WASHINGTON
(AP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced his choices for new leadership of the Marine Corps on Monday, passing over a maverick candidate in favor of the service’s No. 2 official.
Gates said he has recommended that President Barack Obama nominate Gen. James Amos for the top job of commandant of the Marine Corps. The job requires Senate confirmation.
The White House is expected to accept Gates’ choice. A public schedule released last week prematurely listed Amos as the nominee.
Amos is seen as willing to support Gates and other senior Pentagon leaders as they spend the next several months looking for cost savings.
In choosing him, Gates and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus passed over Gen. James Mattis, an expert in counterinsurgency warfare who would have probably posed a stiffer challenge to proposed budget changes.
Amos is the service’s assistant commandant. He would replace Marine Gen. James Conway, whose four-year term as Marine commandant ends this fall. Gates proposed replacing Amos as No. 2 with Lt. Gen. Joseph Dunford.
“I came to these leadership decisions after a thorough process that considered several outstanding candidates,” Gates said. “I am convinced that Gen. Amos and Lt. Gen. Dunford are the right team to lead the U.S. Marine Corps at this time, especially as it balances the capabilities needed to support current operations, its unique maritime heritage and its future role defending America.”
Mattis, the head of the Joint Forces Command, is regarded as a rising star but one willing to challenge his superiors and the prevailing political winds.
The Marines, conceived as a flexible, hybrid land and sea service, have spent most of the last decade fighting wars firmly on land. After years of duty in Iraq that mirrored the Army, Marines are in the midst of sustained combat in landlocked Afghanistan’s Helmand Province
+1
we are a force in readiness, if you look at one of the statements: “In choosing him, Gates and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus passed over Gen. James Mattis, an expert in counterinsurgency warfare who would have probably[COLOR=“Red”] posed a stiffer challenge to proposed budget changes[/COLOR]”
yeah like we ever had that much money to spend? we are a breed of warriors not budget balancing clowns, I can only wonder what else are they going to take away from us?
I was also hoping for Gen. Mattis, I hope our boys get the support they need no matter who becomes the Next Commandant.
Mattis, the head of the Joint Forces Command, is regarded as a rising star but one willing to challenge his superiors and the prevailing political winds.
Gates is looking for a weakling, politically speaking, to allow him to hammer his proposed changes through. The largest being the elimination of the Amphibious Assault elements.
I hear ya… I was just trying to reemphasize their need for a “yes Sir” politician versus a warrior. We’re on the same page, just a little miscommunication.
Maybe Gen. Mattis can replace McChrystal when he retires or is fired. But yeah my dad would be saying “Wow an Aviator in charge of the Corps never thought I would see the day.”
The Marines, conceived as a flexible, hybrid land and sea service, have spent most of the last decade fighting wars firmly on land. After years of duty in Iraq that mirrored the Army, Marines are in the midst of sustained combat in landlocked Afghanistan’s Helmand Province
I wonder what the point of this sentence is. Seems like a set up for the argument that we dont need the Marines, a 24/7 maritime capable, amphibious fighting force.
I’ve heard this said before. Typically from someone who does not understand the role of the Marines.