Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit

Rating:
Summary: A solid look at a special Marine unit
Review: "Marine" is one of a series of Clancy's nonfiction books about particular groups of note in the U.S. military. In this book he surveys what it means to be a U.S. Marine, which he calls the best general-purpose troops in the world. In particular, he examines the MEU (SOC) - a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) - a team of Marines and naval amphibious ships that can be among the first major American military groups to arrive at a trouble spot in force.
Specifically, Clancy covers the history, training, weapons, tools and transportation of a MEU (SOC), plus an excellent and insightful look at actual group training and deployment. The uniquely Clancy contribution, however, is that he was able to get an interview with the then-Commandant of the Marine Corps, and adds two short stories on how a MEU (SOC) could work in a hypothetical conflict.
Overall, this is an extensive look at a particularly important type of Marine unit without being dry or dull. Note that Clancy doesn't provide a truly in-depth look at the Corp's history, and I found the description of ships and vehicles to be on the long side sometimes and wanted more info on basic and specialized Marine training, but it's a solid edition to any collection of military nonfiction.

Rating:
Summary: A solid look at a special Marine unit
Review: "Marine" is one of a series of Clancy's nonfiction books about particular groups of note in the U.S. military. In this book he surveys what it means to be a U.S. Marine, which he calls the best general-purpose troops in the world. In particular, he examines the MEU (SOC) - a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) - a team of Marines and naval amphibious ships that can be among the first major American military groups to arrive at a trouble spot in force.
Specifically, Clancy covers the history, training, weapons, tools and transportation of a MEU (SOC), plus an excellent and insightful look at actual group training and deployment. The uniquely Clancy contribution, however, is that he was able to get an interview with the then-Commandant of the Marine Corps, and adds two short stories on how a MEU (SOC) could work in a hypothetical conflict.
Overall, this is an extensive look at a particularly important type of Marine unit without being dry or dull. Note that Clancy doesn't provide a truly in-depth look at the Corp's history, and I found the description of ships and vehicles to be on the long side sometimes and wanted more info on basic and specialized Marine training, but it's a solid edition to any collection of military nonfiction.

Rating:
Summary: What will Tom Clancy think of next
Review: After hearing about this book, I finally chose to read it. However, the circumstances in which i read were unusual. I am currently attached to the 31st MEU(SOC) on Okinawa, Japan, and i read this book on the USS Fort McHenry. We were underway from Crocodile '99, and exercise we do in australia. And i must say, even though i am a Marine infantryman/marksmanship/MOUT/weapons instructor this book opened my eyes. It is amazing what a MEU is capable of. It is the answer to Congress' prayers for a cost effective, easily depolyable, powerful, and flexible tool to secure the United States' foreign policies. I'd like to thank Tom Clancy for a job well done, and I would have to agree with one of my fellow Marines when i say this would make an awesome movie. Semper Fi!

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding.......as usual!
Review: As a crewman of the USS WASP (LHD-1), I found this book very accurate in his description of the MEU. I was onboard the WASP during the research portion of the book, and was able to meet Tom. Probably the most exciting events for me to this day. I am so facinated with his attention to detail. Keep up the good work Tom! I can't wait to see what is next! Michael

Rating:
Summary: interservice rivalry and jealousy
Review: As an unbiased reader of Clancy's Marine, I found the very informative and stimulating. Unfortunately, I am disappointed by the interservice rivalry I see surfacing in the large volume of wind generated by pro-army haters who post reviews on this site. The Marines carry out a very important function as a segment of the United States armed forces. Their mission is much different than that of the army, and thus I see the anti-Marine Corps reviews as potentially misleading. Yes, the army is undoubtedly much larger than the Marine Corps. A force is required to make up for in sheer size and firepower what is lacks in training and efficiency. Some would have the reader belive that the Corps is outdated and unnecessary. However, the unique function that the Marine Corps serves debunks this argument. An MEU(SOC) proves a very effective and capable fighting force. Completely integrated and self sufficient (with its own infantry, artillery, armor and air support), the MEU proves hard on logistics officers, but has the Marines potent enough to engage in combat without getting pinned down, and needing someone like the UN to come and rescue them. A perfect example of Marine Corps excellence can be found in the ground war during Desert Storm. During the conflict Marines were actually ordered to SLOW their advance through the Iraqi ranks because they were so badly outpacing the army units who fought beside them. As the Marines bulldozed their way through the Republican Guard (literaly), their greatest danger was not from Iraqi bullets, but from the friendly fire of the army units that were falling so far behind. finally, satellites can just as easily track the massed movement of army troop as they can the movement of Naval vessels. The fact that the rest of the world knows where the Marines are might be as big a deterrent as the torrent of destruction they are capable of raining down. Stop the petty interservice rivalry and jealousy. Give credit where credit is due. Semper Fi.

Rating:
Summary: Another great work by Mr. Clancy.
Review: As with the other volumes in this non-fiction series, Mr. Clancy hits the mark for detail, accuracy, and scope when describing different segments of the American military in a way that both military and civilian types can understand and enjoy. The Marines are a fine force and this aptly describes their magnificent capabilities and character. The only correction I could suggest deals with the comparison of the Marine markmenship with their Army brethern. While the Marine Corps basic markmenship training is impressive and unmatched, the Army trains it's basic recruits to engage targets with an M16 at ranges as close as 50 meters to as far 350 meters not 100 yards as in the book. We would not want Mr. Clancy to lose any of his loyal fans and readers from the Army. The book is a great read, with highly detailed accounts of the Marine support structure rarely seen in print. The book shows the value of both the individual Marine doing his job and the team spirit needed in such a multi-purpose force. Highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book For Your Library!!!!
Review: Clancy gives a good synoposis of the United States Marine Corps, e.g., their training, equipment, and an example of their military exercise in a real world situation. In addition, he presents two fictional story about how the Marine Expeditionary Unit would operate in a real military situation.

Rating:
Summary: Informative and well written
Review: Despite of what a few isolated army airbore loonies might claim this book is quite informative and gives a good account of the most active section of our military today.
The Marine Corps continues to serve it's purpose and this book describes the most media-visible aspect of it.
If the army spent less time figuring out new recruiting slogans and new ways to prove the USMC "obsolete" instead of adapting to the current world reality like the other 3 branches have then perhaps they would not need to feel the need to steal the spotlight so much.
If all the fancy slogans and beret hand outs continue to attract people like the reviewer a couple of posts down I fear for the army's future.

Rating:
Summary: A must buy for military enthusiasts
Review: For anybody who is interested in The military or the marine corps, this is a must buy. I used to think twice about being a marine, but now i am definetly going to join.

Rating:
Summary: A Marine Corps for the next 500 years!
Review: I enjoyed reading this book and view this as a prized addition to my military book collection. Also as a Marine (77-81) I'd recommend this book to anybody who is interested in the Marine Corps or the U.S. military in general. While I've been a long time fan of Clancy's "techno thriller" fiction work. I feel that in reading some of his other informative nonfiction books of this series like Armored Cav, Submarine & Fighter Wing - he seems to focus more on the equipment & tactics. But in Marine (as Clancy himself points out) that while the equipment is no less sophisticated (in some cases coming off of the same procurement shelves) the Corps effectiveness has always been the result of the quality of it's People. Along with an in-depth view of the MEU (SOC), Marine gives a good overview of the development of the individual. I feel that this book truly captured the essence of what it means to be a Marine. Semper Fi!