How can you tell that the fighting is truly over in al Anbar? It’s when the US Marines, who’ve been assigned primary responsibility the Sunni dominated, western Iraqi AOR since 2004, decide that it’s time to up sticks and move to Afghanistan – because heard tell? They’ve still got a fight going on over there:
A bid by the Marine Corps to take responsibility for the primary U.S. military mission in Afghanistan is generating a heated debate inside and outside the Pentagon, with some senior officers arguing that the Marines are ideally suited for the Afghan war while others contend that the move would undermine the counterinsurgency strategy there…
The Marine Corps is enthusiastic about a possible move to Afghanistan, with senior officials saying yesterday that its integrated air, ground and logistics units are tailor-made for the dispersed fighting in rugged terrain.
“It’s an optimal deployment of the Marine Corps,” said one senior Marine officer, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to be interviewed. “We feel as though we could very neatly fit into that niche.”
Marine combat units — traditionally trained in mountain warfare — served in Afghanistan starting soon after the 2001 U.S. invasion. They have been largely pulled out over the past two years to focus on Iraq’s Anbar province, where there are about 25,000 Marines. Over the past year, violence has fallen sharply in the western province, leading to the withdrawal last month of 2,200 Marines.
Under the proposal, as Marines are freed up from Iraq they would flow gradually into Afghanistan, relieving Army soldiers, who make up the bulk of the U.S. contingent of 27,000 troops. “It would be phased” and would probably begin next year, leading eventually to the Marines assuming the U.S. command there, said another senior Marine official. “We could do a heck of a job there,” he said, adding that some Marine commanders are making contingency plans for training for an Afghan mission.
You gotta love these guys. Unless, you know: They’re coming after you. Or your mission.
And even if you don’t? You want to be real careful when you pick a fight with them. Whether that be in Afghanistan, Iraq or Congress. Because that whole “no better friend, no worse enemy” thing?
They mean that.
There’s just no quit in these guys either. Coming off a tough fight in Al-Anbar, and their first response is … yeah, send us to Afghanistan….
Jim C
[...] though I turn to others more eloquent than I to make the point, please read what Lex has to say here. Make sure that you read this one all the way through because the points that he makes at the end [...]
Lex,
I love the last three paragraphs.
You had me laughing out loud on this one because you are so right.
Oh, and we really do mean it.
Well, I guess it’s better to have the Marines happy and occupied with business to do than bored and getting sloppy or into trouble.
More power to them! Let them do the job they are best prepared for. Nothing like using the best tool in the toolbox for the job at hand.
The History Channel has a special “The Last Samurai.” Caught it one lazy weekend a few months back on the TiVo like thing under the TV…
It seems the Samuri Code and the rules and rituals and the like were developed after Japan had been made peaceful by the sword, and those with two swords walked the streets with not much of nothing to do, but dream up stuff to do in peacetime.
Moral of the story: Send them into the fight. They don’t come up with ideas that are a mere shadow of the actual warrior ethos (and some of us know about how shiny the brass has to be…)
God Bless each and every Marine…
Send me your names and OpGrat will send you a package this holiday season.
The Army let Marines take over a war?
I think not.
There are far more ossifers who need pretty medals in the Army than there are in the Marine Corps.
Boys get a little antsy when you try to take over what their territory.
Loved those last three paragraphs, Lex. They reminded me of many of the Marines I talked to today. I spent the day spreading the word about Valour-IT, turning the tables on Marines who were trying to entice me to buy something in support of their units’ activities. It was amazing to watch their demeanor change from casually friendly, to very serious (I could see memory/friends in their eyes), to extreme warmth as I talked to them about Valour-IT. And most of them remembered me when I passed later; they would break into smiles when they saw me and go out of their way to greet me again.
Yes, I have a very soft spot for Marines (considering I’m a single woman, it’s probably a soft spot in my head, haha!). But’s true, they mean it; do something nice for a Marine or his brother, and you’ll have his devotion.
Lex, as always your gift with words succinctly informs and greatly amuses.
Kinda makes one glad AND relieved they’re on OUR side…
May God keep and bless the Marines.
[...] Everybody gets what they wish for. [...]