USMC Set To Become the Lead Maneuver Force In The US Military

[SASless]

Some interesting thinking about the emergence of the USMC post 9-11 in modernization and technology leading it to eclipse the US Army.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2018/08/06/why-marine-aviation-is-leaping-into-the-future-and-army-aviation-isnt/#16bd2e214141

[West Coast]

Interesting. Leadership expected some lean years as they modernized and moved away from the Iraq/Afghanistan war fighting mentality. Lean years they definitely had, hopefully there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

[SASless]

Perhaps when the Army ever gets away from viewing the Helicopter as a variation of the Deuce and a Half Truck.....it might do better aviation-wise.

Then of course there is the age old bickering between the Air Force and Army over what kind of aviation assets the Army is allowed to operate and what limitations are place upon those operations.

Heaven forbid the Army should try to take on "real" aviation operations that would undermine the Air Force's perceived supremacy in such matters.

The benefit the USMC gets from being part of Navy Aviation is big budgets, sophisticated aircraft, and a more specialized mission than the Army.


Then there is the Leadership thing.....at least the Marines have Adult Leaders.

[Lonewolf_50]

Perhaps when the Army ever gets away from viewing the Helicopter as a variation of the Deuce and a Half Truck.....it might do better aviation-wise. They have, somewhat. When I was on various joint staffs, I was introduced to the new and enlightened era (by some Army field grade officers I worked with). 90's and early 00's. Aviation (in particular attack aviation) is a maneuver unit. Medium lift not so much. The 101st at Fort Campbell with their large aviation presence also seem to be among the more enlightened. As to learning how to make the most out of the aviation assets ... heh, that's a never ending struggle.
Heaven forbid the Army should try to take on "real" aviation operations that would undermine the Air Force's perceived supremacy in such matters. USAF is pretty good at training, standardization, and large muscle movement air ops. They treat helicopters like something that doesn't really belong on the dinner plate.
The benefit the USMC gets from being part of Navy Aviation is big budgets, sophisticated aircraft, and a more specialized mission than the Army.
Big budgets? Hmmm. Interesting use of a comparative term. The Marines are purpose built as a combined arms force down to the MAGTF/Battalion(+) level. They also don't have Army's weighty Title 10 responsibilities.
Then there is the Leadership thing Yeah. That they have. And a dogged commitment to mission. (Else V-22 would have died to Cheney's axe when he was SecDef, and at various other points).

[SASless]

What I meant by "Big Budget" was not so much in actual Dollars.....but by being part of the FJ Community, some C-130's, and a very close association to the Navy when it comes to Aviation Think.

The USMC and US Army are quite different in Mission Sets and other obligations that burdens the Army with a very wide array of obligations.

A good friend here....is a Full Timer at the Army Reserve unit....a Boat Unit consisting of LCU's, LCM's and other utility type amphibious craft.

He has made three deployments as a Reservist....and was headed off for his fourth when he managed to break an Ankle (on duty injury)....and now is about to retire.

When you consider the Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction and tasking, the Maritime side of the Army, along with all of the other bits and pieces....it is easy to understand how Aviation became a very minor subset over the years.

We can harken back to the way Armor came into being....as a support element for the Infantry before achieving its current major command status.

[sandiego89]

Maybe it was only me, but I did cringe a bit in the first paragraph: "the Marines became the first service to begin operating the F-35 fighter, a multi-role strike aircraft that in the Marine version can land and take off vertically (similar to a helicopter) while remaining invisible to enemy radar...:"

Sorry Mr. Thompson, the F-35 will only do VTO as perhaps an airshow trick, and will never be "invisible"

The piece does highlight a lack of foresight and commitment with US Army aviation, but it is important to remember the USMC has most always had an emphasis on maneuver and innovation with such things as landing craft, AMTRACS, Cobra, AV8A/B, assault helicopters from the sea, organic heavy lift, MV-22...

[OFBSLF]

Who is Loren Thompson shilling for now?

[Finningley Boy]

I should worry if I headed one of the other three services, while they've nothing to worry about with the Don in charge. Should, as is likely inevitable, they get a much more left/liberal leaning President, any over prominence of the USMC could, without any conspicuous operational reliance in the meantime, see the main three having their budgets reviewed along with their very raison detre.

FB

[goudie]

My son in law was a USMC logistics Officer. He said they were given less funding than the Army so when in Iraq, they stole what they needed, especially transportation, from them! It was a recognised way of doing things.

[SASless]

goudie, That has been the way of life for the Marines....going way back in time.

For a sense of perspective....when in Somalia working for a once very large, once British Helicopter Operator, I stole/scrounged/borrowed from the Marines to get food, petroleum products, and maintenance equipment to include a 212 Jesus Nut Wrench in order to assemble the aircraft upon arrival.

As a former US Army Warrant Officer Vietnam Chinook Pilot....we understood the concept of "Midnight Requisitioning".