All tanks, all bridging companies, all MPs (YAY!!!!!), several squadrons, and axing 8th Marines.
1) The Marines will have three fewer infantry units and will shed about 7% of its overall force as the service prepares for a potential face-off with China;
2) The Marine Corps is cutting all military occupational specialties associated with tank battalions, law enforcement units and bridging companies.
3) The Marines are also reducing its number of infantry battalions from 24 to 21 and cutting tiltrotor, attack and heavy-lift aviation squadrons.
4) Units and squadrons that will be deactivated under plan include:
3rd Battalion, 8th Marines
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469
Marine Wing Support Groups 27 and 37
8th Marine Regiment Headquarters Company.
5) The 8th Marine Regiment's other units -- 1/8 and 2/8 -- will be absorbed by other commands.
6) Artillery cannon batteries will fall from 21 today to five. Amphibious vehicle companies will drop from six to four.
Cost savings associated with trimming the ranks will pay for a 300% increase in rocket artillery capabilities, anti-ship missiles, unmanned systems and other high-tech equipment leaders say Marines will need to take on threats such as China or Russia.
7) The Marine Corps will also create three littoral regiments that are organized, trained and equipped to handle sea denial and control missions. The news release describes the new units as a "Pacific posture." Marine expeditionary units, which deploy on Navy ships, will augment those new regiments.
On the local level, this stinks for 3rd and 1st (Okinawa and Pendleton), but with the MARSOC moves there will be a huge boost to Lejeune.
