The Failure of an Aviation Commandant exemplified by the ACV debacle

When Amos took over as Commandant, he had a few issues on his plate...

1.  See the F-35 to completion.
2.  Get the replacement for the ACV going and done.
3.  Ensuring the health of the Marine Corps.

He failed on two of the three and the first is of dubious quality considering the cost of the plane and the utility it brings to the Marine Corps.  As far as the second is concerned he has dithered and twisted and turned so much that its embarassing.

Quite honestly if I was industry (and if industry had anything motivating them besides greed) I would tell the Marine Corps to pound sand before they approached them with another ground vehicle program.

As far as the health of the Marine Corps is concerned?  Its a mess.  Marines are quiet.  Yeah, let that sink in.  United States Marines are quiet!  Let me spell it out for you if you don't get it.  The entire Marine Corps is pissed, Amos is hated and these reforms that he's put in are not sitting well with the rank and file.

But back to the ACV replacement.  via USNI News.

In what has been described as a “drastic shift,” the Marines have decided to “resurrect” the MPC and designate it as ACV Increment 1.1 and acquire about 200 vehicles. The Marines also plan to develop ACV Increment 1.2, a tracked version, and to acquire about 470 vehicles and fund an ongoing high water speed study. Although ACV Increment 1.1 will have a swim capability, a connector will be required to get the vehicles from ship to shore.
The FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113-66) recommended fully funding the Administration’s ACV budget request. The FY2014 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 113-76) recommended a $14 million cut to the Administration’s ACV request due to program delay. The Administration’s FY2015 budget request for the ACV is $105.7 million in Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding.

A name change to the Marine Personnel Carrier doesn't change the reality.

Amos constantly stated that we only have one chance to get this right....unfortunately he failed when it came time to make a decision.  Not because he made the wrong decision, but because he failed to make a decision at all.

Marines will get to shore in 50 year old vehicles, ride into combat in 7 ton trucks and get ripped apart by less advanced militaries driving modern combat vehicles.

The well fed, Marine Corps Aviation will enjoy the view as they won't be able to help while the ground element gets torn apart and SOCOM is too light to fight.

Maybe a US Army Heavy Brigade Combat Team will be able to pull an MEU out of the frying pan?  Doubtful but we can hope. Amos is the WORST Commandant in the modern era of the Marine Corps.