The Marine Corps attempted in a small way to have a unit begin a 30 month foundation tour when they implemented the transplacement battalion concept in 1959.

The units retained their original battalion history and Regimental designations while being swapped between divisions on the West Coast and the Far East.

Each Battalion Commander built his staff and Company grade officers by selecting outstanding and experienced officers he knew personally or liked what his senior staff officers recommended. No 2nd Lt. need apply!

Senior Staff NCO's were selected in a similar manner dow to including Platoon Sgt's and Right Guides. Squad leaders were detailed to the battalion as E-4 Sgts and E-3 Corporals who were serving on a second, or third enlistment tour as infantrymen.

It created a great identification with the unit by those who served in those few battalions that were tasked for this concept. Training quality in those battalions was as intense as it was positive.

Vietnam effectively put an end to that particular experiment.

I have always wondered if Army and Marine infantry units had been rotated in and out of Vietnam as a unit, would the higher level of expierence and unit cohesion have made a difference inthe final outcome and the perception of our troops by the folks bach home better back in the day?