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Old 04-10-2023, 04:33 PM
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Unhappy How the nation’s Corps of Marines has lost its way

How the nation’s Corps of Marines has lost its way
By: James Livingston and Jay Vargas - Stars & Stripes News 04-10-23
Re: https://www.stripes.com/opinion/2023...179d-296839051

The United States Marine Corps is facing irreparable damage from two well-intended but ill-conceived concept documents.

One already has devastated its offensive spirit and capabilities. The other is destined to erode the ethos and undermine the special identity of its Marines.

Force Design 2030 and Talent Management 2030 will change how Marines fight and how they see themselves. They will dim the pride that once characterized the Marine Corps in the eyes of the American people. They will erode confidence inside and outside the Corps that United States Marines can locate, close with and destroy the enemy today and in the future.

Marines always have seen themselves as different: America’s shock troops, with one foot on land and the other foot at sea. Marines pride themselves on being the most ready when the nation is least ready; the country’s premier 911 force, ready to deploy anywhere, anytime, fight any foe and win.

The American people always have seen their Marines as something special — young and energetic, characterized by selfless service, raw courage and dependability.

A refrain often heard on graduation day at the recruit depots is, “I sent you a boy (or girl), you sent me back a man (or woman).”

The national security establishment has seen the nation’s Corps of Marines as ready and eager to fight; just over the horizon but always close enough to show American resolve or respond quickly to any situation, anywhere before it gets out of hand.

During a developing crisis or contingency, the question frequently asked by decision-makers is, “Where are the aircraft carriers and where are the Marines?” They know Marines can be depended upon to fight and win if called upon.

This trilogy of converging perspectives and expectations has shaped the ethos of America’s Marines, from Tripoli to Afghanistan and on every battlefield, in every skirmish, and during every humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response in between. Generation after generation of Americans have grown accustomed to the familiar headline, “The Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand.”

But ethos is fragile. Unlike force structure and equipment, which can be rebuilt if lost, ethos, once extinguished, is gone forever. Ethos is a state of mind that allows Marines to boast with pride, “The difficult we do right away, the impossible takes a little longer.”

President Ronald Reagan honored all Marines and the special place they hold in America’s conscience when he said: “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. Marines don’t have that problem.”

Unfortunately, future Marines will have that problem unless the course presently charted is reversed.

The Marine Corps is being significantly weakened by unwise cuts in its force structure and equipment and reductions in Navy amphibious and maritime pre-positioning ships; divestments that undermine its congressionally mandated responsibilities as a combined arms force-in-readiness. And, by personnel management approaches that erode esprit de corps, teamwork and identity.

Consider the following:

• The elimination of all armor, scout sniper platoons in infantry battalions, and bridging coupled with drastic cuts in infantry, cannon artillery, assault amphibious vehicles, aviation, military police, assault beaching and combat service support have crippled Marine Corps capabilities to respond to global crises and contingencies across the spectrum of conflict. These capabilities were sacrificed on the “divest to invest” altar for future, experimental weapons that will only duplicate what other services already have in sufficient numbers.

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force, historically the first to arrive on scene with the combat power and sustainment to persist and win “in every clime and place,” is being emasculated to self-fund an essentially one-dimensional coastal defense force.

• The gutting of the Maritime Prepositioning Force and the dramatic reductions in amphibious ships and their readiness to deploy have significantly and adversely impacted the Marine Corps’ forward presence and crisis response.

• The focus away from infantry, youth and shared experiences is destroying the values that make Marines different. “Every Marine a rifleman” is at best an empty slogan, as infantry skills are devalued to make way for computer and other technical skills. An older force is seen as preferable to a younger, more adventurous force.

To be blunt, United States Marines increasingly are irrelevant to the National Command Authority and to the combatant commanders. It seems the Army’s 18th Airborne Corps has replaced Marines as the nation’s premier 911 force.

The American people fail to understand why Marines train, look and talk more like the other services. Some Marines may no longer see themselves as a breed apart.

The damage is not irreversible, providing future commandants begin the process to build back essential warfighting capabilities and restore an ethos that values the infantry, an offensive spirit, and combined arms.

Written by: James Livingston is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major general. A career infantry officer, he was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving as the commanding officer, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines during the Battle of Dai Do in Vietnam. Jay Vargas is a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel. Also a career infantry officer, he was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving as the commanding officer, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines during the Battle of Dai Do.
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Personal note: Marines are tougher than most realize.
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Much is made of issues revolving around our military. There is little said such as this
article regarding our US Marines. They are the best of the best and they know this
after boot camp. It isn't easy being a Marine. When they graduate they are Marines
from top to bottom.
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Don't sell our Marines short! They are case hardened and well trained to due their
duty. They are the front line in most cases and get the job done! Sacrifice is
unimportant to them rather they have a job to - do and they get it done!
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They are the frontline in most cases. Marines don't need a bad rap and more so
with the posting. They are the best of the best and they will prove it!
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But in reality we need all forces from all branches to make this possible.
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They know as we do they are trained to due their job. All military knows that
the job can't be done by one without the other.
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All forces work as a team. Whatever it takes - will be done - one way or
the other. Of course there will be wounded and some killed at times.
We work as a team - without support - all is lost.
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The branches of the service know this. Some are trained to do what
other's can't do and the issues require all service's to make it possible.
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Don't be-little one or the other. They are structured to do what is
necessary to knock out the aggressors when needed.
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We are Team - we all specialize in one thing or another. Sacrifices are
made at times so that the job can be completed. We honor those who
have fallen in the line of duty! Regretfully we remember the reason's
for their loss. It's not easy to be a soldier but training prevents more
losses than the untrained.
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Protecting one's Nation come's at a cost! We've seen that since our
conception. Many a man or woman has fallen since our conception.
Let's at least honor our fallen when it occurs - and lay him or her to
rest with honor's - and not pity! He or she as they are now in God's
hands - now and forever in our hearts & memories!
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__________________
Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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