12 things Marines can expect in 2010

[unhappycamper]

Marines can expect a busy year on the rifle range and more in 2010, which includes deploying nearly 20,000 Marines to Afghanistan by May.


12 things Marines can expect in 2010
Staff report
Posted : Sunday Jan 3, 2010 8:39:43 EST

Call it a year of renewed focus. The Marine Corps’ primary combat mission and deployments in 2010 all appear to be clear. A surge of 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, including 8,500 Marines, is underway, and the Corps expects to stand up an expanded command structure led by a two-star general based in Helmand province in the spring.

Nearly 20,000 Marines will be deployed to Afghanistan by May, but that still leaves more than 180,000 to conduct other business for the service, including training, the testing and acquisition of new gear and planning for the future. A look at what’s ahead in 2010:
1. A new commandant

By the time Marines gather to celebrate the Corps’ 235th birthday in 2010, they will see a new senior officer take the helm as commandant.

Gen. James Conway, who has served as the service chief since Nov. 13, 2006, will reach the end of his four-year term Nov. 13, 2010.

It’s too early for the names of possible replacements to be submitted to the Navy secretary, the first step in a nomination process that will ultimately be determined by President Barack Obama, but three senior officers already have emerged as leading contenders. Among the likely front-runners:


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/01/marines_ontap_010110w/