Yes and no.
First off, if these guys are getting railroaded because of politics and inter-service rivalries, that's not an issue of lesser importance. Letting bad PR and dumb policies sideline a unit of Marines, and possibly see them face trumped up charges, is abhorrent.
Second, I agree that the Corps has no business in SOCOM. This event illustrates that lack of discretion and finesse to the hilt. In theory, it could happen to anyone, but it happened to MARSOC right out the gate. The Marines are extremely capable at what they do, but trying to round hole/square peg them into SOCOM because some USMC generals think "Special Operations" sounds sexy is doing everyone a disservice.
I do agree on the first point. Certainly. I just have family history with Marines and will never accept them for more than their face value.
And I do wish more folks could understand the impossibly deadly nature of SF NCOs. When Blank Frank Toney decided to reinstate the warrior skills (read SFAUC) for A Teams, that was the best thing to happen in Group in ages. I guess the long hair means that they have no tactical expertise...
Take care,
BD