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Jerry McAbee's avatar

You can’t solve a problem until you recognize you have a problem. I applaud the Commandant for seeking new ideas for rapid response and hopefully sustainment. The Marine Corps is at risk of losing its 911 mantle without more operationally ready amphibious ships, a more robust fleet of maritime prepositioning ships, and the combined arms capability to fight and win across the range of military operations.

The President was at Fort Bragg yesterday. In front of the XVIII Airborne Corps headquarters was a large banner that read, “America’s Contingency Corps.” But is it? Marines know that rapid response without sustainment is a hollow promise. It does not replace the rapidity of combat power that comes from the sea and sustained by sealift. This should be a Marine Corps core competency.

Bravo Zulu to the 39th Commandant for wanting his Marines to regain their unique role in the national defense.

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Steve B's avatar

Just like the Airborne Forces in Desert Shield. They landed looking for lunch (sustainment). Airlift is critically limited especially in the early in the deployment.

Marines must land with embarked sustainment on amphibious and/or MPS Shipping.

Earily deployed Army Airborne Forces to Desert Shield ate MPS delivered MRE’s while the Army’s sustainment steamed from CONUS & Europe.

Don't misread me. Airborne forces are very important to the Joint Force.

We need more Sealift and Airlift capability that is US Flagged.

It is imperative that we grow the number of Navy ships especially amphibious shipping.

Prepositioning Supllies and unit sets at sea and/or on land is critical to the calculus of an early victory.

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Corporal Grable's avatar

Good comments.

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Samuel Whittemore's avatar

Sometimes the simplest things are the most difficult things to do!

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Bud Meador's avatar

Amen to that! Common sense is not so common.

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