Is it time to get rid of the Marine Corp or combine them with other ground forces?

2018-03-31T11:35:56-04:00

Forward deployed. How long does it take to boat some Marines into an impermisive environment? How long does it take the 82nd?
Beach landing. Who has more beach landings? Army or Marines. Here’s a hint. Army.
Troops on boats guarding the Captain. Probably can be done with a platoon of cooks.
I’m not knocking on the Marines they provide a valuable service to the country. Toys for Tots.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2018 11:40 AM

2018-03-31T11:40:33-04:00

Heavy...

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 31 at 2018 11:53 AM

2018-03-31T11:53:09-04:00

Army only has more because in 1944, the Pentagon did not believe it was necessary to transfer 1/3 of the MC out of the pacific for Europe and Normandy. Furthermore, I'd put a squad of Marine infantrymen up against the Army version any day of the week with confidence. So to answer your question, no. No. No. No.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 31 at 2018 12:05 PM

2018-03-31T12:05:00-04:00

We've seen this type of question on RP several times. The other variants are to combine the Army and Air Force (back to the future) and to create a single military service. The answer to them all is about the same, COL Private RallyPoint Member, "won't happen." Each of the Departments and Services have strong advocates in the Congress and strong lobbies. You may be part of one of the Lobbies, the Association of the US Army (AUSA). It might make strategic and financial sense to combine the ground forces, especially when it comes to the "equip" Service function. It also might make equal sense to combine the aerospace forces (Army Aviation, Naval Aviation, and USAF). This functional organization is reflected in Joint Doctrine. Unified Commands may have a Ground Component Commander, Naval Component Commander, Air Component Commander, and SOF Component Commander. So far the only place I know where the money has been functionally allocated across service lines is US Special Operations Command. I just don't see the very powerful Departments giving up their grip on the rest of the money. Until somebody convinces the Congress and the Departments to make the change, it won't happen. Besides all that. The Marines have great Public Relations and a very favorable public image. Also, the best looking Service Dress Uniforms.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 31 at 2018 12:24 PM

2018-03-31T12:24:00-04:00

Sigh...................

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 31 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-03-31T12:41:03-04:00

Ouch - that one hurt my tail too.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2018 1:02 PM

2018-03-31T13:02:38-04:00

Yours is a fair question that is often asked and answered. I've provided a link to some dated dialogue on it. There's plenty more out there because there have been many efforts to disband the USMC. Send a proposal up the Chain of Command and maybe Sec. Mattis will give it due consideration. I think Toys for Tots has been a great program as well. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1992/MWJ.htm

The USMC Special Operations Capable (SOC) Concept: An Alternative Approach

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Mar 31 at 2018 1:23 PM

2018-03-31T13:23:19-04:00

Bollocks!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2018 2:35 PM

2018-03-31T14:35:51-04:00

Gonna respectfully disagree.