Marines Want New Reapers
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An MC-1 Reaper drone. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys/Air Force.
The Marine Corps has indicated that it plans to add only 100 Marines to its roster in 2020, but wants a buttload of the new Reaper drones that are coming on the market.
I did think was something that Duffel Blog had cooked up, but it was posted in Marine Corps Times. My obvious question would be “What will recruiters do if the jarheads only want 100 new people to torment?”
They’re also, per the article going to add this to their stock of stuff:
- 1,398 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, or JLTVs, in fiscal year 2020, 244 less than the prior year.
- 56 of the first full rate production of the new eight-wheeled amphibious combat vehicle, to replace the current amphibious tracked vehicle
- ground combat and utility task vehicle versions of the networking-on-the-move system, or NOTM. The Corp’s NOTM system is designed to ease data and communications while being highly mobile on the battlefield.
- eight Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar, or G/ATOR. The G/ATOR is a mobile radar system capable of tracking an array of air breathing targets and incoming projectiles like mortars, artillery and cruise missiles.
This is in addition to all those other things they need for weapons and logistical support. But they’re only adding 100 people to the plot line, so maybe retention is up, and they just aren’t talking about it.
The article goes into more detail. At least we know partly how our tax money is being spent.
Category: "Your Tax Dollars At Work", Marine Corps
This 21st century technology is amazing.
“Veeery interesting.”
I like how technology helps our troops in harms’ way, but I hope they don’t lean on it too much to the detriment of basic skills needed when the technology fails.
Needs more cowbell.
You got it.
https://youtu.be/R8fpVNhiqKQ
Good to see the Gyrenes getting some of the latest toys. Does this mean there will be a shortage of # 2 red crayons as they color in the grid squares the Reaper has covered? Asking for a friend.
Local AFB is starting to get some depot level work on these systems. The Air Museum has several (Global Hawk 1st Gen ?) on display. Anything that can help our warriors in harms way is welcome. If we could keep the graft and kickbacks out of procurement, they could have more.
I help keep myself semi sane by imagining that my tax dollars are spent strictly on defence. Yeah, I know, it’s dishonest to myself, but it helps.
Still doesn’t answer ‘Why only 100 new jarheads?’
Think of the poor recruiters!!!!
The Marines Are Looking For A VERY, VERY FEW Good Men.
I feel like asking for only 100 extra bodies is a negotiating tactic. When they go in, they’ll say “alright, we’ll skip asking for the extra troops, but you gotta give us the drones.”
The party pooper thinks that retirements and losses are projected to stabilize at just a few more than is currently projected to enlist. Probably several thousand new guys to train.
“The Corps plans to only grow by 100 Marines to 186,200 in fiscal year 2020.” That doesn’t mean that the Marines will only bring in 100 new recruits during FY20 – it means that the Corps will GROW by only 100 Marines above current strength.
Recruiters aren’t off the hook – new recruits are still required to fill the spots opened by attrition (EAS, retirement, administrative and punitive discharges).