USMC Commander nixes Marine Ball – Hints at major event?
USMC Commander Cancels Annual Marine Ball – Is Something Big Underway?
Confusion, consternation, and all manner of speculation are running amok this week over what the Marine Corps decided to do — or, more accurately, decided not to do.
According to an ominous Tuesday report from the Marine Corps Times, the Marine Corps arm of U.S. Central Command has decided to cancel its annual birthday ball.
There are two important things to keep in mind regarding this decision.
First and foremost, and this can’t be understated, Marines love their celebratory balls. It’s “an evening to honor the history and legacy of the Marine Corps and the accomplishments of the Marines,” according to the Corps’ website.
Anyone who has served or has relatives who’ve served, or is currently serving, can attest to this soft spot that virtually every Marine appears to have.
Second, and perhaps far more disconcertingly, U.S. Central Command, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is a unified combatant command that specifically oversees central Asia — and the Middle East.
And as long as you haven’t been living under a rock in the last month or so, you are also painfully aware that things are not well in the Middle East. Israel is at war with Hamas terrorists following their bloody and barbaric invasion of the Jewish state on Oct. 7.
Given that logical extension, many prognosticators took this birthday ball cancellation as a sign that something big and something bad was imminent.
Not helping matters, Maj. Gen. Chris McPhillips seemingly confirmed that something was going on, even if he wouldn’t offer any more specifics when he announced this decision on Wednesday.
“Regretfully and with a strong sense of duty, I write to inform you of a decision that I had to make regarding the Marine Corps 248th Ball, scheduled for 16 November 2023,” McPhillips announced Wednesday, per Military.com, in a since-scrubbed message on the X social media platform.
“Due to unforeseen operation commitments and the nature of our current mission, it is with great regret that we must cancel this year’s event,” the general said.
In an email to the Times on Wednesday, Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Joe Wright said, “Because of the uncertain situation, the MARCENT [Marine Corps Forces Central Command] Commander wants to avoid a last-minute cancellation that would burden Marines, families, veterans, and members of the community with trying to recoup money from ticket sales, reservations, etc.”
Wright said the message was removed from X and posted to Facebook “because the audience it’s trying to reach — of current and former members of the unit, family members and the larger Tampa community — is located on Facebook.”
The post on the MARCENT page on Facebook had different wording but the same message:
A cursory X search of “CENTCOM Ball” yielded a number of very concerned responses to the news:
As to what this could portend, this writer dares not speculate given the gravity of the situation. But it’s safe to say it could be bloody, it won’t be good, it’ll likely be very costly and it’ll probably be taking place in the Middle East — directly.
As one final reiteration to drive this home: Marines love their celebratory balls. It’s a point of pride and something other branches simply don’t replicate at this scale or grandeur. Given that the only other times that these balls have been canceled were during the height of the COVID-19 hysteria, this seemingly trivial decision to cancel a celebration is anything but that.
The CENTCOM Marine Corps birthday ball was slated for Nov. 16.
The Marines’ actual “birthday” is Nov. 10.
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The post USMC Commander Cancels Annual Marine Ball – Is Something Big Underway? appeared first on The Western Journal.
What factors prompted the Marine Corps to make the decision to cancel the birthday ball and what undisclosed situation is Major General Chris McPhillips hinting at
S point home, the cancellation of the Marine Corps annual birthday ball has raised eyebrows and ignited speculation about potentially significant events on the horizon. The decision to cancel this cherished event is not one that was taken lightly, and it has left many wondering what exactly is happening behind the scenes.
First and foremost, it is crucial to understand the significance of the Marine Corps birthday ball for Marines. This celebratory evening is an opportunity to honor the rich history and impressive accomplishments of the Corps. The bond formed among Marines during their service is enduring, and the birthday ball is a cherished tradition that reinforces that bond. It is a chance for current and former Marines, as well as their families and friends, to come together and celebrate the values and ethos that make the Marine Corps unique.
Secondly, the fact that the Marine Corps, specifically the U.S. Central Command, has made the decision to cancel the ball raises concerns. The U.S. Central Command, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, has jurisdiction over central Asia and the Middle East. Given the current turmoil in the Middle East, with Israel engaged in conflict with Hamas terrorists, the cancellation of the birthday ball has led to speculation that something significant and potentially negative is imminent.
Adding fuel to the fire, Major General Chris McPhillips, in announcing the decision, hinted at the existence of an undisclosed situation but did not elaborate further. This lack of transparency has only fueled the speculations and theories circulating among observers and experts.
The decision to cancel the event was not made haphazardly. Marine Corps spokesman Captain Joe Wright clarified that it was prompted by unforeseen operational commitments and the uncertainty surrounding the current mission. By canceling the event ahead of time, the Marine Corps aimed to prevent last-minute cancellations that would burden Marines, their families, veterans, and the wider community with financial losses from ticket sales and reservations.
Despite the removal of the original announcement from X social media platform, the message was reposted on Facebook to ensure it reached the intended audience of current and former members of the unit, their families, and the Tampa community. The underlying message remained the same: this year’s event had to be canceled due to the uncertain situation.
The cancellation of the Marine Corps birthday ball has raised concerns, but it is important to remember that speculation should be tempered with caution. While the gravity of the situation may suggest potential dire implications, it is impossible to know for certain what lies ahead. What is clear, however, is that the decision to cancel such a beloved event is not to be taken lightly and should give pause to those paying attention.
As the Marine Corps continues to navigate the complexities of its operational commitments, the cancellation of the birthday ball serves as a reminder that duty sometimes requires sacrifices and adjustments. The hope remains that whatever challenges lie ahead for the Marine Corps and the region it oversees, they are resolved swiftly and without further loss.
For now, all eyes remain on the Middle East, waiting and watching for further developments that may shed light on the reasons behind the cancellation of this significant Marine Corps event.
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