Brat,
the lively debate in the US military seems to be, not about whether the F-35’s are worth the money, but why can’t we get these weapons quicker.
If you were really astute about the interworking of the Washington, DC scene, you might fill in the background for your comment besides what you have read, written by the Marine aviation head. For openers, keep in mind the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presently, is a Marine Four Star General, Joseph Dunford, appointed by then President Obama. The new Secretary of Defense, Jame Mattis is a retired Marine Four Star General,appointed by Trump, a very good choice. The head of Marine aviation isn't naive about Washington politics. He wants the F-35B quicker as he has a direct line to the top at the moment that rarely happens. Also, the sooner he gets them, the sooner he can accurately figure out how much more money will be required to fix them and/or upgrade them and the number of personnel required for the whole works. Even if he got more, quicker, they aren't ready for deployment in the field, yet. The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. The Navy has much sway about F-35Bs how many go to the Marines, when and at what cost. They are battling for funding as well, remember F-35Cs, 3 new aircraft carriers, new subs, etc., etc.? Besides that, the USAF and US Army hold sway as well. Congress may give money to the Marines, but the US Navy decides.
I'd suggest you pay more attention to the politics of Washington before believing everything that's gloriously written about the F-35Bs. You should keep in mind the B model is the most expensive of the three models by far and may be the least capable of the three. I judge from your writings you aren't interested in what things cost and how many you can buy with the least monetary expenditure. But, believe it or not, there are people in power in Congress that control the check book who are interested in costs and they are knowledgable about the F-35s and they in the end will be the financial deciders.