets of stone. I remember reading Tony Herbert's book "Soldier" and Charlie Beckwith's book, title not remembered and came away with the feeling "another self-made man in love with the creator". Respect his service, take his columns as more food for thought than gospel.

 

[Mannlicher]

The Hack even has trouble with his memoirs..................

 

[jdkelly]

Just a problem with authority

From what I've read about Col Hackworth, and I am a fan, he is (was) a fine warrior, an innovator, and problem solver. He's been known to weed out the dead wood and instill pride and motivate the lazy.

What makes him unique, at least somewhat, is a problem he has with authority. Especially those who can't or won't understand him.

But that doesn't mean his opinion on anything other then battalion level combat is relevant. Oh, and I understand you don't want to play cards with him either.

(I've only read about the man)
Respectfully,

jdkelly

 

[MinScout]

Hack has been there, done that, and then some. I don't agree with everything he says, but I think he's earned the right to be heard.