WASHINGTON: The new commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps feels the corps should grow in size to take care of the increasing needs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gen James Conway, who took up the top job eight days ago, told newspersons this is absolutely necessary if the country does not want to compromise on training or put undue stress on the corps.
It is hard to judge this man solely based on one statement but this thought process seems suspect to me. Perhaps I am just a cynic.
The Marine Corps does not need to grow, not right away - it needs to step back, refocus on core capabilities and correct several of the creeping killers (political correctness, risk aversion and feminism).
Every service believes it has to adapt and adjust to "support the global War on Terror" which really means "hey we have to get a piece of the pie in order to ensure we keep getting funding.
This is exactly why we have ridiculous situations like Johnnie describes "Boatswain's Mate[s] kicking down doors in cordon and search ops" or the Air Force sending their effeminate flunkies to "basic warrior skills courses" so they can "get out and train the Iraqi Army" (imagine that- the Air Force training an Army - the world is upside down).
A few months ago the Navy threw around the idea of creating Naval Infantry Battalions - hey swabbie Admirals the last time I checked the premier "Naval Infantry Battalions" in the world were located in the USMC; you know those boys you give rides to in the belly of your boats (no offense Johnny to you on my "boat" usage - that was directed at the fellows that came up with the stupid NIB idea).
Poor old Barry Goldwater must have been close to senility when his name was attached to the infamous and poorly thought out Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986.
The fact is all the service have a role and they ought to stick to that. The Air Force should keep to flying, the Navy to managing the blue and brown water and airspace in those areas, the Army fights and wins land wars. Finally, the USMC should provide the unique capability it has always provided - it should not strive to expand to become a miniature Army. If anyone needs proof of that just take a gander at how screwed up the Army is - do we really want to risk the USMC going the same way.
That is one ugly uniform – what a stupid idea to put camouflage on people working on a ship at sea…the excuse that it will “cover up” paint and grease stains is weak.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I always liked about the Navy was that senior NCO’s and officers wore different uniforms. Not only is this uniform dumb looking; it is a nod toward egalitarianism – I don’t like it.