Top Marine to Obama: Get in the Fight

It’s highly unusual for a high-ranking soldier, let alone a high-ranking Marine, to publicly question White House and Pentagon policy. Yet that’s exactly what four-star Gen. James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, did yesterday in Washington.

Speaking at the Brookings Institute Tuesday, Amos said the Obama administration paved the way for the emergence of the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) by completely withdrawing American troops in 2011.

“I have a hard time believing that had we been there, and worked with the government, and worked with parliament, and worked with the minister of defense, the minister of interior, I don't think we'd be in the same shape we're in today,” Amos said.

Amos also blasted the White House for failing to live up to its obligations around the world.

“We may think we're done with all of these nasty, thorny, tacky little things that are going on around the world -- and I'd argue that if you're in that nation, it's not a tacky, little thing for you. We may think we're done with them, but they're not done with us," Amos said.

“We're probably the only country in the world that has the resources and the capability to be able to do some of this that others can't,” Amos added.

One more time, General Amos had already announced his retirement BEFORE this statement.

PRESIDENT OBAMA NOMINATES NEXT COMMANDANT OF MARINE CORPS
By Sgt. Chelsea Anderson, Defense Media Activity
June 5, 2014

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Maryland — President Barack Obama has chosen Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. to serve as the 36th commandant of the Marine Corps, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today. The decision is pending senate confirmation.

Dunford is currently serving as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces-Afghanistan.

Dunford will relieve Gen. James F. Amos this fall, who will retire following his relief and appointment ceremony after 43 years of service.

“He is one of the most knowledgeable and talented leaders and thinkers in the military today,” Amos said. “He has commanded and excelled at every level. His tenure as commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan over the past 18 months has been extraordinary, and is testament to the full measure of the man. Our country and our Marine Corps will benefit greatly from his continued service.”

Since his commissioning in 1977, Dunford has served in multiple prestigious assignments including the Director of the Operations Division for Plans, Policies and Operations; Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force and the Commander of Marine Forces Central Command; and assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. He also served in three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with valor device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the NATO Medal.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.