San Francisco — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is ordering a review of the future role of the Marine Corps amid " anxiety" that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had turned the service into a "second land army."
The review would seek to define a 21st century combat mission for the Marines that is distinct from the Army's, because the Marines "do not want to be, nor does America need" another ground combat force . . .
The mission of the Marines has always been amphibious assault from a US Navy Task force which is usually a Carrier Task Force (CTF). Once the beach head is taken, the US Army takes over.
'Once a Marine, always a Marine. This is real motto of the Marine Corps because new marines are heavily indoctrinated with militaristic values.
One of the major's friends has a child in the Marine corps and he has told his mother he would like nothing better than to die for is county with the American flag draped over his coffin.
This is not the objective of any the Armed Services for soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines to die for their country. As General George S. Patton, Jr stated:
No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.
BushidÅ means "Way of the Warrior", is a name in common usage since the late 19th century which is used to describe a uniquely Japanese code of conduct adhered to by samurai since time immemorial, and loosely analogous to Western concepts of chivalry.
This code is said to have emphasized virtues such as loyalty, honor, obedience, duty, filial piety, and self-sacrifice.
During World War 2, the Japanese considered the surrender of US forces in the Philippines disgraceful. Under Bushido the US soldiers would have fought to their death or committed suicide.
This is why the Marines and Army had to exterminate the Japanese in the Pacific: they would not surrender, but would mount foolish Banzai charges into machine guns. The Banzai charge was part of the Bushido culture.
The problem with the Japanese military was it was very predictable. It used the same tactics over and rover again. If a wingman was shot down in a flying formation, another Japanese aircraft would dutifully move into to take its place.
USAAF pilots would promptly shoot the replacement plane down. The point is that you need flexibility in war. it is not like football game in which you execute a series of pre-planned plays like the Japanese did.
Tactics must constantly evolve and change. Improvisation often wins battles.
When you heavily indoctrinate people, they don't think, they react which may be an advantage in the early stages of a war. However, the Marine corps should realize that the Bushido mentality is limiting.
Marines only have to look back at their experiences with the Japanese in WW2 to realize that an over indoctrinated soldier is a limitation.
The Japanese believed the fighting spirit of their soldier would overcome equipment limitations. The Marine Corp has had a similar problem often received hand me down equipment form the Army. This problem relates to the limited staff skills of many Marline officers.
The Japanese went into battle with inferior rifles, pistols, mortars and machine guns. Their troops paid a heavy price for their Bushido mentality.
Rightardia hope the US Marine corps is smarter than the Japanese were.
source: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/12/world/la-fg-gates-speech-20100813
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4 comments:
My initial reaction to this post was suspicion. As an ex Marine corporal it's hard not to view criticism of the Corps as criticism of myself. I realize this fact lends credit to your post. If the Corps is a cult, its a cult that America needs. Marine's have and continue to distinguish themselves in combat. This is due to their technical and tactical proficiency and the traditions and values they instill in their members. To a lesser extent, the fear enemy forces tend to associate with members of the Corps is an effective psychological weapon.
You have some points. My big concern as a former military officer is that the Marine Corps installs values in Marines that are anti-democratic.
The Marine Corps is not well respected by the parent service, the Navy, as you might assume.
All the good navy food came after the "Marines Afloat" departed.
Elites forces have existed in other armed forces such as the German SS. The SS was eventually defeated.
I ran into a Navy man who recently refereed to the Air Force and the navy as the educated services. I look at Marines as dogmatic zealots.
Well i have to agree yes there is a form of Bushido installed in the US Marines. loyalty, honor, obedience, duty, filial piety, and self-sacrifice, these are all things i was taught in the Boot Camp we i was taught respect for those who were on equal terms or better. When you stop and look at our history we remain Undefeated on the battlefield not one enemy our country has pointed out stood toe to toe with a US Marine and can say they beat us in battle. So yes we are very Filial piety because each generation of Marine that follows the last is gonna try to do even better. No we are not like the Japanese in the post you stat a few times about banzai charge and suicide, we don't foolishly charge into battle getting ourselves killed nor do we commit suicide when defeated because we aren't trained that way nor have we ever been defeated. Like the Corporal said which before i get into it your not an Ex Marine your a US Marine at all times active or not active you earned your right to call yourself a US Marinen and an NCO of Marines, we are technically and tactically proficient and our brothers will continue to distinguish themselves on the field of battle. US Marines are feared because of what we are capable of and to the Sailor no the US Marines does not install anti democratic values we install pro-republic values conservatism we are not a democracy we are a republic and there is a difference between the 2. I believe in Bushido because its what i was taught i will never dishonor my corp country or my family nor will i ever leave a brother behind and if it meant that a few of my friends could've made it home to see there families i would gladly have given my life for theirs just so they could see there children grow up
Matthew B, Not defeated on the battlefield? The US has not prevailed in a war since WW2.
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