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Did US Marines really surrender to Royal Marines in exercise?
Recently, Exercise Green Dagger was conducted in the Mojave desert of California. Reports soon emerged that US Marines were handily defeated by British Royal Marine Commandos in a large training scenario. The US Marine Corps initially kept silent, but recently issued a statement to the Military Times. As details unfold, the specifics of the event take on more intrigue.
Recently, Exercise Green Dagger was conducted in the Mojave desert of California.
Capt. Zachary Colvin stated, “During this exercise, a U.S. Marine Regiment augmented with subordinate units formed an adversary force to actively challenge and test a peer regiment of U.S. Marines.”
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From what can be gathered, it would seem a group of Royal Commandos, under the leadership of a US Marine commander, and paired with US Marines assets, inflicted high simulated causalities on another peer US Marine unit. Planners allegedly intended for casualties to be high, so the “reset” was expected to take place at some point, if not so early.
Also, no US Marine “raised their hand in surrender,” but leaders present decided a reset held more training value than continuing the scenario, which could be considered “tapping out.”
Witnesses weigh in
Several US Marines agreed to speak with Pop Smoke Media under the condition their identity be withheld. Several stated no “official” winner was declared, but the after action brief leaned towards the side with the Royal, American, and Dutch Marines.
One of these anonymous US Marines admitted their unit was “decimated” by the Royal Marines, but also wanted to make it clear the Royal Marines were working with other US Marines in the process. Although, they did admit their unit “lost” despite advantages in both equipment and air support.
A separate US Marine who works in advisory safety role stated that “commanders make battles,” and the US Marine commander used his attachment of Royal Marines with surgical precision. Adding that this was more an example of a US Marine officer outperforming another. Rather than an unassisted victory for the Commandos.
The general consensus among all the anonymous sources agreed that the Commandos preformed exceptionally, but the result would have different if not for the US Marines the were assisted by.
Training with Royal Marines
It is also worth noting that Royal Marines are an elite unit in the British Navy. They routinely train with US Marines to “sharpen the blade”. Also, an investigation by Forbes indicated the “defeat” may not have been as dramatic as certain British outlets initially portrayed it as.
Either way, it will be a good learning moment for all involved, and we are lucky to have the opportunity to work with such great allies.
