Since France conceals its military tactics . . .

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2014)

. . . to maintain a strategic advantage, it's up to Americans such as Stanley Kubrick and Kirk Douglas--the PATHS OF GLORY creators--to expose the secrets of French military success. Many of these tips involve execution by firing squad. When you face embarrassment from whistle blowers such as Edward Snowden and Monica Lewinsky, just shoot them (like Corporal Phillip Paris here). Since decorated war heroes such as SERGEANT YORK or that Pennsylvania Marine who gunned down his ex-wife and her family this week, can become post-war liabilities, just shoot them before the war ends (like Private Pierre Renaud's fate here). With the high cost of medical care, when soldiers are wounded in battle, why award them Purple Hearts, when you can just finish the job the Enemy started and shoot them (like Private Maurice Ferol here), even if you need to strap their stretcher to the execution post and slap them out of a comatose state (Private Renaud's fate here)? This French approach to Military Discipline virtually eliminates the need for veterans' benefits and V.A. hospitals, while insuring sterling reputations for the general staff Muckety-Mucks. True, it takes a lot of bullets (nine per soldier) and sandbags to do things the French Way, as depicted in PATHS OF GLORY. Maybe the guillotine would be cheaper.