This cross my mind a few weeks ago and I just thought I would ask this after reading an article about how MARSOC should be inline with a MAGTF way of things. Does MARSOC have or plan to create some sort of SOAR or SWCC type unit within MARSOC?
I would ask why the current entry units can't support MARSOC just as they support other SOCOM elements...
I would ask why the current entry units can't support MARSOC just as they support other SOCOM elements...
"Sir we really need to screen our support personel to make sure they know their job and they want to be here to do that job the best it can be done"
They do support us and do a amazing job I might add. However they are HIGH demand and there are a lot more operational teams then they can effectively support all the time. We got to train with SOAR twice before I got over here. I haven't seen them once since I have been here because they only get tasked out to the high conflict areas. Rightly so, but if I had the capability were I'm at now I could accomplish twice as much. Based on this senerio if MarSoc had it's own wing of SOF flyers and Boat drivers we could not only train more with them but get them for direct support more often as we have contributed more needed accets to the fight. Not saying I want to keep all my toys to myself and not let my big brothers Seals and ODAs play with my werly birds. But if they are Marine Piloted they will have buy in to support us as much as possible.
This is a prime example what most of us on our team call the 20 year plan. A lot of figure it will take 20 years (some of us, me included, are hopeing for 10 years) for MarSoc to get straighted out. By that time line all the now pipe swing Sergeants in teams will be in command billets some of the Capt will be there as well. They will have a better understanding of what being on a team and all the frustrations are like and hope, hope, hopefully make good command desictions. My fingers are crossed. We have great dudes at the team level but our command above Company right now is FUBAR.
On the boat and aviation piece, I think it's a great idea. Unfortunatley like Solo said I don't see it happening any time soon. The Marine Corps is stubborn as hell. Even if they know your right they won't say so and they won't act. With Marine air you run into the same problem as you do with the support personel. You can end up with a boot pilot fresh out of flight school who you expect to take you into a hot LZ at night and put you right were you need to be when you need to be there. The higher ups don't seem to understand why its important that you have a pilot and a bird that can hit your TOT everytime and put you right were you need to be under almost any condition, same with the boats. We need guys who have been properly screened, trained, and given the tools to complete the job. Just because you send regular personel on a spec ops mission dosen't make them spec ops.
What would you think of the Marine Corps instituting Warrant Officers for Helo pilots so you can have an experienced pilot stay with MARSOC? They won't have to move up and out due to career progression.