I am always amused by the juvenile insults directed at those who voice an opinion not perfectly aligned with EABO, FD and/or SIF. The slurs run the gamut and are routinely changed lest they grow stale. Such attacks, while unnecessary and distracting, serve no purpose other than drawing attention to the attacker. The offenders fail to address the message, focusing instead on the messenger. For context, consider the 1983 movie War Games.
Those who have seen it will almost certainly recall the scene where the computer has taken control of the U.S. nuclear launch procedures and is about to start a global nuclear war. All efforts to regain control of the computer have failed, prompting General Beringer (played by Barry Cobin) to smile sarcastically at Mr. McKittrick (played by Dabney Coleman) and remark, “Mr. McKittrick after very careful consideration, sir, I’ve come to the conclusion that your new defense system sucks,” which was obviously true.
McKittrick, not addressing the message (a computer run amuck) but instead attacking the messenger (Beringer), responds, “I don’t have to take that, you pig-eyed sack of s**t.” Beringer, considering the source, simply replies, “Oh, I was hoping for something a little better than that from you, sir. A man of your education.”
We all hope for more substance and fewer invectives from those defending FD. And we certainly want more proponents of FD weighing in on the issues. The topic is too important to the Marine Corps and to our national security for those favoring FD to remain silent.
Gen McAbee is right on target, as usual. The failed implementation of FD-2030 is undeniably obvious. It was not just incompetence and miscalculation.
What lurks beneath the surface is the way it was attempted. Deception, lack of integrity, lies by commission and omission which persist to this day. The damage to the Marine ethos and reputation of integrity without compromise will linger. It was widespread and deep which will be very hard to repair. It will be impossible without accountability.
For all the divestments, what have we gained?? We have not only lost equipment but the Marine Corps has lost the capability to be a combined-arms fighting force. Imagine taking command of a tank battalion and being told: Sir, we have no tanks, but we might get them in 4-5 years! Anyone who supports FD, must be questioning, where are the missiles? How can anyone be satisfied with a program, that after five years, still lacks it major combat system. Is there anyone in the active force questioning this? How can this be allowed to happen. This is FUBAR to the max!
It never ceases to amaze me how far disconnected from reality many of our best and brightest who have served or who currently serve are.
Force Design was never the product of the previous Commandant. Rather, it was the inevitable result of a clandestine, 40-year quest by progressive leftist democrat politicians, their proxies in the media, and their donors to emasculate and then eliminate the USMC. It took them awhile to fall upon the right strategy to achieve their goal and the plan, once formulated, hinged on the results of the 2008 presidential election.
Once The Child Emperor was installed, the plan unfolded in relatively short order. The scuttlebutt cascaded first through the service academies and then across both active and reserve components that they only way to get ahead was to kiss the ring that awarded the stars. That's how the Corps wound up with a Commandant who could champion a plan that even a 10th grader reading at the 3rd grade level could see was insane at best and downright treasonous at worst. And make no mistake, it was both of those things.
Rather than argue the case on its merits (or lack thereof), every patriotic American should be screaming from the rooftops, demanding that FD be repealed in its entirety and that the USMC ship be righted, fully funded, and set back on its original mission - to be America's 911.
Getting the Marines back on track requires that we accept the fact that democrat politicians, policy makers, media sycophants, and many of their donors hate the Corps and will do anything in their power to eliminate it.
Winning an argument requires debating with an opponent who is willing to listen to facts and to reason and then make sound decisions based upon that reasoning. Our opponent is a pathological and ideological liar who believes it his duty to do whatever it takes to win. I do not suggest that we sink to his level. Rather, I suggest that we call him out as the liar and traitor he is to his face and to the world and then beat him soundly at the ballot box from the local to the national level.
Look around, folks. That 10th grader reading at the 3rd grade level knew in 2020 that Biden was well past early-stage dementia and that by the time the June 2024 debate took place, he was ready for a transfer to Shady Acres and afternoons spent eating ice cream on the veranda. But the entire democrat party was happy as a clam in high water to have his hand on the nuclear football. And when Joe screwed them at the 59th minute of the 11th hour following the coup by throwing his support to the empty suit posing as his VP, it only took a heartbeat before the rank-and-file line up behind her proclaiming that she was the most qualified person in the country to run for president (while cursing under their breath that she couldn't win the election even if she had no opponent). Nope, our opposition is evil incarnate and it must be denied access to the levers of power at every level through the power of the ballot box. That is the only way to ensure that America never loses its ability to call on the USMC with confidence that the mission will be accomplished.
I’m old enough now to be sitting on the patio of my retirement home apartment, enjoying free ice cream while reflecting on the problems of the Marine Corps.
For years, I’ve listened to the well-reasoned arguments against Force Design, many presented eloquently by fellow retirees I deeply respect and admire. And yet, here we are, years later, with little meaningful change.
It seems the path forward taken largely by the active-duty Marine Corps, with strong support and funding from Congress, is winning. I find it difficult to believe that all senior Marine Corps and Congressional leaders are misinformed idiots, intentionally taking the Marine Corps down a losing path. Nor do I believe anyone in this group supports a major course change.
So, what to do? Perhaps the time has come to consider a compromise plan: one that preserves a capable and relevant Marine Corps while allowing for thoughtful adaptation, and preserving professional dignity on both sides. Any suggestions?
Don, Those of us who identify as members of Chowder Society II remain confident that our efforts will prevail in the long run. We continue to engage with members of Congress and have several strong supporters. We remain in a dialogue with key persons in the White House and in the Pentagon. Importantly, we are convinced if the Corps does not back away from Force Design 2030 as 7 of the 8 living former commandants have urged CMC the Corps will not survive in any meaningful way. I turned 87 on 5 July, so I'm up there with you but I plan to stay in the fight until it is won. There are hundreds of former and retired Marines with us. S/F Rip
General, you are one of the fellow retirees that I respect and admire and I’ll remain with you in the fight. But if the future direction doesn’t change, a contingency plan representing some combination of Force Design and Vision 2035 might be appropriate. Incidentally, I am 87 as of 7 April, so your senior by a few months. S/F, Don
General, what I find humorous is that the Commandant that started this entire fiasco, and the person who told the Navy there was no longer a 2.5 MEB afloat requirement.....has signed on to the fact that there are not enough Navy amphibious ships!
How long will it be before he signs on to replace some of that which he has so ruthlessly cut?
Seems the Army has forgotten already. Didn't they actually break out the "Small Wars Manual" in the last decade to relearn how to utilize pack mules and horses in the mountains of Afghanistan?
Looks like the Corps is not the only one divesting itself of capabilities.
I am always amused by the juvenile insults directed at those who voice an opinion not perfectly aligned with EABO, FD and/or SIF. The slurs run the gamut and are routinely changed lest they grow stale. Such attacks, while unnecessary and distracting, serve no purpose other than drawing attention to the attacker. The offenders fail to address the message, focusing instead on the messenger. For context, consider the 1983 movie War Games.
Those who have seen it will almost certainly recall the scene where the computer has taken control of the U.S. nuclear launch procedures and is about to start a global nuclear war. All efforts to regain control of the computer have failed, prompting General Beringer (played by Barry Cobin) to smile sarcastically at Mr. McKittrick (played by Dabney Coleman) and remark, “Mr. McKittrick after very careful consideration, sir, I’ve come to the conclusion that your new defense system sucks,” which was obviously true.
McKittrick, not addressing the message (a computer run amuck) but instead attacking the messenger (Beringer), responds, “I don’t have to take that, you pig-eyed sack of s**t.” Beringer, considering the source, simply replies, “Oh, I was hoping for something a little better than that from you, sir. A man of your education.”
We all hope for more substance and fewer invectives from those defending FD. And we certainly want more proponents of FD weighing in on the issues. The topic is too important to the Marine Corps and to our national security for those favoring FD to remain silent.
Gen McAbee is right on target, as usual. The failed implementation of FD-2030 is undeniably obvious. It was not just incompetence and miscalculation.
What lurks beneath the surface is the way it was attempted. Deception, lack of integrity, lies by commission and omission which persist to this day. The damage to the Marine ethos and reputation of integrity without compromise will linger. It was widespread and deep which will be very hard to repair. It will be impossible without accountability.
FD is indefensible.
For all the divestments, what have we gained?? We have not only lost equipment but the Marine Corps has lost the capability to be a combined-arms fighting force. Imagine taking command of a tank battalion and being told: Sir, we have no tanks, but we might get them in 4-5 years! Anyone who supports FD, must be questioning, where are the missiles? How can anyone be satisfied with a program, that after five years, still lacks it major combat system. Is there anyone in the active force questioning this? How can this be allowed to happen. This is FUBAR to the max!
It never ceases to amaze me how far disconnected from reality many of our best and brightest who have served or who currently serve are.
Force Design was never the product of the previous Commandant. Rather, it was the inevitable result of a clandestine, 40-year quest by progressive leftist democrat politicians, their proxies in the media, and their donors to emasculate and then eliminate the USMC. It took them awhile to fall upon the right strategy to achieve their goal and the plan, once formulated, hinged on the results of the 2008 presidential election.
Once The Child Emperor was installed, the plan unfolded in relatively short order. The scuttlebutt cascaded first through the service academies and then across both active and reserve components that they only way to get ahead was to kiss the ring that awarded the stars. That's how the Corps wound up with a Commandant who could champion a plan that even a 10th grader reading at the 3rd grade level could see was insane at best and downright treasonous at worst. And make no mistake, it was both of those things.
Rather than argue the case on its merits (or lack thereof), every patriotic American should be screaming from the rooftops, demanding that FD be repealed in its entirety and that the USMC ship be righted, fully funded, and set back on its original mission - to be America's 911.
Getting the Marines back on track requires that we accept the fact that democrat politicians, policy makers, media sycophants, and many of their donors hate the Corps and will do anything in their power to eliminate it.
Winning an argument requires debating with an opponent who is willing to listen to facts and to reason and then make sound decisions based upon that reasoning. Our opponent is a pathological and ideological liar who believes it his duty to do whatever it takes to win. I do not suggest that we sink to his level. Rather, I suggest that we call him out as the liar and traitor he is to his face and to the world and then beat him soundly at the ballot box from the local to the national level.
Look around, folks. That 10th grader reading at the 3rd grade level knew in 2020 that Biden was well past early-stage dementia and that by the time the June 2024 debate took place, he was ready for a transfer to Shady Acres and afternoons spent eating ice cream on the veranda. But the entire democrat party was happy as a clam in high water to have his hand on the nuclear football. And when Joe screwed them at the 59th minute of the 11th hour following the coup by throwing his support to the empty suit posing as his VP, it only took a heartbeat before the rank-and-file line up behind her proclaiming that she was the most qualified person in the country to run for president (while cursing under their breath that she couldn't win the election even if she had no opponent). Nope, our opposition is evil incarnate and it must be denied access to the levers of power at every level through the power of the ballot box. That is the only way to ensure that America never loses its ability to call on the USMC with confidence that the mission will be accomplished.
Spot on. Grok generated this list at my direction, Grok:”Here are some notable quotes about truth:
1. **Plato** - "We are twice armed if we fight with faith and truth."
2. **Oscar Wilde** - "The truth is rarely pure and never simple."
3. **Mahatma Gandhi** - "Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained."
4. **Mark Twain** - "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
5. **Socrates** - "To know the truth is to love it, and to love it is to live it."
“..
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6
I’m old enough now to be sitting on the patio of my retirement home apartment, enjoying free ice cream while reflecting on the problems of the Marine Corps.
For years, I’ve listened to the well-reasoned arguments against Force Design, many presented eloquently by fellow retirees I deeply respect and admire. And yet, here we are, years later, with little meaningful change.
It seems the path forward taken largely by the active-duty Marine Corps, with strong support and funding from Congress, is winning. I find it difficult to believe that all senior Marine Corps and Congressional leaders are misinformed idiots, intentionally taking the Marine Corps down a losing path. Nor do I believe anyone in this group supports a major course change.
So, what to do? Perhaps the time has come to consider a compromise plan: one that preserves a capable and relevant Marine Corps while allowing for thoughtful adaptation, and preserving professional dignity on both sides. Any suggestions?
Don, Those of us who identify as members of Chowder Society II remain confident that our efforts will prevail in the long run. We continue to engage with members of Congress and have several strong supporters. We remain in a dialogue with key persons in the White House and in the Pentagon. Importantly, we are convinced if the Corps does not back away from Force Design 2030 as 7 of the 8 living former commandants have urged CMC the Corps will not survive in any meaningful way. I turned 87 on 5 July, so I'm up there with you but I plan to stay in the fight until it is won. There are hundreds of former and retired Marines with us. S/F Rip
Infinite numbers are w you. We will prevail and we will not compromise.
General, you are one of the fellow retirees that I respect and admire and I’ll remain with you in the fight. But if the future direction doesn’t change, a contingency plan representing some combination of Force Design and Vision 2035 might be appropriate. Incidentally, I am 87 as of 7 April, so your senior by a few months. S/F, Don
General, what I find humorous is that the Commandant that started this entire fiasco, and the person who told the Navy there was no longer a 2.5 MEB afloat requirement.....has signed on to the fact that there are not enough Navy amphibious ships!
How long will it be before he signs on to replace some of that which he has so ruthlessly cut?
Belated Happy Birthday General! “Keep up the Fire!”….Semper Fidelis Hand Salute!
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/09/army-disbanding-most-ceremonial-horse-units.html?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru
Seems the Army has forgotten already. Didn't they actually break out the "Small Wars Manual" in the last decade to relearn how to utilize pack mules and horses in the mountains of Afghanistan?
Looks like the Corps is not the only one divesting itself of capabilities.