Marine Chief Worries Force Growing Heavy

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - Commandant Gen. James Conway said Monday he is concerned about the Marines Corps' ability to respond to security flare-ups around the world on short notice because of the demands put on it by the Iraq war.

In recent years, the Marine Corps has emerged as a "second land Army" tasked with securing Iraq and must buy heavy equipment, including a fleet of 3,700 mine-resistant vehicles, to protect its personnel from roadside bombs, Conway said.

"I'm a little bit concerned about us keeping our expeditionary flavor. ... We are much heavier than ever before," he said at a lunch sponsored by the Center for New American Security.

Conway's comments come amid discussion at the Pentagon that the Marines pull its forces from Iraq and send them instead to Afghanistan to take the lead combat role there.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-exec/2007/oct/15/101502883.html

[aquart]

1. Marines are shock troops and we aren't having those kinds of battles.

Right? Ignorance needs correcting! I don't even know what I mean by "shock troops." What does he mean by "heavy"?

[evlbstrd]

2. "Heavy" means vehicles and artillery.

The Marines don't roll like that.

[atreides1]

3. My take

"Heavy" means heavy equipment! MBT, anti-IED vehicles, etc.

Shock troops are supposed to be able to move fast, and carry as little equipment as possible.

[Bigmack]

4. What he said was:

"The Marines are getting bogged down - and ground down - in this clusterfuck. There's no glory to be had in Iraq. Leave the Army with this steaming pile of shit."