Consider the following...
1. The EFV highspeed requirement has been shelved. At the time of the cancellation, General Dynamics offered the same vehicle without the "transforming" hydraulics. The Marine Corps said no.
2. The USS America was built without a well deck. Soon after construction started the "ground side" of the Marine Corps all said at the same time WTF! and now we have the next vessel in cue being designed with a well deck.
3. The MLP was petitioned for by the USMC to the Navy and once it was built, we have two of these ships immediately going to SOCOM to become AFSBs. A Navy Admiral is quoted as saying that we'll have sailors figure out how we're going to use these ships.
The list goes on.
The problem?
The hoped for advances that Marine Corps theorist thought possible have not panned out. Amphibious Assault from over the horizon (about 25 miles) is now just as risky as setting up within view of the beach. As a matter of fact 200 nm offshore will still put you in range of some land based anti-ship missiles.
Buying gear without a plan is foolish.
A short procurement timeout is necessary. Maybe 6 months to review plans, and policies regarding how we approach amphibious warfare. Additionally we can determine what the "real" numbers are when it comes to gear we end up buying. Fewer squadrons? Fewer F-35s. Fewer Battalions? Fewer MPCs and ACVs...etc.
Thats how the Marine Corps regains the trust of the nation. By demonstrating that we are once again good stewards of the taxpayers dollar....as well as a kick ass military force.
