Read about it here at Defense News.
Interesting.
Some of the Marine Corps greats would have been happy with an engraved sword, or firearm. I just can't imagine Puller, Ripley, Shupe, Mundy, Krulak, Gray, or others being arrogant enough to have the most expensive and poorly run program in our nations history justified by having the Commandant of the Marine Corps name on the side.
The Marine Corps is being bitched out to a corporation.
It sickens me.
I guess you mean David Shoup?
ReplyDeleteIn August 1942, Shoup was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and departed to the Pacific war zone, serving as an observer at the Guadalcanal and the New Georgia campaigns. Promoted to Colonel in November 1943, Shoup commanded all the Marine Corps troops landing on Betio Island at the Battle of Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. Wounded in the leg upon landing on 20 November, he fearlessly led his troops for two days under constant enemy fire and was largely responsible for the enemy's defeat. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. In December 1943, he became Chief of Staff of Second Division, participating at the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.
SecDef McNamara had Shoup removed as Commandant in 1963, when the Vietnam War was getting on and he gave some "bad" advice.
General Shoup said: "I believe that if we had, and would, keep our dirty, bloody, dollar soaked fingers out of the business of these (third World) nations, so full of depressed, exploited people, they will arrive at a solution of their own. And if unfortunately their revolution must be of the violent type, because the 'haves' refuse to share with the 'have nots' by any peaceful method, at least what they get will be their own, and not American style, which they don't want and, above all, don't want crammed down their throats by Americans."
exactly right. the Marine Corps greats would be throat punching the entire pentagon right now and saving special punishment for the Marines. they are rolling over in their graves, averting their eyes at what we have become. its shameful. Shoup was a great one. thanks for correcting me on my spelling.
DeleteSo Shoup was a fool isolationist?
DeleteShit, when even HAVE a military if it never even leaves your own borders.
I think Gen Shoup wouldn't have been a fan of nation in building Iraq and Afghanistan...just a guess.
ReplyDeleteShoup, Butler, Puller and a bunch others would have led the US in a totally different direction than the one we're on. its not lusting for the past but considering how far off the right path we've wandered.
DeleteGeneral David Shoup was correct on Vietnam.
Deletenews report: US, Vietnam sign nuclear trade agreement
"This agreement will create numerous opportunities for our businesses," Kerry told Vietnam's Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on the sidelines of an Asian summit in Brunei. "Obviously our nuclear cooperation is quite significant."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/10/us-usa-vietnam-nuclear-idUSBRE99904720131010
And here's more on General Shoup (1904-1983). Hell, I'm ex-army and I love the man.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9892
Fortunately, General "Tamer" Amos won't be allowed to fly his plane, with its "issues."
ReplyDeleteOne from the 2012 DOT&E report:
In the event of the pilot needing to escape from the aircraft, there are also some incompletely explained problems with the ejection seat in "off-normal" situations, i.e. those that can occur in combat or even real training. (p. 43.)
http://www.pogo.org/blog/2013/03/20130306-air-forces-f-35a-not-ready-for-combat.html
but you see. it doesn't matter because when he puts this plane into service it won't be his ass that he's risking. just like he wouldn't sacrifice his own daughter to the rigors of infantry training because he knows it would damage her for life, he won't subject himself or his loved ones to the dangers of this plane. he knows better. better your loved ones or mine. but he'll be damned if he takes on the same risk.
DeleteReminds me of General Peter "Perfect" Pace, recent Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, unfortunately another Marine. Pace told West Point cadets to look out for themselves and use their subordinates for the dangerous work.
DeleteAccording to General Pace, the worst thing a new lieutenant in combat can do "is get yourself killed." He said getting killed "is the easiest thing to do" in combat. "As a leader, you will have to decide who does what in life-and-death situations," he said. "It's easier to do it yourself than to send one of your soldiers out and watch him get killed doing what you told them to do," Pace said. "But you've got to worry about more than one soldier and all of your soldiers are looking to you for leadership. They will do whatever you tell them to do," he continued. "They do not want you to do it for them. They need to have you, lieutenant, on the radio calling in the fire support, giving the direction, telling them what to do. They'll go do it. They understand the risks."
General David Shoup didn't Pace himself. General Shoup didn't order his troops to go out and die, he gallantly led them.
Fucking Peter "I'll suck your dick Mr. Rumfeld" Pace. another Marine whose name should never be spoken. have you noticed that he isn't celebrated in Marine circles for being the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs? have you noticed that the first Assistant Chairman (i forgot the bastards name) that was a Marine is hardly mentioned.
Deletethey embarassed the Corps and we're all trying to forget them. the same fate awaits Amos. he'll retire (or should be arrested for command interference but Congress is asleep) and will be happily forgotten.
the next Commandant will go about the work of fixing a broken Marine Corps and he'll become legend for doing it.
In 1968, upon completion of The Basic School, Quantico, Va., General Pace was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam, serving first as a Rifle Platoon Leader and subsequently as Assistant Operations Officer. He was later assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, where he served in a number of billets, to include Security Detachment Commander, Camp David; White House Social Aide; and Platoon Leader, Special Ceremonial Platoon. . .etc.
DeleteOh Pace gets the credit for turning the Marine Corps political. he hardly served time in the Fleet and was an ass kissing 8th and I wonder boy. he looked good in uniform, knew whose ass to kiss and got promoted.
Deletethe only thing worse is if he was commandant. the bastard is a disgrace.
Rumsfeld rubbed Pace's nose in it, ordering him to conduct a tribute to departing Paul Wolfowitz, departing Iraq war architect.
DeletePentagon transcript: "Pace called Wolfowitz a 'man of great intellect.' He said the deputy works hard and encourages collegiality. 'You are, in fact, a facilitator and a person who values the judgment of others. And for that, we thank you,' Pace said. The general said the deputy is also a man of great courage. 'Those of us who wear the uniform understand courage on the battlefield, but there's another very distinct form of courage, and that is intellectual courage,' Pace said."
Hey, I just discovered Mark Collins, a defence blogger up in Canada, writing on the 3Ds blog.
ReplyDeleteexample:
http://cdfai3ds.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/mark-collins-usn-softening-on-f-35c-whither-the-whole-us-program/
Lame callsign for a lame CMC.
ReplyDeleteSchmuck.