Marine aviator in line to become next Corps commandant

bruno

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/14/AR2010061405172.html?wpisrc=nl_fed

"
In a major break with tradition, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is planning to recommend that the president select a career aviator as the next commandant of the Marine Corps, a military official said Monday night.

If nominated and confirmed, Gen. James F. Amos would be the first Marine commandant with a background as a jet pilot -- at a time when the Corps is fighting a ground-dominated war in Afghanistan ....

That's pretty interesting. I don't know what this means. I find it really strange that Gen Mattis didn't get the job- in the middle of a ground war they picked an aviator to run the Corps. The Post talks about the Commandant's role in plotting the future course of the USMC - which is undoubtedly true, but that doesn't explain this choice. Gen Amos is supposed to be something of an intellectual, but Mattis is no slouch himself as a thinker and student of warfare as well as a warrior leader. I don't understand this choice. TPG: what's your take?
 
I was surprised, both by the selection of Gen Amos for CMC and Lt. Gen. Dunford as ACMC. First, I think this is Sec Gates way of putting his hand prints over the entire Marine Corps. Sec. Gates makes it well known down here that he is not happy with the Marine Corps plan to go back to Amphibious landing mode. He feels that the concept is outdated and needs to be replaced. I of course disagree. I believe that an amphibious operation on the BLT scale is still a measured option.

As for his pick for Commandant, well the easy choice was Gen. Mattis. He is the most proven combat Commander in the Marine Corps today and he is probably the most intellectual Commander as well. But his downfall is the fact that he is very outspoken. Certain Marine Corps Generals have drawn his rath for being rather political, including one of the two above. He has made his feelings on Both Active and Retired General officers speaking loudly about their opinions and he does not like it. He thinks they should sit on the sidelines and keep the opinions to themselves. No matter if it goes against his/her values. As a result, he has upset a good many who have lobbied against him getting selected. I myself have a great deal of Respect for Gen. Mattis. Of course I can vividly recall him as commander of 1/7 in the First Gulf War with Task Force Ripper. He was probably the most aggressive commander of the day. I also served under him in Somalia when he commanded the 7th and again when he commanded TF-58 as the Chief Gunner. Of course he had won my enduring respect when he allowed me to revert back to the Regimental level as a Gunner, something almost un-heard of to this day.

No my Dark Horse choice would have been Lt. Gen. Zilmer. He is another proven Combat commander who actually started the first Female Engagement Teams in Iraq. He Served in Beirut Lebanon, As XO of 1/7 during Desert Shield and as Operations Officer for the 7th Marines and Task Force Ripper in the First Gulf War. He was also the CG of 1st MEB in Al Anbar in 05’.

Ther are others, but he would have been my top pick outside of Gen. Mattis.

One other Point of contention with me with Lt. Gen Dunford, who was nominated as Assistant CMC, he got recycled as a Company Commander. Not once but twice.

Why was Lt. Gen. Dunford recycled twice?
 
Staff Officer? Line Officer?

tpg, what would you say are some of the skills/attributes necessary for one to be an outstanding staff officer or line officer? What are some key differences between the two, and what types of people usually excel at one of them or both of them?

Why does Sec. Gates dislike Amphibious landings? It's what the Corps famous for, after all (besides being BA's ). Unless he thinks that tactical insertions by helicopter have replaced it?
 
tpg, what would you say are some of the skills/attributes necessary for one to be an outstanding staff officer or line officer? What are some key differences between the two, and what types of people usually excel at one of them or both of them?

Why does Sec. Gates dislike Amphibious landings? It's what the Corps famous for, after all (besides being BA's ). Unless he thinks that tactical insertions by helicopter have replaced it?

Sec. Gates basically thinks that Amphibious Landings are a thing of the past.
 
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