"Strade sicure", the Chief of SME is echoed by General Bertolini: "a disaster for the Italian Army"

The recent statements of the Chief of SME General C.A. Paratrooper Carmine Masiello in the parliamentary commission on the issues generated by the "Strade Sicure" operation are echoed by an extremely authoritative voice in the military world: that of General C.A. (Ret.) Paratrooper Incursor Marco Bertolini, now retired and current president of the ANPd'I. Bertolini, with a military career of over 40 years among Special Forces and Paratroopers, which saw him engaged in high, indeed, very high-profile war theaters and at the highest Commands of the Armed Force (Commander of the 9th Regiment Col Moschin and the Paratrooper Brigade Folgore), Defense (Commander of the C.O.F.S. and the Joint Operational Command) and NATO (Chief of Staff of the ISAF Command in Afghanistan, the first Italian officer to hold this role), in an interview with Resto del Carlino, expressed a severe critique regarding the "Strade Sicure" operation, calling it a "disaster for the Italian Army".

The former Commander of the Folgore argues that employing the Army in territorial control tasks takes away valuable military personnel from the training and preparation necessary to operate effectively in a defined "war fighting" context. This type of employment, according to the General, is not in line with the very essence of the Army soldier, who would instead be underutilized, possessing far more advanced skills than those of a police officer.

General Bertolini's position is clear: "Using military force in the fight against 'street' petty crime is like using a cannon to shoot at an ant". The Officer also emphasizes that the armed forces, lacking judicial police functions, are not equipped to perform these tasks optimally, which should be left to the police forces, already numerous and endowed with the necessary prerogatives to maintain public order.

General Bertolini also highlights the vision often supported by political figures, such as former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who saw the use of the Army for public order tasks as a response to the apparent inactivity of the military in peacetime. However, the General reminds that peace is often illusory, with conflicts close to the Italian borders and missions in war theaters requiring constant and dedicated preparation.

BrigataFolgore.net fully shares General Bertolini's position. Using soldiers for police tasks, and even worse without the legal tools of the police forces (General Bertolini does not mince words, calling it "Second-Class Police Officer"), is like forcing, we add, a Formula 1 driver to drive a commercial car. This practice not only devalues military personnel but also prevents adequate preparation to face real emergency situations, where the Army can and must truly make a difference.

The words of Bertolini therefore represent an authoritative and critical voice, a call to reconsider the allocation of military resources to tasks for which they have not been trained. Without adequately prepared armed forces, a country cannot be considered truly sovereign. This principle, the General argues, and to which we join our voices, is essential to understand the importance of keeping the Army engaged in tasks consistent with its fundamental mission of national defense and management of large-scale emergencies.

Today more than ever, with war at the doorstep of the European continent, having a well-trained Army is of fundamental importance. We at BrigataFolgore.net have received, informally, numerous reports of the lack of time dedicated to training by soldiers employed in "Strade Sicure". This operation, which currently employs 6,800 soldiers, is heavily burdensome for the Armed Force. Training is the raison d'être of the Army in peacetime and must remain so to ensure operational readiness aimed at maintaining the efficiency of a nation's defense system.

In conclusion, BrigataFolgore.net joins General Bertolini in criticizing the improper use of the army in police operations. The security of the territory and the maintenance of public order must remain the competence of the police forces, leaving the Army free to train and prepare for the complex challenges that the future may hold.