During the run up to the Marine Corps participation in the Vietnam war a subtle but considered necessary name change was applied to Marine Units.
Instead of being called Expeditionary Units they were renamed Marine Amphibious Units, Marine Amphibious Brigades, and Marine Amphibious Forces.
We should make the name change again.
The reason today isn't to ensure that we don't insult the sensibilities of the local population as was done in Vietnam, no we should do it today to distinguish ourselves from the other services.
The Marine Corps is truly Expeditionary. There is no doubt about that. When the Marine Corps does Expeditionary, it does Expeditionary. Sleeping on the ground, washing your clothes in a stream and eating MRE's for months on end is just a small part of the ethos behind being a Marine.
The problem is....everyone else is calling themselves Expeditionary too. Whether they are or not is really up to the definition of each service (I would contend that they aren't but that's another discussion)...the point is...the Marine Corps must stand out.
Renaming our forces Amphibious Units, Amphibious Brigades and Amphibious Forces would keep the hallmark of the Marine Corps front and center everytime a unit is being discussed.
Its a simple name change but it would mean alot!
Would that mean you'd have to change the name of the EFV as well?
ReplyDeleteprobably wouldn't be a bad idea. but i get your point. how about we keep tradition going instead and call it AAV-8 (the current model is AAV-7)
ReplyDeleteDoes the USMC give its vehicles names like the army? If not, they could start. They could call it the "Puller" or maybe the "Daley."
ReplyDeletethe only vehicles with names are aircraft. ground vehicles have nicknames especially when they are shared with the Army but I can think of only one Marine vehicle with a name assigned and I'm not even sure it was official. the Ontos from Vietnam war fame.
ReplyDeletebut I think it would be a bad idea to start doing so. its about the Marine, not his ride.