CM,
You are exactly right in your analysis of the F-35B being an "early IOC".
PhillipG,
I am sure the USMC had made an early decision to go IOC in support of their promise to do so, but I doubt the IOC discussion remained contained to only the USMC high level Pentagon contingent. There are much broader implications and there were probably indecisions as to how to move forward among the three participating services.
Keep in mind this is the most expensive defense program currently going in the US and it doesn't have very stellar
PR among officials outside the Pentagon in the know that carry weight. Much has been given up or postponed by other services because of bulging costs to keep the F-35 rolling forward. It was probably a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" discussion. However, the new General appointed Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff isn't an Army, USN or USAF General. I am not surprised how it worked out in the end. Just my thoughts on this, no clear evidence, yet…
TD