| I think the Marines are great, but they are supposed to be an elite force. While it is apparent to me that the US needs more infantry, I do not advocate increasing the size of the Marines.
Back in WWII, when the modern version of the "Special Forces" idea was being advocated, some argued against it. The core of their argument was this: Wars are primarily won by the main battle force of the country, which is to say, the Regular Army. If you look at the battles of history, small groups of courageous men have often played a crucial role. Since battles tend to be obscure, some may argue that this probably happens much more than we realize it ("unsung heroes".)
The creation of Special Forces tries to identify who these special men might be and then separate them from the Regular Army for special tasks. In doing so, it removes them from their most vital task (as this argument goes) swaying the main battle at the critical time and place (so often unforseen by the officers directing the battle).
(I understand that the Marines were created way before WWII and this argument was not applied to them. I am merely using it because it was a time fo debate over the Special Forces concept, because it was considered a new idea (and in fact, was applied in "new" ways or ways that seemed new to the Allies.)
I'm not buying into this argument 100 percent, but I am buying into it partially and would apply it to the growth of the Marines. At a certain point, promotion of the Marines becomes counterproductive to US national interest. At a certain point, it becomes a downgrade for the Army. I believe this point has been, or soon will be, reached.
The Marines are great. Leave them alone as they are, definately. But let us now perhaps refocus a little onto the Regular Army. Possible slogan: Join the Main Battle Force. In addition, I think the Army brass needs to be "upended" via the leapfrogging of some relatively junior officers who understand the "manouver warfare" concept which has now (correctly) become the Marine doctrine. In addition, it is possible some of the understanding of manouver warfare could be transferred from the Marines to the Army, though the mechanism of that is beyond me (not having served personally, just an armchair strategist.) |
