Interviews
Monday, May 19th, barnesandnoble on AOL welcomed Tom Clancy and retired four-star general Fred Franks Jr. Tom Clancy is the author of nine bestselling novels, including THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, PATRIOT GAMES, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, DEBT OF HONOR, and EXECUTIVE ORDERS. For his latest book, INTO THE STORM -- which looks deeply into the operational art of war -- Clancy has teamed up with General Franks.
Tom Clancy: Howdy. Let me begin by saying something. Fred Franks is one of my heroes. He may not look like John Wayne, but he really did it, and this book is about him. Okay, shall we begin?
Question: What was it like to work with General Schwarzkopf? Did you work closely throughout Desert Storm? Tom, do you know the general?
Tom Clancy: I have met Norm, but I'll let Fred handle this. Take it, pal.
Fred Franks: OK. I worked most closely with John Yeosock, 3d Army commander, but also got to brief General Schwarzkopf.
Question: Mr. Clancy and General Franks, what does the U.S. have to prepare for most in the future? Terrorism, smaller battles, etc.?
Tom Clancy: That's a good question, and nobody has the answer. The future will probably not hold much in the way of major conflicts. Saddam Hussein helped us teach the world why that is not a good idea, but we need to be ready for them in any case. Similarly, we need to train ourselves to handle terrorism and low-intensity conflict, and that is an exercise in intelligence more than anything else.
Fred Franks: I think we have to continue to be ready for a full range of challenges and not get fixed on one.
Question: General Franks, why did you decide to have your corps launch their attack a day earlier than planned in the Persian Gulf War?
Fred Franks: We were ordered to attack earlier. I was asked if we could go early. I said yes and we went. We were asked at 0930 and could have gone anytime after noon. We attacked at 1430. Reacting that fast was a tribute to the soldiers and small-unit leaders. I was proud of them.
Question: This question is for both Tom and the general: What do you think about the perspective changes in the American armed forces, e.g., the U.S. will now only be prepared to fight two simultaneous wars instead of three.
Tom Clancy: I'll leave that one to Fred as well. (Guys, I'm just a writer. Fred's the general.)
Fred Franks: Since the Bottom Up Review, it has been two what are called MRCs, or major regional contingencies.
Question: Tom, it amazes me that you are privy to
sooooo much information concerning the armed forces. How did you manage to get "beyond the firewall" and embraced by our commanders?
Tom Clancy: Well, I guess they like me. But seriously, I tell the truth. It really is that simple. I have never been given classified information. I don't need it.
Question: This question is for General Franks: As a military man, do you ever wish you could travel back in time and experience warfare when it was less sophisticated?
Fred Franks: No, I felt fortunate to have been able to serve when I did and with the troops I served with.
Question: Do either of you find the recent findings regarding chemical weapons in Desert Storm disturbing? Are you surprised? Is this addressed in INTO THE STORM?
Fred Franks: We were prepared for chemical warfare, but as far as we could determine it was not used during the war. In the book I talk of our preparations and our Task Force Demo that blew up Iraqi ammo after the war.
Question: Do you discuss the U.S. Army during the 1970s and the damage it suffered in INTO THE STORM?
Tom Clancy: Yes, we do, but Fred, again, is the expert.
Fred Franks: Yes, that is covered in the chapter on the "Rebirth of the Army," a good-news story for America. That rebirth was a story of a lot of hard work, determination, and sacrifice by many.
Question: Tom, at what age did you realize that you loved all that was military, and what triggered your passion?
Tom Clancy: I guess I just like the toys. All the rights we have were won for us in battle. That's how the world works. The soldier gave you every right you have.
Question: Will you guys work on another nonfiction book together?
Tom Clancy: One thing at a time. We have to sell this one first.
Question: I have heard you talk about the "big five" in INTO THE STORM. Can you explain this?
Tom Clancy: Not sure what you mean. Fred?
Fred Franks: The big five were major weapons programs (Tank, Bradley, Apache, Blackhawk, Patriot) in the '80s. It was a way to tell the Congress the army's most pressing needs for modernization. It was a way thought up by General Bill DePuy and approved by General Creighton Abrams in the mid-'70s. It worked, and they all were superb performers in Desert Storm.
Question: What are the biggest effects information technology will have on the military, the world? Do you both use the Internet to research your books?
Tom Clancy: War is about information. The commander who knows the most will always win the battle. In the research side, that wasn't necessary. Fred Franks did it all himself.
Fred Franks: Thanks, Tom! Info tech can potentially move needed info about the battlefield much more rapidly. That is a big plus. The army just completed an experiment at Fort Irwin on this area. We have been looking at it since 1992.
Question: Mr. Clancy, how are things going at Red Storm Entertainment? What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
Tom Clancy: Classified. We will field one game this fall. That is all I can say right now.
Question: I look forward to reading INTO THE STORM. What should I, as a civilian, take away from it?
Tom Clancy: You will learn what it means to be a commander, how hard it is, how smart you have to be. The sheer intellectual complexity of the task will awe you.
Fred Franks: A story about land warfare and what soldiers and commanders do when called. A story about battle.
Question: General Franks, what is the greatest reward living a military life? Mr. Clancy, what is the greatest reward writing about the military life?
Tom Clancy: Getting to know the best people we have. Three weeks ago I was at Fort Irwin, the National Training Center. The quality of the kids beggars description, and they're still ready.
Fred Franks: The greatest reward is the cause we serve and those soldiers we are privileged to serve with in peace and war.
Moderator: Thank you, Tom Clancy and General Fred Franks! Thank you for coming, everyone!
Tom Clancy: Guys, thanks for coming.
Fred Franks: Many thanks for the questions and interest.
