Compass Points - Cogent Comments
Vision 2035 in the spotlight
Compass Points - Cogent Comments
Vision 2035 in the spotlight
April 27, 2024
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The US is being challenged around the world by ongoing threats and conflicts. What will happen next? No one knows. No matter what happens, however, there is no doubt Compass Points readers will have insightful analysis and comment.
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Over the last week, Compass Points readers have responded online and off with a treasure load of comments, insights, and analysis. Only a few of the comments are re-posted below. Most of the full comments are available for reading on the Compass Points site. As always, comments have been edited for length and content. Several long, thoughtful comments have been reduced to just a sentence or two. Often the real enjoyment comes not as much from reading the excerpt included below but from reading the comment in full. Compass Points appreciates the full, insightful, and professional comments of all readers. Many thanks!
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The Wolf
General Berger claimed that the US Navy would not be able to operate inside of the Chinese weapons engagement zone (a term fraught with problems) because of that nation’s missile threat. The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke Destroyers have blown that claim right out of the water (no pun intended) as they have routinely downed Houthi drones and missiles now for weeks and as they did early Sunday morning helping protect Israel from the Iranian drone, and cruise and ballistic missile attack. We might note also, reportedly, US Air Force F-15Es performed equally well Sunday morning. So, it is obvious that what many said as the General divested combat capabilities from the Marine Corps’ inventory has been demonstrated—our nation doesn’t need Marines sitting on islands with Naval Strike Missiles waiting for Chinese ships to sail by when the US Navy and US Air Force can handle Chinese missile attacks inside the WEZ.
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Polarbear
Yep, General Berger guessed wrong and definitely took the wrong approach trading combat power for experimentation. His decision to trade tube artillery to develop HIMARS anti-ship missiles was a mistake. This effort is still in development along with the Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR). In actuality he tried to copy the CCP Area Denial strategy of placing missiles on islands in the South China Sea. Definitely not forward thinking.
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Richard M Cavagnol
Get rational members of Congress to review this Force Design, reallocate the money to rebuild the Marine Corps and amphibious shipping, and let's get on with the job of keeping America safe.
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Ray “Skip” Polak
Hard to support a MAGTF with ships like the BOXER!
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Polarbear
I am betting that the AFRICOM Combatant Commander is wishing he had an amphibious MEU stationed in the Gulf of Guinea right about now.
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Douglas C Rapé
You don’t destroy drones when they are inbound. You destroy where they are manufactured and where they deploy from. You destroy the parts to build them. You sabotage their circuitry. What does not arrive on the battlefield is key. You still need air defense for what does trickle on to the battlefield.
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Robert A Mosher
Yes, rate of consumption of drones on the battlefield has to synch with rate of production in the factory.
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Jerry McAbee
To be clear, Vision 2035 is not an operating concept; rather, it provides an intellectual foundation upon which an operating concept can be built. That concept could then be vetted through the Marine Corps Combat Development Process to determine requirements that best balance global response with modernization. Note: If rebalancing the MAGTF sounds familiar, it’s because one of the Commandant’s main priorities is to “balance global response with modernization.” General Smith should be applauded for making this decision.
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Polarbear
Just finished the first section of Vision 2035 (I am getting old and had to read it a couple times). Well done, gentlemen!
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Samuel Whittemore
I downloaded and read the Vision 2035. Hand salute to General Krulak and General Zinni and all that are saving Our Corps from destruction!
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Bud Meador
CP, BZ for sharing Vision 2035. Now we can put muscle back on the “skeleton”. It may be a long haul, but, the first step may have just been taken. Keep the ideas floating.
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medevicerep
Thank you for sharing Vision 20235. I will be downloading as well as purchasing the book as soon as it is available. As a proud member of Chowder Society II, I am happy to contribute in any way possible to save our beloved Corps.
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Charles Wemyss, Jr.
The fact is nobody has made a decent let alone compelling alternative to the MEU/MEB/MEF MAGTF concept. One need not hold their breath waiting for it either. In the meantime getting the MAGTF back to a position of full capability seems prudent. Further as documented here at CP, Vision 2025 gives clear guidance on a way forward.
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Don Whisnant
Compass Points should replace (or has replaced) the Gazette as the forum for Marine Corps professional discussions.
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Greg
Marines don’t hide their professional disagreements, whether in house or outside. That’s what makes our professional discussions fruitful and productive.
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Bud Meador
I think our open, frank - sometimes blunt - learning process & approach is what makes who we are. We are loaded with talent, officer & enlisted - use it!! The Krulak’s, Zinni’s, Conway’s, Van Riper’s & Anderson’s of the Corps are backed up by a legion of Marines who know their stuff, and can lead our change & healing process. Keep the ideas and concepts flowing! Semper Fi!
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cfrog
I think most Marine Officers really want to see the Corps bring the heat, especially with this generation. They are just swimming into an unfavorable currents and learning the hard way. I really think the opportunities over the next 3 years at the company grade and field grade level (not to mention our NCO and junior SNCOs) to have an impact on future force construction and doctrine level are unparalleled.
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Compass Points salutes all readers who in their own ways are continuing to build the discussion about a stronger Marine Corps.
All great articles.
The most basic Marine Corps mission and in my opinion the most important is:
“The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or repel the enemy assault by fire and close combat.”
The “close with” starts an CLNC, CamPen, and bases and stations World-Wide.
It does not matter what weapons we have if we cannot get the weapons within range.
We can’t even muster the Amphibious Shipping for a MEU besides the amphibious shipping for almost 2 MEBs in ODS. Yes, even then we had AE equipment loaded on commercial ships.
The US has so few ships (Combatants, MSC, and US Flagged Commercial) that like in the Revolutionary war we will have to pirate ships.
Oh and almost no US ship yards or tradesmen to man them.
As OUR General Gray would say take what you have and make what you need.
In the late 80’s, at the first LFTCLant LogO (0402) course, I was an LDO, EmbO instructor. I wrote a class on “Strategic Mobility.”
My last slide was:
“Strategic Mobility is the Marine Corps Achilles Heal.”
It was obvious then and maybe irreversible now.
Build Ships, Simple Seagoing Ships, lots of them, Reconstitute MPS, Forward Base Forces, retool US factories for Ammo, Weapons & Military Equipment.
Or build defensive positions in the US.
SteveB
LDO EmbO/SMO
McAbee nailed it. Stop the whining.