Gary Anderson & Polar Bear, once again, hit the long ball. Oddly, as I was reading the Anderson piece, a remark by former POTUS, Bill Clinton, crossed my mind, to wit: “Let’s remember who the Super Power is around here.” Why that Blinding Flash of the Obvious (BFO) flashed before me, I can’t say. But, I do believe Mr. Clinton’s simple remark carried power with it, and the Anderson piece speaks to that needed capacity. Polar Bear’s piece added thoughtful analysis in separating rather romantic ideas from hard nose realities. Marines & Friends of Marines, our effort in returning to fighting trim must be global in character, to wit: “to the shores of Tripoli”, as well as being ready in the Pacific (thanks to Dr. Tom Huber). That calls for robustness. Remember: Military History must temper & inform our judgment.
We do not need a Commando, ninja type Marine Corps. We already have SOCOM for that (MARSOC, SEALS, Delta Force, Special Forces, Rangers, and AFSOC). We also do not need additional light infantry, since we have Army airborne, airmobile, and light infantry. In CMC Amos' Planning Guidance, he said the Marine Corps is "A middleweight force, we are light enough to get there quickly, but heavy enough to carry the day upon arrival...." What does a middleweight force mean (my answer is based upon the pre-FD Marine Corps)? While the Marine Corps is an infantry centric force, it has a substantial armored and mechanized component, with tanks, AAVs/ACVs and LAVs. The Marine Division has its own artillery regiment for robust fire support. With its own aviation component, infantry can be vertically inserted into the enemy's rear or flanks. All these elements, of the combined arms force (pre-FD) are built around a Marine infantry battalion, and are at sea ready for any contingency. While SOCOM is light and ninja like, they do not have the staying power of conventional ground forces. They are great at what they do: hit and run raids and making mischief. The middleweight, general purpose nature of the Marine Corps enables it to be infantry, mech, airmobile and amphibious. It is a versatile force with many capabilities. This is the real Marine Corps needed to fight a two front war, as argued by Gary Anderson..
It strikes me that the purpose of commandos is to support the modern-combined-arms effort. That commandos alone could replace modern-combined-arms operations is fantasy. Sooner or later the USMC will have to face the Chinese Goliath on Pacific shores, and it will need more than commandos.
The Marine Corps needs to return to its former stature. It's a designer force. That's why we had the various components to field a strike force and follow on force for various emergencys or conflicts.
Upgrades are always required but you don't remove or deplete without properly trained replacement of personal and equipment. Not wait for testing or brain farts.
I agree with this article. I do think there were two funerals on the day Gen. Al Gray was buried.
Although we can’t resurrect the General, we could do everything possible to resurrect the Marine Corps as was envisioned by Gen. Gray. We can resurrect the MAGTF and push the Marine Corps leadership to add to lethality to it to meet the current and emerging threat!
Gary Anderson & Polar Bear, once again, hit the long ball. Oddly, as I was reading the Anderson piece, a remark by former POTUS, Bill Clinton, crossed my mind, to wit: “Let’s remember who the Super Power is around here.” Why that Blinding Flash of the Obvious (BFO) flashed before me, I can’t say. But, I do believe Mr. Clinton’s simple remark carried power with it, and the Anderson piece speaks to that needed capacity. Polar Bear’s piece added thoughtful analysis in separating rather romantic ideas from hard nose realities. Marines & Friends of Marines, our effort in returning to fighting trim must be global in character, to wit: “to the shores of Tripoli”, as well as being ready in the Pacific (thanks to Dr. Tom Huber). That calls for robustness. Remember: Military History must temper & inform our judgment.
We do not need a Commando, ninja type Marine Corps. We already have SOCOM for that (MARSOC, SEALS, Delta Force, Special Forces, Rangers, and AFSOC). We also do not need additional light infantry, since we have Army airborne, airmobile, and light infantry. In CMC Amos' Planning Guidance, he said the Marine Corps is "A middleweight force, we are light enough to get there quickly, but heavy enough to carry the day upon arrival...." What does a middleweight force mean (my answer is based upon the pre-FD Marine Corps)? While the Marine Corps is an infantry centric force, it has a substantial armored and mechanized component, with tanks, AAVs/ACVs and LAVs. The Marine Division has its own artillery regiment for robust fire support. With its own aviation component, infantry can be vertically inserted into the enemy's rear or flanks. All these elements, of the combined arms force (pre-FD) are built around a Marine infantry battalion, and are at sea ready for any contingency. While SOCOM is light and ninja like, they do not have the staying power of conventional ground forces. They are great at what they do: hit and run raids and making mischief. The middleweight, general purpose nature of the Marine Corps enables it to be infantry, mech, airmobile and amphibious. It is a versatile force with many capabilities. This is the real Marine Corps needed to fight a two front war, as argued by Gary Anderson..
It strikes me that the purpose of commandos is to support the modern-combined-arms effort. That commandos alone could replace modern-combined-arms operations is fantasy. Sooner or later the USMC will have to face the Chinese Goliath on Pacific shores, and it will need more than commandos.
Amen, absolutely, to that observation!
The Marine Corps needs to return to its former stature. It's a designer force. That's why we had the various components to field a strike force and follow on force for various emergencys or conflicts.
Upgrades are always required but you don't remove or deplete without properly trained replacement of personal and equipment. Not wait for testing or brain farts.
I agree with this article. I do think there were two funerals on the day Gen. Al Gray was buried.
Although we can’t resurrect the General, we could do everything possible to resurrect the Marine Corps as was envisioned by Gen. Gray. We can resurrect the MAGTF and push the Marine Corps leadership to add to lethality to it to meet the current and emerging threat!
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/a-double-funeral/
Well said