Something abt the marine corp, based on reading of books like
"Making of the Corp" & "The March Up".
the corp is an exclusive society with its unique set of values and
culture quite different from its larger society (the US
military)... it's a culture where top enchelon generals still see
themselves as riflemen at heart... whether you are an aviator,
mechanic, storeman or tankee, you are a marine, and a marine is
essentially a rifleman. If you have read the writings of Bing West,
ex-marine and ex- US asst defense secretary and author of a bunch
of marine books, you will realize that they view themselves as
modern day 'roman legions" .
SAF, being a conscript force, is a reflection of it's larger
society and hence, those values. Unlike the Zahal or IDF, since
independence we never have to face neighbors hell-bent on our
destruction, hence the SAF evolved accordingly. If you look at the
top management of the zahal or even the country's highest political
office, there's a high proportion of them with spec warrior
background and experience. In the SAF, other then the 1st & 2nd
CDFs, SAF's chief executives have been premier scholars.
Having said that, getting the cream of the crop of our peacetime
society to run the SAF is not a bad thing - especially if we have
scholars who are devoted to the art of war fighting. Perhaps its
about getting the right people at the right time to do the right
thing. So if, God forbid, we ever have to wage a war of survival,
may a General Patton arise from SAF ranks!
