Commandant: USMC Modernization Is Ebbing: The US Marine Corps' top general told lawmakers that the service's modernization account is "lower than it has been historically," and at 9 percent of his total budget, it is "one of my greatest concerns."
In testimony at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Gen. Joseph Dunford defended the service's procurement strategy for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, discussed potential ammunition shortfall downrange and the possibility of upgrading individual weapons. Dunford fretted his modernization account had fallen below an optimal 12 percent of the service's budget.
"That is actually is one of my greatest concerns," Dunford said, in response to a question from Sen. Jodi Ernst, R-Iowa. "Today, I think we're doing a pretty good job resetting our capabilities to the fight we had yesterday, but I'm not satisfied we're investing in capabilities we need for the fight tomorrow."
With top Navy officials who testified, Dunford lamented budget instability and sequestration cuts as the Marine Corps juggles a strategic pivot to the Pacific, its presence — albeit diminished — in Afghanistan and the burgeoning fight against the Islamic State group.
