Comments on: Marine Commandant Fears Iraq Effects on Corps

By: graywolf

graywolf — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:24:13 +0000

The USMC has historically lobbied for independence from the Navy and as an all-purpose ground fighting force.

Be careful what you wish for.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:38:49 +0000

Trivial mind that I have, I am bemused by the notion that the Marines should focus their efforts on a landlocked country.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:15:24 +0000

I would be interested on the way they would handle logistical support and infrastructure. Would most of the bases logistic in Afghanistan be turn over to the Navy or what? Not that it can’t be done but the specifics could be interesting.

By: Rolly

Rolly — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:13:47 +0000

The former Army officer in me is mildly amused, however, that it’s now the Marine Corps expressing this concern...

The Marines were the first US troops in force to go the Afghanistan:

On November 25, 2001, the Marines and Sailors of the 15th MEU (SOC) began Operation Swift Freedom. Conducting an amphibious assault over 400 miles into the landlocked country of Afghanistan the Marines and Sailors set new standards to the Marine Corps Amphibious doctrine. Landing at a remote airbase, 90 miles southwest of Kandahar, the Marines established Camp Rhino, America's first Forward Operating Base while maintaining the first significant conventional ground presence.

And the former Marine in me recalls being amused at a story in the NY Times about this wherein young Army officers were wondering why the Army couldn't have MEU-like capability. :)

(I also recall from the story that some Taliban drove out to the base in pickup trucks armed with machine guns to see what the hubbub was. Reality check insued.)

By: Jim Henley

Jim Henley — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:09:29 +0000

You would think that, from a bureaucratic standpoint, the Marines would want to share in the credit for the great victory that, I read everywhere this week, we are having in Iraq again. (How many times can you win one war, anyway? We've won this one over and over.)