When was the last amphibious operation at the regimental level done? why do we still have a Marine Corps?

Question

if we havnt done a large scale amphib op why have a whole branch of the service dedicated to it? its a waste of taxpayers money

Answer 1

Pardon me, but, wasn't the unopposed landing in Grenada a Regimental operation? I would think it qualified, despite being on the opposite side of the island?

I'd rather not comment on the future of the Marines. I am not in favor large scale reductions in them despite the fact that they cannot be justified under modernization and modular concepts. The Marine Special Forces unit under SOCOM was a good idea to help keep them alive though.    

Answer 2

During Desert Storm the mere threat of an amphibious assault forced Saddam to tie up several divisions. We do not have a Marine Corps to conduct Amphibious Operations everyday, the reason we have the USMC is because the sheer threat of such an operation and the options it gives our leaders is to valuable to get rid of.

Answer 3

Iwo Jima?

We still have a marine corps because we don't know what the future holds.

Answer 4

When was the last time we nuked a country? Why keep the stockpiles of  rockets with nuclear warhead that are ready to be launched at a moment's notice? It's a deterrent. Let's say theoretically the U.S. is getting ready to invade Iran and the Iran government has to place their forces to best defend themselves. Since they are fully aware that the Marines are capable of an amphibious landing they will need to spread their troops at beach heads in case the initial force lands by sea. If the US is know for their lack of an ability for amphibious landings then the troop concentration would be tighter on land resulting in larger resistance which of course results in a large body count.

Also I don't know why you choose a Marine themed screen named and don't comprehend what the Marine Corps is capable of. Amphibious assault is only one trick in a large bag of tools. On that note bear in mind that the Marine Corps is a department of the Navy and therefore is very commonly transported around on Navy ships. Any ideas on how to get from a ship to land? Marines have an air wing with each MAGTF that can insert troops by helo. A convoy of hummers with Abrams tanks is another option. Then there's the old forced march method. Before you call a branch of the military a complete waste of taxpayer money get your facts straight. Go watch the opening credits of Black Hawk Down, visit a US Embassy anywhere in the world and see who's providing security. You're more than welcome to read up on the Marines who died after they returned from Iraq and had to go straight to help quell the riots in New Orleans after Katrina.