i feel that a marine meu(soc), which consists of a battalion size landing force, is to small..................

Question

for an amphibious assault. i think it is good for humanitarian services but to do an amphbious operation with only a battalion size landing force, which is only 3 line companies is entirely to small for an assault

Answer 1

Depends on the assault. Our troops today have tremendous skill and firepower. One certainly could over extend them, but like all good weapons, properly used, properly prepared, and with proper timing and follow through, our military can do amazing things. But, like taking out aspirin factories in Sudan or a bunch of tents in Afghanistan that day, we do have a history of political direction that is a little less than deft. It is a limited force intended for a distinct and limited mission.

Remember Mogidishu (sp?), we lost a dozen and a half, but killed between 600-1,000 of the enemy with a much smaller force of Rangers. Grabbing some distinct strategic or tactical toe-hold can be just the needed start for something bigger elsewhere, vice versa. Not every tool is an all-purpose tool, but this is not an inconsequential tool.

Answer 2

Black Sabbath, Joker and Rabbit have it right..you have to tailor the mission........take a city with an MEU ? Nah....take a, say, Syrian WMD bunker in the Becka Valley long enough to fly in UN inspectors and CNN? Maybe.....
those three line companies also have Harriers and Cobras and DDG and CG gunfire support behind them ( too bad Wisconsin and New Jersey aren't still on the gun line!) ....

and the main reason an MES (SOC) is sized the way it is relates to the space available and numbers available of those grey hulled LXXs that carry them around.....

Answer 3

well remember the purpose of a MEU isint to be the sole invading force. They are an expiditionary force, waiting for trouble to erupt in the world and quickly reacting to the problems.

A MEU was perfect for the problem in Beruit.

Now granted, they wont invade a country, but they can quickly take a foothold from which other units (ARMY) can land and launch a large attack to take more land.

Answer 4

Depends what resistance they will encounter. One MEU would probly be able to take over Grenada, but not Mexico.