via THF.org
Support NeededRead the whole thing here.
Moving forward, the Corps is reliant on the Navy and Congress to make this plan effective:
**The U.S. Navy should support with “connector” capabilities. The decision to go with a wheeled amphibious vehicle relies heavily on the development of a future ship-to-shore connector. Since the procurement and maintenance of these capabilities are all under the purview of the Navy, any change in requirement for the connector needs the Navy’s support.
**Congress should adequately fund defense. In making this decision, the Marine Corps was already cost conscious. However a return to sequestration levels would put the future of many investment programs in jeopardy. The initial phase of the Corps’s vehicle strategy has been crafted to fit within current budget request levels, but additional funding will be required for the new ship-to-shore connector(s).The Right Decision
**The proposed plan is the appropriate path forward for modernizing amphibious operations capabilities. By embracing a phased approach, the USMC can capitalize on current technology to quickly replace aging equipment while freeing funding to invest in a robust R&D effort, effectively creating a bridging strategy that maintains its current utility as a forward-deployed force while preparing it for the future.
Furthermore, the decision to purchase a MPC-type vehicle and leverage modern ship-to-shore connectors is an effective recognition of the evolving threat and operational environments.
My opinion? Heritage is as wrong as two left feet. If anything a wait and see position should be adopted.
The current Commandant fiddled, was indecisive, and generally absent on this issue and now with 6 months left on his tenure we're suppose to get excited and go forward at 900 miles per hour to implement his plan?
I don't fucking think so.
Additionally, I'm not forgetting about Dakota Woods. Personally I like the guy (met him once, but since I'm unremarkable I'm sure he doesn't know me from Adam) but I also know that his idea of a "Commando Corps" was the first building block of Expeditionary Force 21 that we're seeing pushed by the current cabal at HQMC.
We've waited more than 4 years for HQMC to move on the AAV replacement. Waiting 6 more months for a proper Commandant to make a decision on the matter won't hurt us.
