Marines Deployed Abroad Seek Answers Amid Washington's Turmoil

[riversedge]

Marines Deployed Abroad Seek Answers Amid Washington’s Turmoil


https://www.wsj.com/articles/marines-deployed-abroad-seek-answers-amid-washingtons-turmoil-11545573601?cx_testId=16&cx_testVariant=cx&cx_artPos=0&cx_tag=contextual&cx_navSource=newsReel#cxrecs_s



Dec. 23, 2018 9:00 a.m. ET

BOST AIRFIELD, Afghanistan—On a holiday visit to American troops overseas, Gen. Robert Neller, the Marine Corps commandant, was asked by a Marine about President Trump’s orders to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan.

What, the Marine wanted to know, did the orders mean for those on combat deployments?

“That’s a really good question,” the commandant said. “And the honest answer is I have no idea.”

At every stop on his tour, Gen. Neller has faced questions about what the recent drawdown orders and the resignation of Defense SecretaryJim Mattis mean for Marines and for the broader U.S. military strategy in the Middle East.

The questions have come from Marines bundled in parkas while training in Norway as well as those sweating in the heat of Afghanistan, who are eager to know how the turmoil in Washington affects them.

.........................................

At this point, commanders regardless of their rank have few details on Mr. Trump’s plans—with no timelines, hard numbers or orders to Pentagon brass about the matter. During the trip, Gen. Neller has worked to quash scuttlebutt and motivate troops, warning them to avoid complacency and homesickness.


The Marines have laughed with their leader and his honesty, but it belied a frustration among officers and personnel about the lack of details from Washington: If Gen. Neller, one of the highest-ranking officers in the American military doesn’t know what’s happening, who does?...............................................





Commandant faces questions on the troop drawdowns. His answer: ‘I have no idea.’
Gen. Robert Neller greets Marines deployed to southern Afghanistan during the Marine Corps commandant’s holiday visit to troops abroad.