Praise for Marine Corps.

• Author: Aboul-Enein, Youssef H.
• Position: READERS' FORUM: VIEWS ... COMMENTS ... SUGGESTIONS - Letter to the editor

I read with great interest Kimberly Johnson's December 2008 article, "Marine Companies Win Praise, but Also More Responsibility," highlighting the Marine Corps shifting more authority to its company commanders and pushing responsibility to captains and lieutenants. It was also refreshing to see Mr. Goulding's comment of our collective responsibility to ensure they're equipped and trained for the mission. For the past several years I have had the privilege of teaching hundreds of active-duty and reserve personnel the intricacies and evolution of militant Islamist ideology. Highlighting the differences and challenges between militant Islamist groups and Islamist political groups, it reveals animosities among and within these groups. What interested me in your article is that the ranks of my audience now include sizable majorities of enlisted, non-commissioned officers, and junior officers, eager to immerse themselves in presentations that range from three hours to three days. What I observe traveling from base to base training personnel since 2002 reflects the Marine Corps' new guidelines for "enhanced company operations."

Youssef H. Aboul-Enein

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Hooray for Gen. Conway, USMC commandant's comments in your December 2008 article, "Marine Companies Win Praise, but Also More...