The Corps current strength is approximately 175,000. Going up to 202,000 is only adding a little over 27,000 more Marines. With the new rules from the CMC/Pentagon, not all those Marines will be normally eligible for combat duty (Women and not yet 18 year old males). Getting bigger is not a bad idea and admittedly, it won't be without a few problems. The biggest problem may probably be dealing with the recruit training aspects - gear/uniform issue availabilities, weapons issues, and that MCRD-PI and MCRD-SD are only so big (barracks, etc) and the logistics of running a continous training schedule without burning out the Drill Instructors will be the nightmare. But, with all that under consideration, being Marines, it will get done.
Standards won't be sacrificed, but more than likely, be improved, tightened and more strictly enforced.
During the 1960's, the Army rejected about 12% of all their recruits for various reasons, the Navy also about the same. The Marines rejected over 25% of their recruits as unfit to be Marines. They probably trundled off to join the Army or the Air Force. Our standards have always been higher than the other branches of military services but that is because we, the very people who populate the Corps, expect the higher standards to be imposed on ourselves and would be disappointed if they weren't. Remember that old saying, "If it were easy, everybody would be a Marine." Semper Fidelis
I would like to see the Corps at four full divisions - 4th Marine Divaion and 4th Marine Airwing active, and Marine Reserve become the 5th Marine Division and 5th Marine Airwing, before Bush leaves office. Once agian, the Marine Corps has shown its place as a distinctly different military organization, with a special place in a changing world. The qick reaction force that the Commander and Chief can deploy for threats around the globe. They have definatley proven thmselves in Iraq and I believe they will in Afganistan as well.
Ahead of schedule? well it's about damned time! Naw seriously, the help is needed, and God Bless all those who answer the call... my best wishes and highest regards....
I don't see the Corps getting larger a problem. The only problem will be the recruiting aspect. I don't want my beloved Corps to start lowering their standards like the Army did just to get bodies.
If the Army can maintain it's size...then the Marines will have no problem getting bigger...then look out, we won't need the Army anymore.
Naw seriously, the help is needed, and God Bless all those who answer the call... my best wishes and highest regards....
