Marines set for ***THIRD*** tour of duty in Iraq

[Bluebear]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050726/pl_afp/usmilitaryiraq_050726162719

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The First Marine Expeditionary Force, which took part in the invasion of Baghdad in April 2003, is revving up for a return to
Iraq, and for some of its forces, a third tour of duty, their commander General John Sattler said.

"Some guys are leaving on their third tour. We're keeping down the number of third tours," he told reporters. "We're going in position with the same combat capability. Some might be taken off the ramps; it will be condition-based."

"We are going to train and mentor the Iraqi forces, enable and facilitate, as well as conduct (counter)insurgency operations. The focus will be on how to partner with Iraqi security forces," said Sattler. The aim is "for us to become more and more distant (...) present to assist but not really present."

For these California-based marines, the routine is now a seven month deployment followed my seven months of training, he said.

[babylonsister]

1. I wonder how many of these soldiers really want

to go back? :cry:

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. oh man :^(

[Devil Dog Dem]

4. They aren't soldiers. They are Marines.

There is a substantial difference between the two.

Semper Fi,
Devil Dog Dem

[babylonsister]

9. Well, I know the terminology is different, but please do tell

what the actual difference is. Is a Marine a soldier? What's so substantial a difference?

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. Marines are naval troops.

The Marine Corps is under the Navy Department, and the Marines are specialised amphibious-assault troops. "Soldier" is the proper term for Army personnel.

[Devil Dog Dem]

11. A Marine is someone in the Marine Corps (obviously) . . .

A soldier is someone in the Army. People improperly use the term "soldier" as a generic term (when they should use the term "troop" instead).

Calling a Marine a soldier is akin to calling someone in the Air Force a sailor. It is a good way to start a fight! ;)

Semper fi

Devil Dog Dem

[Coexist]

2. a third tour?!

Oh, my heart is bleeding for these men and women. How sad and irresponsible of our government.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

5. Some are on their 4th tour from what I read the other day.

[Sgent]

6. Although not fun

This isn't exactly unusual for Marines. They typically go on floate for 6 mos, then restup for 6, then train for 6... repeat. So even your average 4 yr enlistment will get 2 tours of duty.

One big issue is that MEU's aren't really setup for this type of operation. As US Special Operation Command assets, they are the "backbone" of our special forces.

The idea is that in 2 days they can put 5,000 men anywhere, fully equipped, with air support, and its completely self contained -- no need for any assetts other than that of the MEU to project force. They have their own air small air wing and carrier, etc.

Although probably better trained in things such as air/ground integration than most forces, they are not trained in long-term occupation, don't have specialised intelligence abilities, MPs, Medical, etc.

As a force they have training in (so-called) nonlethal warfare, extreme weather (hot and cold) deployment. They are really made for short term conficts or peacekeeping, this crap they are not trained for.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Where Will This Mess Be In A Year?

With the continued problems in recruting, the worsening military and political situation and further cut backs. There's gotta be a breaking point.

And how dare anyone blame anyone but this regime for how it's abused the military and weakened it. Shameful.

[madeline_con]

8. "... but not really present...."

Military jargon for: "We'll turn the other way when the Iraqi security forces brutalize their countrymen, like we trained them to do."

Did someone say "mutiny"?