Happy 240th Birthday to the USMC

[Combanitorics]

Happy Birthday, USMC.  The student veterans group at my college had a nice get together for this, where I was in a great gun rights discussion.

And wishing all a good Veteran's Day tomorrow.

[The Valkyrie]

Wonder if there'll be any commemoration at the Marines Memorial here in Wellington?

[brewer]

Semper Fi and thanks for the service.

[Minimalist]

But how many more?

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2...Last-Fight

Why Afghanistan Might Be the Marines’ Last Fight

In this case, small size and budget are working to the Marines disadvantage. They’re not “too big to fail,” and their moribund mission is reflected in a force that hasn’t performed amphibious assaults for 73 years.

This problem became acute during the Afghan war. The Army was conducting the majority of the ground offensives, and Special Forces were performing many of the high-risk missions once performed by Marines. The other military branches were marginalizing them while illustrating just how outdated their core competency had become.

[Thumpalumpacus]

The Marines didn't have a primary mission of amphibious assaults until the late 1920s/early 1930s, when war in the Pacific seemed more likely.

I imagine that even in the face of reductions, they'll be retained for purposes of shipboard security, providing boarding or landing parties, securing naval bases, and yes, the occasional amphibious assault. If we come to blows with China over the islands in the South China Sea, the latter capability may prove useful once more under certain circumstances.

Hoo-rah, Jarheads.