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Depends on what they're being sent to do and if they are armed or not.
If that is the plan, I applaud Trump.
Save your applause for Mattis. There’s no way Trump knows which troops would make the most sense and why.
And yet, President Trump is the CIC ... and you're not.
Trump sends 5,200 troops backed 150 miles of razor wire and Blackhawks, drones and C-130s in the air to the Mexican border to 'deter' caravan from ever arriving - as agents rehearse for riots in El PasoDaily Mail/UK, Oct 29, 2018The Pentagon is dispatching 5,200 active military troops to 'harden' the southern border and comply with President Donald Trump's order to deter an immigrant caravan the president called an 'invasion', it said Monday.Eight hundred troops were already en route Monday – a force the Defense Department is dramatically increasing by adding helicopter companies and engineers who are bringing 'heavy equipment.'In total DOD is sending 5,200 troops to 'harden' the border, the Pentagon said at a briefing Monday. 'We'll reinforce along priority points of entry so as to enhance [Border Patrol]’s ability to harden and secure the border,†said Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy Monday.The forces are 'just the start' of the operation,' he said. The 800 troops en route are in addition to the more than 2,000 members of the National Guard already providing assistance at the border now. Officials say the troops will provide "mission enhancing capabilities" and will be armed. 'We are bringing three helicopter companies in. They are enhanced with optics and censors that will allow them to operate at night and provide assistance to bring our [border patrol] personnel exactly where they need to be regardless of the conditions,' he said.The Pentagon says the added forces will be able to 'spot, identify groups and rapidly deploy' personnel as need.'The helicopters will ensure the agents can arrive in the most austere locations and fast-rope down and conduct and work the law enforcement activities,' said Gen. O'Shaughnessy.The dramatic dispatch of U.S. forces to the border comes just days before the off-year elections, with Democratic critics arguing Trump is using the perceived threat of the caravan to motivate his political base.According to the Pentagon forces will first build up in southern Texas and Arizona, then California.Priority will go to 'harden' points of entry. The engineering battalions have expertise in 'building temporary vehicle barriers, fencing and are bringing in heavy equipment,' according to the Pentagon. Among those ordered to the border will be military police, engineers, and Marines.The latest plans would have the Defense Department order 1,800 troops to Texas, 1,700 to Arizona, and 1,500 to California.The report noted that the contingent would exceed the U.S. forces currently in Syria and Iraq, and equal half of the U.S. deployment in Afghanistan. The new forces are expected to provide logistical assistance such as air support and equipment, including vehicles and tents. The influx of troops comes as the caravan is shrinking, although another is being formed.The caravan, which has had as many as 7,200 migrants, has dwindled to roughly 4,000. It took a day of rest in Tapanatepec on Sunday but vowed to press on to the U.S. border. The border is still at least 900 miles away, a daunting obstacle to migrants, many traveling with their families on foot.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6330911/Pentagon-says-5-000-troops-deploy-border-Friday-deter-immigrant-caravan.html
Some 5,200 US troops deploying to southern border in response to migrant caravan Fox News, Oct 29, 2018Roughly 5,200 U.S. troops will be deploying to the southern border in response to the migrant caravan pushing north through Mexico, U.S. officials told Fox News on Monday. “We'll reinforce along priority points of entry so as to enhance [Border Patrol]’s ability to harden and secure the border,†Air Force Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, head of U.S. Northern Command said at a news conference in Washington, D.C., adding that the deployment would be completed by the "end of this week." [...]There are three planned staging areas: in South Texas, Arizona and California, for what's now been dubbed Operation Faithful Patriot. The mission's U.S. ground commander is Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, who was sent to Puerto Rico last year to lead Hurricane Maria relief efforts.The troops are coming from military posts including Fort Bragg, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fort Stewart, Fort Campbell, Fort Riley and Fort Knox. The deployment includes three medium-lift helicopter companies with night vision equipment. O'Shaughnessy added that 22 miles of barbed wire already had been sent to the southern border and Air Force C-130s and other cargo planes would be used to deliver additional Border Patrol personnel.President Trump, meanwhile, has called for the caravan to turn back and warned its members that the military “is waiting for you!†https://www.foxnews.com/politics/5000-troops-deploying-to-us-mexico-border-in-response-to-migrant-caravan
One of the women they interviewed on Fox news also mentioned that medical personal would be part of the troops deployed there and that field hospitals would be set up to treat the incoming horde. So bleep wonderful.
I didn't hear that in the DOD news conference.
The reputation of the CBs is good, I understand. It depends on what they are willing to deploy in defense of the country. Barbwire? Concertina? Jersey Barriers?
CBs?
Seabees?
From what I've read, they're mostly engineers and military policemen. IMO, that's far preferable to deploying several infantry battalions. MP's are trained in riot control and law enforcement, and the engineers can be used to construct additional barriers. It will allow the Border Patrol and ICE to do their jobs unfettered.If that is the plan, I applaud Trump.
I haven't seen anything about the Navy going there.
Just remember the Dept of the Navy is not constrained by the Posse Comitatus Act. Neither is the Coast Guard.
