Unemployed? Don't count on the military
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/07/08/unemployment.military/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/07/08/unemployment.military/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Unemployed? Don't count on the military
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/07/08/unemployment.military/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
The Marine cut seems HUGE if you take the size of the Army compared to the size of the Marines. I could see the Army being able to cut 22K troops by attrition and reducing recruitment, but for the Marines that has got to be hard to obtain.
I read an article a while back, A Marine commander talking about getting back to their real mission, that the Marines had effectively become a de facto second Army (out of necessity in the current wars) and needed to get back to core mission of being Marines, 'forward force projection'. Also mentioned increasing the size of their special ops unit now called MARSOC, from current strength of 1,000 to 5,000 by some unspecified future date.
Army (AD+AR+NG) is about 1,000,000
Marines (AD+R) is about 250,000
Good. Too many people have been stop lossed already. It's more than a little refreshing to see a change in the opposite direction.
What is 'forward force projection'? I respect the Marines, but my simple mind tells me not beign stationed overseas or not having special organic strategic mobility (i.e C-17s), the Marines are a defacto second army.
I do see a Naval task force with a Marine Task Force a forward force projection. But, sea traveling takes time and some countries are surrounded by land.
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A MEU is probably America's most influential foreign policy tool. Its capability to conduct a broad range of operations from humanitarian aid to more traditional combat operations is unmatched by any standing unit in the US military.
Forward force projection is the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) typically embarked aboard naval amphibious shipping. We currently man (7) MEUs with any where from 3-4 always being deployed. Each MEU has (2) Battalion sized elements: a ground force and a logistical element. As well as a ad hoc squadron of various air assault/transport and attack helicopters, as well as a section of Harriers (if their lucky).
Sea traveling does take time. But Marines can be there within 24 hours typically. Theres always at least (1) MEU in the Pacific, the Mediterranean, and the Persian Gulf at all times. As for the surrounded by land thing... the first major combat troops on the ground in the war on terror in Afghanistan were Marines. The came from ARG shipping in the Persian Gulf.
A MEU is probably America's most influential foreign policy tool. Its capability to conduct a broad range of operations from humanitarian aid to more traditional combat operations is unmatched by any standing unit in the US military.
Thanks for the education.
An argument I would make (for dicussion purposes) is that an Army Task Force can easily replace MAGTF/MEU, especially if they operate near or with conjunctions with a carrier battle group.
I remember discussing competitive advantage in one my business classes. The ultimate competitive advantage is something that cannot be copied and most cases, it is not constant.
I don't necessarily disagree with you about the uniquness of a MEU, but it comes down to can we afford it. I see like buying a car, do I just a buy regular model or buy a model with all the options.
Scout-
As someone who has sat in on more than my fair share of JCS meetings and State Department meetings I can tell you with certainty that rarely during meetings when projection of power comes up is the US Army mentioned. Simply put, the US Army is not in a position to appear off of a Nations coast one night and sit there for 30 days whereas the Navy/Marine Corps team is. Now that is not to take anything away from the US Army. They are great at their mission and I have a lot of respect for a good number of the Soldiers serving within her.
Now, you are a smart fellow. But sometimes you take your pride in the Army just a bit too far. Learn to temper that. It will come in handy as you progress further through the ranks.
Against nation-states, yes.
Against non-state actors, I think the ability to deliver several hundred pounds of high explosives within a few hours is one of the more useful tools (and is shared by several services).