For the record, our division commander BANNED things called “presence patrols” in Iraq.
“If you don’t have a specific task & purpose, your ‘presence’ doesn’t do anything.”
National Guard stating they are now doing presence patrols in DC.
A complete waste of soldier’s time & effort.
I’d say it doesn’t do anything good, but reminds those who must experience the presence that soldiers are there as a reminder that the civilians are living under occupation, and in this case also as a threat.
Feelings of occupation, real or perceived, hardens a populace to resist more effectively. They don't get to score a win.
