A possible answer to why the Airside is winning the budget war against the Ground.

I've been harping on it.

Been pissed off by it.

But its been obvious that the Wing has been prioritized over the Ground side in the Marine Corps budget.  Don't be fooled by a couple of trinkets that have been thrown to the Grunts either.  A sling?  Professionals buy those on their own dime to fit their particular style.  The M-27 (IAR)?  A toy tossed to Marine Gunners (talking WO-5's not the people using them) that defeats the real purpose of suppressive fire in the Rifle Squad.

Yeah.

The Wing has been winning the budget war.  But why?  According to a little birdie, the reasons are clear.  In my opinion they're based on a little deductive reasoning, a little hope and a big prayer to the Lord above.

1.  The wars of the future will be more like Libya than Iraq.
2.  Aviation has an extremely long development cycle.
3.  The Marine Corps MEU IS becoming more aviation centric.
4.  The MEF will be fully mechanized and armor will be bought after aviation is upgraded.
5.  The AAV is good enough for now.

Essentially the upgrade path that has been publicized is smoke and mirrors.

Better stated...its been ripped up and we're doing a new plan.

Quite honestly.  This sounds credible.  I also think its a mistake.  But it is a plan.  Hopefully they'll get it done.  I don't have to like it, but we do need to have a direction.