Quote of the week....
“Between 100 to 200 Marines will be the first wave in,” Cuomo said. “And that force is going to have to fight by itself for — in what Expeditionary Force 21 lays out — potentially three to seven days that force is on the ground.”
These initial Marines would potentially be responsible for — at times company by company — taking airstrips, naval bases, missile sites, and setting up small forward operating posts.The mission, along with the time spent without direct support, requires a more morally, mentally and physically capable Marine Corps....
Maj. Scott Cuomo, USMC, Director of Infantry Officers Course
I had to re-read that. I noticed it lacked a couple of zeros. My mind wanted to see 1000-2000. And is that not 100-200 an odd number? Are not USMC companies big at around 250 or something? Maybe you can help me figure that one out. Somewhere out there the battalion is involved. Somewhere out there the Regiment is involved. 100-200 wouldn't be enough to secure a college campus 24-7 after winning the championship game.
ReplyDeleteHow is 100 to 200 marines gonna be able to carry enough rations for 5 to 7 days AND be able to carry enough ammo to take airfields and naval bases? Has the Universal Soldier program finally been activated?
ReplyDelete@ Eric Palmer & Fake Volleyballer.
Deletethanks gents! you're cueing into what has me screaming at the top of my lungs that this Expeditionary Force 21 is PURE BULLSHIT! they're playing with concepts that are about to get people steamrolled and people know this but aren't saying anything.
THIS IS ENOUGH TO MAKE ME PUNCH WALLS!
Have we forgotten about the Ia Drang? Perhaps LtGen Moore should visit Maj Cuomo....
DeleteWhat are USMC company's today? 3 regular Platoons, 1 Weapons Platoon and a support/HQ platoon??
ReplyDeletespot on Eric. i'm gathering info because they're tweaking the T/O as we speak. more to come.
DeleteHmm...didn't a similiar number of Rangers try to do a comparatively minor op in Somalia 'bout 20 years ago? How'd that turn out?
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY! this is trouble in a handbag. i knew the love affair that Amos has with SOCOM would be trouble but this is more than i thought would ever come down the pike.
Deleteairfield seizure by a CLT? really? seriously? we once thought it "iffy" if a MEU performed that mission but now we're pushing it down. i don't get it.
Why do they want Marines do this kind of stuff anyway? The Marines already have a specialty that they're very good at. Why push this on them too? It's like the Commandant resents the fact they do beach assaults.
ReplyDeleteWe already have Army Rangers that more or less specialize in everything he listed in his quote. This scream pissing contest to me.
well not really. airfield seizure? Rangers claim it now but it was once a 82nd specialty until the Rangers took it from them. Marines have been training to do the mission for ages. Raids? same. everyone does that. seizing Naval bases? supposedly the hallmark of the Marine Corps but even the SEALs calim the ability to conduct small base seizures.
DeleteAF REDHORSE plays a big role in that too.
DeleteI wonder if they are trying to be a success in an Operation: EAGLE CLAW scenario as the goal? I have to think that they are looking for a use for the new $3B amphib without a well-deck? MV-22s and Harriers and away they go on a snatch-and-grab or a rescue?
ReplyDelete