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View Full Version : Being a Marine

herakles
13-01-2008, 21:27
The following link takes you to the Wall Street Journal and an article there by a prominent US General.

Amongst other things, he argues that the traditional role of the Marines - being basically a ship to shore fighting force and needing to keep close contact with the sea - has been eroded, at least as concerns the US Marines.

It makes thoughtful reading.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120010425941885571.html
herakles
15-01-2008, 02:04
What? Not a single response to this?

Did anyone read the thread?
The Sailor
15-01-2008, 04:18
Well Herk, when I saw the words Wall Street it turned me off at first. The way the world stock markets are going I'll be looking for a soup kitchen to queue at soon.
But to reply to your post.
Iraq is the only type war to go to at the moment. We are a bit short of Iwo Jimas and such these days. What does the general want? More beach attacks? The marines I guess had to adapt to a ground war in an infantry mode or become increasingly side lined in these modern times.
herakles
15-01-2008, 04:39
There's no war in Afghanistan Sailor?

I found the article interesting as it showed that the traditional role of the Marines is being altered. They are being required to do things they weren't trained for.
The Sailor
15-01-2008, 05:47
Afghanistan is an Iraq type war Herk and there are no beaches there either.
What is the answer short of attacking someone with a beach?
They have to virtually become infantry until another suitable shooting war comes along.
BB60
16-01-2008, 01:51
Not arguing pro or con as far as the current role of the Marines, but they did participate in a static ground war in Vietnam as being the main force in the III Corps area. They were under seige in Khe Sahn, remember? Also several regiments fought as part of Army divisions in the Great War in France. They fought in Belleau Wood.