USMC and SOCOM

[DDilegge]

Decided to place this thread here as perhaps a "capability"...

After much pressure by SECDEF Rumsfeld, it appears that the Marine Corps' increased role within US Special Operations Command is a "done deal". Exactly what this role will finally be and the impact it will have on the roles and missions of the USMC is still to be seen. Would like to get a discussion going here - pros - cons - on a USSOCOM Marine Component, roles and missions, and what all this might mean to the USMC as a whole.

Two news items from today provide some basis for a discussion:

Unconventional Marines - National Review.

Rumsfeld Orders Review of Special Operations Forces - Agence France-Press.

What do you think?