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Could the last days of the Marine Corps be here?
Posted by Ryan Bell on Thursday, June 6, 2013 · 1 Comment
By: Ryan Bell, We Are 1776, Contributor
With almost two hundred and thirty-eight years of service, there has been one branch of the United States military which has been known world renowned. That branch of service is the United States Marine Corps (or the “Marines.”) The Marines have always held a certain form of respect and fear from almost every one of the United States’ enemies and, so, it can be considered rather disheartening to hear that it might be time for the Marine Corps flag to be folded up and put away.
Even though the discussion on whether or not to dissolve the Marines has been ongoing since the Marines formation on November 10th, 1775. But, the final hour for the marines might be this time. The argument that the Marine Corps should be eliminated is gaining more and more of a foothold in the capitol and within the Department of Defense.
In 2010, Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates questioned the Department of Defense about their need for the United States Marine Corps. The main point Former Secretary Gates made was that the main mission for the Marines, amphibious landings, is no longer a feasible form of invasion and, as such, because their mission cannot be fulfilled, there is no longer a need for them.
However, the Marines have served in many different positions. As a constant force of readiness, the United States Marine Corps can be deployed anywhere in the world within seventy-two hours. Not only that, Marines have a historical record of performing at a higher rate than the United States Army. Additionally, Marines also guard United States Embassies, the President of the United States, and areas with classified information.
One other issue which the Marines have is that they are not their own active branch of military. The United States Marine Corps is actually part of the Department of the United States Navy. Recently, United States Congressional Resolution 124 passed which renamed the Department of the Navy into the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. Even so, the Resolution does affect how the Marine Corps will receive funding.
The United States Marine Corps, partly, does receive funding directly from Congress under the annual United States budget. However, the other part of their budget is provided to them by the United States Navy. The second half of their funding goes towards housing, food, training and maintaining the readiness of the force.
Nevertheless, with top Naval officials who dictate the amount of funding the Marine Corps will receive and with personal cut within the Corps, the Marines Corps still have a history of completing their mission with less money and less supplies. In fact the United States Marine Corps $18.8 billion for the 2014 fiscal year is small compared to other branches of military and Department of Defense projects.
Now, there is a need to cut back on war-time spending and, overall, cut spending in the public sector. If the United States slowly eliminates its overseas presence, such cuts will occur gradually and, perhaps, more so if the United States can effectively cut spending in other areas. However, eliminating part of the military which is utilized at the President of the United States’s discretion and has a history of completing the objective in the most effective way possible is not the best action to take. So, Semper Fidelis (“Always Faithful/Loyal“) and keep the Marine Corps.
Works Cited
Francis, David. “Why Afghanistan Might Be the Marines’ Last Fight.” Fiscal Times, 06 May 2013. Web. 05 June 2013
Whos gonna hold the umbrella for the prez?!
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