As the nation winds down its commitment to two wars, the Obama administration is proposing military manpower cuts and defense spending reductions. Proposals mandate the Pentagon find nearly $500 billion in reduced defense spending. In addition to cuts in force structure, what could be the effect on the military, in terms of capability and flexibility?
Defense officials are questioning amphibious capability, reason d’être for the U.S. Marine Corps. A policy shift of seeking out international partners, and acting multilaterally may lead an administration to view the Nation’s only true expeditionary force as an expensive luxury.
Current law mandates a viable Marine Corps of three division-wing teams. The corps can provide the Nation a capability to respond in a broad spectrum of foreign military policy. Now, 236 years old, the corps is the smallest and most cost-effective of all the Services.
With flexibility in mind, the corps must maintain an amphibious capability, and the National Security Act dictates this function. Finally, the corps also has a rich history of fighting small wars, not just the amphibious assault. With these capabilities, you can’t consider the Corps an Army add-on.
R.D. Greeson, Jr.
Bristol, Tenn.
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