re: Marines to Shut Down All Tank Units, Cut Infantry Battalions in Major Overhaul

I think they’re looking at better defining the mission of the Marine Corps. Future Marine Corps missions may not require heavy armor and artillery. It has always been difficult for the 105’s to keep up with maneuvering infantry. Leave fire support to the 81’s and naval guns. Half the time, arty wasn’t available because they were relocating. You can’t just keep leap frogging a split battery either...they would get slaughtered due to lack of security. We’ll be fine with 81’s and close air support. CAS doesn’t have to be provided by Marines either and more often than not wasn’t.

Also, and I can’t believe you guys haven’t figured this out, it will ensure females (by and large) are not able to fill combat roles in the Corps...which is a damn good thing.

The current Commandant can shape a Corps if the future that will last for decades. Al Gray did it in the late 80s and a couple of other made some definite changes that had long lasting impact. But for the life of me, I do not understand the drastic manpower cut. A couple of 3 Infantry Battalions could mean a little longer between deployments. The reduction in Aviation, well, there has always been an underlying current of discontent there.

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the Marine Corps will no longer have law enforcement battalions

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Will shore patrol be their policing body?

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This is the Type 96 Main Battle Tank. It’s the backbone of the PLA

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Incorrect.



This is the backbone of the PLA.

Yes a walk down memory lane.

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here's something random: the marines had shermans that ran on diesel in the Pacific

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Diesel is less flammable and explosive than regular gas. That’s pretty important to the Navy, especially when they are being transported across the pacific.

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It will leave the Marines too light to support themselves in combat.

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I agree with those who would reply to you with the reminder that the Marines see themselves as light infantry. They consider themselves to be the finest light infantry in the world.

Light infantry may not have enough organic assets to sustain themselves in heavy combat, that's true. You're right about that. The intent is to not use the USMC in combat against enemy armor and mechanized forces.

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What is this? Straight up budget cuts or reallocation of resources?

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They don't have the funds they need for more F-35's. Robbing Peter to pay Paul

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8th Marines are being disbanded

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Wow. Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa and that's just the WWII history

Sad, truly sad. You can never have enough “Boots for the ground” to have “Boots on the ground”!