Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Posted on 06/07/2010 2:38:00 PM PDT by jazusamo
The Pentagon is opposing a popular provision that would change the name of the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps.
The provision, which Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) has pushed for years, has a record 415 co-sponsors in the House and recently passed by unanimous consent as a standalone bill.
Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), a former Marine, has introduced a similar provision in the Senate that has attracted 78 co-sponsors — more than enough to pass as a standalone bill or as part of the pending defense bills as an amendment.
In a letter released by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the Pentagon’s general counsel, Jeh Johnson, called the efforts to rename the Department of the Navy “unnecessary.”
“A re-designation could be viewed as more than symbolic, and could easily be misinterpreted as a step away from the heritage and tradition of a strong Navy and Marine Corps team,” Johnson wrote to Levin.
The Marine Corps is under the umbrella of the Navy Department. Jones and supporters of the change argue that not including the Marine Corps in the Navy Department’s formal name is a slight to the Marines who have fought and died for the U.S.
In his letter to Levin, Johnson said the Navy and Marine Corps have been “one team led by one secretary” since 1798. Johnson also warned that the renaming would cost the Pentagon “several hundred thousand dollars a year over the next several years and would not enhance the standing or reputation of the Marine Corps.”
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Navy pilot, has been one of the strongest opponents to the change of the department’s name.
Asked recently if he backs the Jones measure, McCain, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, responded, “No. I don’t. That’s the Department of the Navy.”
probably end up costing a billion dollarsa
I’m all for the name change...and not just because McLame opposes it.
I’m all for the name change...and not just because McLame opposes it.
I worked with a Marine who proudly declared the Marines are a department of the Navy - the Mens department!
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
...I wish Jones had put as much effort into fighting the homosexualization of the military...
I'm too cheap because that doesn't leave enough money for bribes!
I’m for it also because I believe the Marine Corps deserves the recognition for their excellence.
Amen!
This idea makes such good sense, but the name should be Department of the Navy and Marine Corps and Medical Corps and Supply Corps and Civil Engineering Corps and Judge Advocate General Corps.
I think they’re all wet.
Wouldn't the Army have to be changed to the Department of the Army and Rangers?
Nice idea, but hardly worth the millions it would cost to make the transition.
Well, somebody's gotta post this:
Many of my friends serving in the Marines Corps are against it because it would mean ordering new staionary and that would be wasteful - always practical, they’d rather see the money spent on more ammo.
It’s not just the stationary that will cost a hugh bundle; they will have to change every freaking regulation at every person’s desk. Instead of doing any real work (like there is any), they will be paying people 75,000 a year to amend every freaking piece of paper to reflect the new name. All of the symbols will have to be changed, including (I’m sure) ensignia for uniforms. Been there, done that, and for this reason and this reason alone, it’s stupid. I worked for Marines for 32 years, and trust me, the relationship with the Navy now is as close as they want to get.
Colossal waste!
It’s a waste of money and a loss of tradition.
That would be insignia but nevertheless don't wager the rent money because you'd lose. The words "Department of the Navy" don't appear on the Eagle Globe and Anchor on a Marine's uniform.
I worked for Marines for 32 years,
32 years and none of their attention to detail rubbed off on you.
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