No matter how crisp our uniforms are, or how sharp we look when we march to chow, we look like fools if we lose battles thanks to unpreparedness. With the integration of cyber, space, and UAS, the obligations for Marines to fight, shoot, hike, and swim are going to become more strenuous, not less.
The garrison cult will bristle at the sight of Marines foregoing what's traditional for the sake of what's practical, but the current and future operating environments demand a force that prioritizes hard training in the field, in pools, on the mats, and in the books, leaving less time for the cult's silly hobbies. Any time that could have been spent marching will be spent patrolling, time for rifle manual will become time for dry fire and gun drills, the swords will disappear as the bayonets return, and smoke pits will empty as the gyms and pools bustle with activity.
This is not an excuse to forego military discipline, but a revelation that professionalism, order, cleanliness, etc. must all be done to facilitate our preparation for war; a means to an end, not the end itself.
Original post and image from THE COGNITIVE RAIDER on Instagram. CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT
