That you for this. I have been to Notre Dame many times since my first visit in 1966. I had tears of anger and rage in my eyes watching it burn. The true reason it caught on fire has never been sufficiently explained to my satisfaction. I still believe it was arson. Its restoration lifted my soul as I poured over every video and photo.
The difference is that neither Priests, Monks, Nuns, Bishops, Cardinals or the Pope set Notre Dame on fire.
The Marine Corps was set ablaze in a secretive case of arson and sabotage by a Commandant and senior officers. They destroyed the structure to rebuild a new one. If they genuinely believe the new construct is viable they could not possibly have done an accurate assessment of enemy capabilities, the missions of the Navy, Army and Air Force. Nor would they have acted in secrecy and eliminated those with questions in the career and character assassinations in the shadows of the of the dark corridors of the Cathedral. This was more akin to the extermination of the Templars or the execution of 83 Generals and Admirals in the Wehrmacht 1939-45. This unfolded right under the nose of a SecNav and SecDef. The French often say: “ It was worse than a crime. It was folly.”
It will take much more money to rebuild the Corps and the old blue print will need modifications to modernize parts of the rebuilt MEFs and the right sizing of a bloated, micro managing support establishment.
During the recent address by the POTUS I watched the current CMC very closely. This officer has not recovered from his massive heart attack. As the POTUS spoke to him twice he did not seem to even grasp who he was talking to. The Corps of Marines is far too important to have any question about its leader. We have just emerged from a Presidency handicapped by a full understanding of the President’s health.
My observations are my own. I will readily admit that I might very well be dead wrong. In the meantime the Corps continues its march into oblivion of which I am certain.
No…. Not wrong. I would offer, however, the resurrection of Notre Dame was done as an act of love & in full appreciation of its role & influence on Western Civilization. Conversely, I am beginning - repeat beginning - to fear the resurrection of the Corps will be done only under conditions of threatened General War. For those of us who have served & studied (for decades) the role in world events of a robust Corps, the need is abundantly clear. I am not convinced we currently have understanding or support coming from entities in Washington that can decisively make a difference. I pray history will prove me wrong. My hat is off to all who have faithfully commented here in CP, and those Marines of senior rank who are leading the come back effort. Continue the fight … a lot rides on our success.
If viable to rebuilding the MEF to its former capacity, it will take a monumental commitment and effort. The corrective action first step would be to establish a POA&M and get it approved. After this you need to get the funding requirements into the Five Year Defense Plan and hope Congress will provide the funding. The funding comes as Red money (Marine) and Blue money (Navy) for the aviation side. This is a long process after you add all the acquisition processes to oblige the funding.
Also will the Navy be able to get the amphibious ships needed.
The Marine Corps, our Marine Corps should not just be rebuilt, it must be rebuilt quickly, completely, and better than it ever was. Do we have the leadership to accomplish this task? Does the Commandant support a 911 force? Without that commitment, rebuilding will be most difficult.
We need a Commandant and senior officers who are Marines, and not politicians. It was a mistake to change our mission and capabilities, and it will be a worse mistake to not fix the mistake now.
Capabilities can be built back over time. Ethos and culture are more fragile. Once lost they are gone forever. We are dangerously close to losing our identity. The Marine Corps needs a course correction now. Later may be too late.
To rebuild, we need to prioritize what is most important to an expeditionary force. Is it more ships? Armor or artillery, or more aircraft? Or, do we prioritize by Division/Wing/MEF? This must be done by threat assessment, time, and money.
WE get it. Congress needs to “get it”. All our arty, armor etc costs an awful lot to replace. The nation has a frightful amount of funding necessary for a variety of issues.
Amen … can much of our lost equipment be pulled out of stocks & storage? Honest question … I just have no idea where the equipment went once taken out of active units.
That you for this. I have been to Notre Dame many times since my first visit in 1966. I had tears of anger and rage in my eyes watching it burn. The true reason it caught on fire has never been sufficiently explained to my satisfaction. I still believe it was arson. Its restoration lifted my soul as I poured over every video and photo.
The difference is that neither Priests, Monks, Nuns, Bishops, Cardinals or the Pope set Notre Dame on fire.
The Marine Corps was set ablaze in a secretive case of arson and sabotage by a Commandant and senior officers. They destroyed the structure to rebuild a new one. If they genuinely believe the new construct is viable they could not possibly have done an accurate assessment of enemy capabilities, the missions of the Navy, Army and Air Force. Nor would they have acted in secrecy and eliminated those with questions in the career and character assassinations in the shadows of the of the dark corridors of the Cathedral. This was more akin to the extermination of the Templars or the execution of 83 Generals and Admirals in the Wehrmacht 1939-45. This unfolded right under the nose of a SecNav and SecDef. The French often say: “ It was worse than a crime. It was folly.”
It will take much more money to rebuild the Corps and the old blue print will need modifications to modernize parts of the rebuilt MEFs and the right sizing of a bloated, micro managing support establishment.
During the recent address by the POTUS I watched the current CMC very closely. This officer has not recovered from his massive heart attack. As the POTUS spoke to him twice he did not seem to even grasp who he was talking to. The Corps of Marines is far too important to have any question about its leader. We have just emerged from a Presidency handicapped by a full understanding of the President’s health.
My observations are my own. I will readily admit that I might very well be dead wrong. In the meantime the Corps continues its march into oblivion of which I am certain.
Spot on!
No…. Not wrong. I would offer, however, the resurrection of Notre Dame was done as an act of love & in full appreciation of its role & influence on Western Civilization. Conversely, I am beginning - repeat beginning - to fear the resurrection of the Corps will be done only under conditions of threatened General War. For those of us who have served & studied (for decades) the role in world events of a robust Corps, the need is abundantly clear. I am not convinced we currently have understanding or support coming from entities in Washington that can decisively make a difference. I pray history will prove me wrong. My hat is off to all who have faithfully commented here in CP, and those Marines of senior rank who are leading the come back effort. Continue the fight … a lot rides on our success.
Doug:
You're not wrong in your observations!
Semper Fi
If viable to rebuilding the MEF to its former capacity, it will take a monumental commitment and effort. The corrective action first step would be to establish a POA&M and get it approved. After this you need to get the funding requirements into the Five Year Defense Plan and hope Congress will provide the funding. The funding comes as Red money (Marine) and Blue money (Navy) for the aviation side. This is a long process after you add all the acquisition processes to oblige the funding.
Also will the Navy be able to get the amphibious ships needed.
Good luck CMC.
I agree. It will take a damn miracle.
The Marine Corps, our Marine Corps should not just be rebuilt, it must be rebuilt quickly, completely, and better than it ever was. Do we have the leadership to accomplish this task? Does the Commandant support a 911 force? Without that commitment, rebuilding will be most difficult.
We need a Commandant and senior officers who are Marines, and not politicians. It was a mistake to change our mission and capabilities, and it will be a worse mistake to not fix the mistake now.
Capabilities can be built back over time. Ethos and culture are more fragile. Once lost they are gone forever. We are dangerously close to losing our identity. The Marine Corps needs a course correction now. Later may be too late.
Amen!
To Compass Points … This particular posting today touches the head, heart, & soul. Thank you. Semper Fidelis!
To rebuild, we need to prioritize what is most important to an expeditionary force. Is it more ships? Armor or artillery, or more aircraft? Or, do we prioritize by Division/Wing/MEF? This must be done by threat assessment, time, and money.
WE get it. Congress needs to “get it”. All our arty, armor etc costs an awful lot to replace. The nation has a frightful amount of funding necessary for a variety of issues.
Amen … can much of our lost equipment be pulled out of stocks & storage? Honest question … I just have no idea where the equipment went once taken out of active units.
Good Article. Hoping the USMC will, ( because we know it can) be revived into the Tradition of MEF. Godspeed!
Thank you for this.