USMC fields more lethal round.

via Marine Corps Times.

The round uses an open-tip match-round design common in sniper ammunition, and is considered “barrier blind,” meaning its aim stays truer through windshields, walls and other barriers. Initially, it was considered as a way to increase the lethality of Marines carrying the M4 carbine, which has less stopping power than the M16A4 because of its shorter barrel, but was approved for use in January with both rifles.

Outstanding.  The Marine Corps wisely stuck with the M-16A4 instead of going with the 'trendy' and 'fashionable' M4 (don't misunderstand me, I realize that the M4 is being issued to Officers and SNCO's and others in select positions)...but a Rifleman needs a Rifle, not a carbine.

PS.  Go to Marine Times to read the entire article.  

Pic of the day. May 24, 2010.

100520-N-8377A-247 HAD YAO BEACH, Thailand (May 20, 2010) A Royal Thai Navy helicopter prepares to insert Royal Thai marines on the beach as a U.S. Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicle advances to its objective during a combined beach landing. The beach landing was the premier event of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2010. Elements of the Royal Thai Navy, Air Force and Marines as well as U.S. Navy and Marines took part in the landing. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael Ard/Released) 


The idea that US Forces were participating in an exercise with the Thai government while they were involved in a bloody crack down on their civilian population is disturbing.  As many readers have pointed out, I don't know the who's, why's and what for's of the situation.  Still.  Its disturbing.  

Marinestan.

Note. This is too good. Excerpt from Victor Davis (read the whole thing here)...

The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, retired three-star Army General Karl W. Eikenberry, reportedly made a comment about there being 41 nations serving in Afghanistan -- and a 42nd composed of the Marine Corps. One unnamed Obama administration official was quoted by the Washington Post as saying, "We have better operational coherence with virtually all of our NATO allies than we have with the U.S. Marine Corps."

Some officials call the new Marine enclave in Nimruz Province "Marinestan" -- as if, out of a Kipling or Conrad novel, the Marines have gone rogue to set up their own independent province of operations.

MPF(Future)

MTVR. The most important vehicle in Marine Corps service.

When the history of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are written, the vehicle that should be the subject of most conversation, at least in Marine Corps service, should be the MTVR.

No wheeled vehicle has displayed the mobility, adaptability and versatility that this design from Oshkosh has displayed.
During the war in Iraq it was indispensable.  Used as both a logistics vehicle, prime mover for artillery and infantry carrier, its easy to say that the MTVR was essential.

When the war moved to Afghanistan, its high mobility again came to the fore.  Few other vehicles were able to keep up with it cross country.  Even the vaunted Stryker could not go where the MTVR was asked to travel.
 Oshkosh MTVR Brochure 08

Hyper realistic training.

Major Hat Tip to Marcase.

Told ya so!

This from Defense Tech.  Go to their site for the whole story.

Yet, Pentagon sources tell DOD Buzz that planners aren’t just looking at cutting tail, serious cuts in tooth are also being considered. Specifically, cutting Army and Marine force levels back to where they were before Gates boosted the land forces in early 2007 by 92,000; 65,000 additional soldiers and 27,000 more Marines.

This was an easy prediction.  After every major conflict the USMC has contracted sharply.  These wars will not be an exception.  Expect even deeper cuts than those talked about in the article.  I'm thinking that the US Marines will fall to an end strength of about 150-165,000.