Compass Points - Combined Arms

Re-discovering combined arms

Compass Points - Combined Arms

Re-discovering combined arms

July 31, 2024

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There is a tool of immense power that the Marine Corps could use now.

Is this immensely powerful tool artificial intelligence? The Marine Corps recently announced that Marines would take part in a new artificial intelligence hub.

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An artificial intelligence hub led by the Department of the Air Force and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is opening its doors to Marine Corps participation, according to a Tuesday announcement.

Until recently, the only active-duty members of the military tapped to participate in the DAF-MIT AI Accelerator were airmen and guardians. However, two Marines have been selected to be part of the next cohort of so-called “Phantoms.” Over a five-month period, they will conduct research and be expected to ultimately produce a “publishable impact paper” about their work, according to a release.

-- DefenseScoop

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Artificial intelligence does have enormous potential. It is good that Marines are participating in the Air Force AI accelerator.  Beyond the future power of AI, however, there is a proven, powerful, and practical tool the Marine Corps needs to re-discover now. The Marine Corps needs to rediscover the power of combined arms.

The current Commandant of the Marine Corps speaking recently at the funeral for General Gray saluted FMFM-1 "Warfighting." The publication distilled the wisdom of General Gray and others into one timeless volume. The current Commandant said that "Warfighting" was still the foundation of the Marine Corps. In a similar way, in his Frag Order 01-2024, the current Commandant said, "MCDP-1 and Maneuver Warfare are ingrained in how we will fight . . . "

Are these just kind words? Or is it still true? Is the wisdom of "Warfighting" still at the heart of the Marine Corps?

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I expect every officer to read and reread this book, understand it, and take its message to heart. The thoughts contained here represent not just guidance for actions in combat, but a way of thinking in general. This manual thus describes a philosophy for action which, in war and in peace, in the field and in the rear, dictates our approach to duty.

-- General A.M. Gray, Foreword FMFM-1 "Warfighting"

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The updated edition of Warfighting says much the same thing.

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Very simply, this publication describes the philosophy which distinguishes the U.S. Marine Corps. The thoughts contained here are not merely guidance for action in combat but a way of thinking. This publication provides the authoritative basis for how we fight and how we prepare to fight.

-- General C.C. Krulak, Foreword MCDP-1 "Warfighting"

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While "Warfighting" is still read in the Marine Corps, it is doubtful that it still provides the "authoritative basis for how we fight and how we prepare to fight." The culmination of both versions of "Warfighting" is a specific approach to combat: combined arms.

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COMBINED ARMS

In order to maximize combat power, we must use all the available resources to best advantage. To do so, we must follow a doctrine of combined arms. Combined arms is the full integration of arms in such a way that to counteract one, the enemy must become more vulnerable to another. We pose the enemy not just with a problem, but with a dilemma—a no-win situation.

We accomplish combined arms through the tactics and techniques we use at the lower levels and through task organization at higher levels. In so doing, we take advantage of the complementary characteristics of different types of units and enhance our mobility and firepower. We use each arm for missions that no other arm can perform as well; for example, we assign aviation a task that cannot be performed equally well by artillery. An example of the concept of combined arms at the very lowest level is the complementary use of the automatic weapon and grenade launcher within a fire team. We pin an enemy down with the high-volume, direct fire of the automatic weapon, making them a vulnerable target for the grenade launcher. If they move to escape the impact of the grenades, we engage them with the automatic weapon.

We can expand the example to the MAGTF level: We use assault support aircraft to quickly concentrate superior ground forces for a breakthrough. We use artillery and close air support to support the infantry penetration, and we use deep air support to interdict enemy reinforcements that move to contain the penetration. Targets which cannot be effectively suppressed by artillery are engaged by close air support. In order to defend against the infantry attack, the enemy must make themselves vulnerable to the supporting arms. If they seek cover from the supporting arms, our infantry can maneuver against them. In order to block our penetration, the enemy must reinforce quickly with their reserve. However, in order to avoid our deep air support, they must stay off the roads, which means they can only move slowly. If they move slowly, they cannot reinforce in time to prevent our breakthrough. We have put them in a dilemma.

-- MCDP-1 "Warfighting"

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Compass Points congratulates the current Commandant for his words that emphasize the enduring importance of General Gray and General Krulak's "Warfighting." The culmination of "Warfighting" however, is combined arms, putting the enemy on the horns of a dilemma, not putting Marines on isolated islands.

For the last several years, the Marine Corps has turned its focus to small missile units isolated on Pacific islands. These Marine Littoral Regiment, Stand-in-Force units are not a combined arms force. They cannot put the enemy on the horns of a dilemma. They are defensive. They are a defensive, sit and sense force, not an offensive, combined arms force that can locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or repel the enemy assault by fire and close combat.

To be able to use combined arms on the battlefield, the Marine Corps must refocus on combined arms units, training, equipment, and capabilities. That requires a focus on combined arms, a commitment to combined arms, and a combined arms concept.

There is a tool of immense power the Marine Corps needs to use now. This immensely powerful tool is not artificial intelligence. It is combined arms.

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DefenseScoop - 07/30/2024

Marines get the green light to be ‘Phantoms’ at Air Force’s AI accelerator

By Jon Harper

https://defensescoop.com/2024/07/30/marines-phantoms-daf-mit-artificial-intelligence-accelerator/

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Marines.mil

MCDP-1 Warfighting

https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/MCDP%201%20Warfighting%20GN.pdf?ver=2019-01-31-110543-300