Devildoc
Verified Military
Knock me over with a feather...
Marines to Shut Down All Tank Units, Cut Infantry Battalions in Major Overhaul
Marines to Shut Down All Tank Units, Cut Infantry Battalions in Major Overhaul
I’ll see if I can find it and convert to PDF.I saw an article yesterday in WSJ. It was behind a pay wall sadly. They are reducing rotary wing squadrons too.
It be getting crazy.
Dumb move. For combined arms you need a happy marriage of tanks and grunts.
I highly recommend reading Gen Berger's CPG for all the context on what he's doing.
This reshaping is not for Gulf War III with USMC as a supplemental US Army. His vision is somewhat radical, and taking the Marine Corps back to "soldiers of the sea"-style supporting force for the USN.
I highly recommend reading Gen Berger's CPG for all the context on what he's doing.
This reshaping is not for Gulf War III with USMC as a supplemental US Army. His vision is somewhat radical, and taking the Marine Corps back to "soldiers of the sea"-style supporting force for the USN.
I read the article that they're really only getting rid of the regimental CP and 3/8. Sounds like the other two battalions are going to plus up 2nd & 6th Marines.But what really stymies me is axing 8th Marines.
Thank you for writing that.To say I am personally devastated is saying the least. Everyone’s specific situation is going to be different so I won’t comment on it but almost all of us are going to be forced out or early separated. My career as a Marine is over.
The loss of the combined arms breach ability will cost Marines lives. The loss of armor protected shock firepower will cost Marines lives. The loss of the best anti tank ground weapons system the Marine Corps has will cost Marines lives.
I have read the plan, the guidance and understand what the commandant wants. The Marine Corps is fighting for relevance and is willing to sacrifice generations worth of specific combat and tactical knowledge to get it. So be it, I won’t be there to see it, wasn’t even asked to.
All I know is I am heart broken, not only because I am getting told to go away by the organization that I served tirelessly, but because in my heart I know in our next conflict that an 18yr old manning a TOW will cut in half believing in that same organization and that he is the best weapon they have to fight a tank...
I cannot even believe I am one of the last Tank Commanders the Marine Corps will ever have. I have to fight the thought of wondering was this even all worth it? My body has been forever battered by my job, herniated disks, multiple contusions, nerve damage and TBIs. All for this to be the end state...
I don’t work in shape at DC and quite frankly I am too emotionally involved to speak any more on it without extreme personal bias so I’m not going to comment any further.
To all who have ridden the steal chariots of war, it was an honor to serve along side you and carry your legacy to its end.
Semper Fidelis.
Are they getting rid of the reserve tank battalions too?
All of them. Everyone will be gone by FY22.