Tanks. What are we gonna do with them?

I keep going back to the issue of Marine Tanks.

Going over the issue a few options came to mind.

1.  Divest ourselves completely of Tanks and revert to the Gulf War I example and simply attach US Army armor to our forces when we go against a heavy armor force.

2.  Follow the example of those that came before and develop an AmTank version of the AAV upgrade or ACV.  Low recoil guns are readily available and we don't have to repeat the mistake that the Army made with their Mobile Gun System.

3.  Substitute a dedicated Mobil Gun System for our tanks.  I've previously recommended the CV90-120 for that role.
4.  If the Marine Personnel Carrier Program continues then develop a version of that to fulfill the AmTank/MGS role.  My top two contenders Lockheed Martin Havoc and the BAE Super AV both are capable of mounting low recoil 120mm guns.
5.  Upgrade our standard M1A1's to the latest Army standard (I'm beginning to believe that this is cost prohibitive).

6.  Continue to operate the M1A1's as are...accept the risks and when facing large enemy tank forces depend on Marine Air to destroy them (I'm becoming more doubtful of this scenario...the USAF is big on stealing all air in theater it will take stronger leadership than I've seen currently to prevent that from happening in the future).

I don't know where the Marine Corps is with any of these issues.  Hopefully we'll never run into a procurement train wreck like we have now.  Again I'm repeating myself but we're waiting to buy...AH-1Z/UH-1Y, F-35, CH-53K, MV-22, JLTV, AAV Upgrade, ACV, MPC, M-16A4 upgrade, ACH helmets, G/ATOR radar and much more while dropping down to a planned force of 180,000 (and more probably...and its being planned for 150,000), upgrading SOCOM to a full 3 Battalions of MARSOC (AND a support battalion...plus recruiting/training) while being fiscally responsible.

The big chair in the Commandant's Office must feel like it full of needles....