Marine Corps commandant says deploying troops to the border poses 'unacceptable risk'

[fleur-de-lisa]

https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-marine-corps-border-national-emergency-20190321-story.html

The commandant of the Marines has warned the Pentagon that deployments to the southwest border and funding transfers under the president's emergency declaration, among other unexpected demands, have posed “unacceptable risk to Marine Corps combat readiness and solvency.”

In two internal memos, Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller said the “unplanned/unbudgeted” deployment along the border that President Trump ordered last fall, and shifts of other funds to support border security, had forced him to cancel or reduce planned military training in at least five countries, and delay urgent repairs at bases.

The border deployment and funding transfers, as well as recovery costs from hurricanes Florence and Michael, new housing allowances and civilian pay raises, are taking a toll on combat readiness, Neller wrote to Navy Secretary Richard Spencer and Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan.

The Times obtained copies of the memos, dated March 18 and March 19.

[Socal31]

1. Marines are not the Border Patrol.

They are trained to kill, period.

[zipplewrath]

6. They don't "hold" positions

The marines don't really like being static. They basically train to always move forward. They are configured and trained to almost literally take positions, and then turn them over to the army and move on. Border patrol is contrary to all of that.

[lpbk2713]

2. Not to mention a huge detriment to morale.

Trump wants to use them as flunkies. That's not what they train for.

And there are a lot of Hispanics in the USMC. They won't take kindly to this.

[gratuitous]

3. Takeaway: Marines at the border

But they'll really, really not want to be there.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

4. Militarizing the Southern Border serves no purpose....

other than spending money that could be going towards addressing the needs of Veterans who are ailing due to ravages of war.

[mr_lebowski]

5. Well, where did he graduate in his class? That's the important question ...

Along with 'is Donald Trump a fan?', and 'when is he submitting his resignation?'

Also "Hey, Eric, how would you like to be a General in the Marine Corps, sport? What's that? No, this is IN PLACE of your Christmas Present!"

[DinahMoeHum]

7. Not to mention a violation of Posse Comitatus.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. But Cadet Bonespurs knows more than the Generals