The 6.8 was the brain child of a few who realized with the media watching the Iraq conflict something could be done to change the poor CQC effectiveness of the 5.56, something that has become more commonplace than most know. Marine Exp. forces have adopted the Kimber Elite II 1911, Seal Team 6 and 8 have adopted the Sig 226 in 40. Cal altough we have always had the Sig 226 it was in 9MM previous and still is in the fixed silincer. Additionally we have had the M1 Special 7.62 for jungle and M14 for Alpine combat. M16 in 5.56 was and is a great large force round for persons who haven't shot all there life or rarely shoot, light recoil and can send large amount of downrange. Troops can carry large amounts of ammo and it is cheep to manufacture, it was adopted for the Cold War and the phelosphy of bankrupting the USSR. I could go on but I won't.