How about developing effective counter measures to those weapons instead of surrendering the Seas to them?
Ever think of that???
Gates wants to get rid of the Marines, military retirement, and military health care.
In short, Gates wants to gut the military.
If it’s SecDef vs. Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children, my money’s on the USMC.
When Americans retake their government with efforts beginning this November, the goal must be that nothing of the Leftist Socialist past from say 1913 to date will remain standing. Anything resembling a government program must be privatized, and the Fed reduced to the simple tasks they were created by the States to manage.
The Fed is out of control thanks to the idiots of the Left that cannot cope with either themselves, the reality of the Constitution, and self government of, by, and for the people.
One thing I know about Marines who are “out” in a RIF like this, is that they almost universally want back “in”.
So it seems like an excellent alternative to create a “Marine auxiliary”, like a State militia unit, whose purpose is to keep them close to active duty standards, so that they could rapidly rejoin the Corps and move to active duty with minimal effort.
Say a State sets up a system like this. It would need minimal funding, because most of the expense would be born by the individual. But just by clearing legal hurdles and providing organizational structure, would go miles to keeping them fit.
They are not paid, and must keep their uniforms up to standards, but are allowed to purchase replacement uniform parts. They must also purchase their own specified semi-automatic only rifle and ammunition.
Once a month, they perform a stringent PT test, and take a written test of written training material they were provided the previous month. Height/weight standards are in force.
If there is a State emergency, they can be used, and paid, like National Guardsmen, as auxiliaries. But they cannot be federalized as a unit, only as individuals.
If a border State is willing to pay them some money, they can act as border guards, not under federal constraints, and as a militia they are not subject to Posse Comitatus rules.
I think this gives a good outcome for all.
These would be under the auspices of the State they were living in. As such, they are far less dangerous than even National Guardsmen. The only equipment they have are rifles they own, and their POVs, unless the State temporarily issues them other equipment, like radios and emergency response gear.
Likely, the State would arrange for them to unofficially keep their former rank in such a militia, but as a class designation, like E-5 and O-2 are used. They behave like Marines around each other because they want to, and subordinates are rated by superiors.
Senior personnel would be in charge of designing their training regimen, and evaluating their standards, such as signing off on PT tests.
Again, the overall purpose is to keep them in shape, so that if there is a recall, there will be a motivated and prepared reserve ready to get back on active duty. Unlike a “come one, come all” militia, though, they would have a focus on doing things the current USMC way, as a mutually supportive team effort.
They personally benefit. The State benefits in several ways, and at very low cost. Even the USMC benefits if there is a need for experienced and ready to perform inactive reservists.
Wasn’t the original purpose of the marines to make sure pressed sailors didn’t jump ship? ;-)
What bothers me is why Gates has gone public with this as though it's his idea?
the worst personnel pick of the Bush Presidency.
The reason that the USMC grows like this is that they are better at everything they do than the Army. It’s still true that threatening to send the USMC scares the living shyt out of our enemies.
So the Secretaries of Defense have relied more and more on The United States Marine Corps to do their share of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now Gates wants cut back The Corps because they were and are successful?
That sounds like just another way to help the muzzie terrorists and hurt the American Military as part of 0bama's anti-American agenda.
Perhaps it is 0bama's revenge for what the Marines did to the muzzies on the Shores of Tripoli those many years ago.
Who better than The United States Military patriots to give up their military retirement and healthcare policies so that money can funneled into paying back those 2008 campaign contributions. (/s)
Wait,, wait, don't tell me!
Bring them all home and convert them into a federal domestic community based police force!
Gates is destroying our military & he is going to retire after he has done so.
What a legacy!!!