Marine Corps commandant says deploying troops to the border poses 'unacceptable risk'

[brooklynite]

Source: Los Angeles Times

The commandant of the Marines has warned the Pentagon that deployments to the southwest border and funding transfers under the president's emergency declaration, among other unexpected demands, have posed “unacceptable risk to Marine Corps combat readiness and solvency.”

In two internal memos, Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller said the “unplanned/unbudgeted” deployment along the border that President Trump ordered last fall, and shifts of other funds to support border security, had forced him to cancel or reduce planned military training in at least five countries, and delay urgent repairs at bases.

The border deployment and funding transfers, as well as recovery costs from hurricanes Florence and Michael, new housing allowances and civilian pay raises, are taking a toll on combat readiness, Neller wrote to Navy Secretary Richard Spencer and Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan.

The Times obtained copies of the memos, dated March 18 and March 19.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-marine-corps-border-national-emergency-20190321-story.html

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Marine Corps Internal Memo

[NurseJackie]

1. Shitty headline.

[Recursion]

3. How so? (nt)

[NurseJackie]

4. As worded, the headline appears to imply that the SW border itself it "too risky" or dangerous...

As worded, the headline appears to imply that the SW border itself it "too risky" or dangerous, and that even for our brave Marines, the "threats" at the SW border pose an "unacceptable risk".

When in reality:

The commandant of the Marines has warned the Pentagon that deployments to the southwest border and funding transfers under the president's emergency declaration, among other unexpected demands, have posed “unacceptable risk to Marine Corps combat readiness and solvency.”

It's very nearly clickbait.

[Recursion]

5. Huh. That reading hadn't even occurred to me

I thought it was pretty clear that he meant it distracted the Corps from its legitimate security mission.

[Recursion]

2. Neller's a good guy; I served under him

He's exactly right, and I'm glad to see he's putting his name on this.