Compass Points – Discard Distractions
Focus on the Future of the Marine Corps
Not everyone wants to have substance discussions on substance topics. Some want to focus on shallow slogans and phrases, or on names and numbers of names, or imputing bad motives, complaining of hurt feelings, or focusing on personalities. All of these are nothing but one distraction after another created by people who do not want to engage on substance content: in this case, the concerns about FD 2030 and the merits of other approaches.
Years ago, John Boyd's famous OODA Loop and his other theories about the nature of conflict started with a population of one. He did not start in the majority. Boyd began as a minuscule minority. The issue about Boyd's thinking was never how many people agreed with him, or their names and backgrounds, but on the content of his message. The question was, had Boyd found a better way to look at conflict? Anyone who spent time imputing bad motives to Boyd, complaining that Boyd hurt their feelings, or other nonsense was just avoiding the substance of Boyd's work.
These are serious times. Marine leaders and friends of the Corps need to be discussing serious issues, not using theatrics and catchy but empty phrases to obfuscate the issues. An article in the Marine Corps Times spotlighted a recent presentation, sponsored by the Marine Corps Association, that missed an opportunity to engage in substantive discussion about the Marine Corps and national defense.
On December 7, 2022, the Marine Corps Times published an article by Lt General P.K. Van Riper USMC (ret) in which he responds to the speaker at the MCA presentation. That presentation attempted to provide support to Force Design 2030. Lt Gen Van Riper makes clear in his reply article that he finds the argument in support of FD 2030, as poorly constructed as FD 2030 itself. Lt Gen Van Riper did what the speaker failed to do. He presents a concise argument against the current concept, while offering the framework for a better vision, a better vision which Compass Points will share with its readers starting next week.
Marine Corps Times (marinecorpstimes.com) 12/07/2022
This is the Marine Corps Debate We Should be Having
By Lt General P.K. Van Riper
. . . Chief among Chowder II’s concerns is the unwise strategy of “divest to invest.” Other concerns are Force Design 2030′s almost exclusive focus on a single threat, in a known location and the Corps’ failure to use a rigorous combat development process to validate the concept.
We believe the Marine Corps should be focused instead on the uncertainties of global threats, which requires the ability to conduct offensive operations.
Our vision reduces risk to national security. By leveraging innovation, technology and the combat development process, the Marine Corps can regain its offensive capabilities, which will enable Marine forces to respond quickly and effectively anywhere in the world.
History informs us that wars are more quickly terminated when one side or the other maneuvers to achieve decisive results. Defensive operations are an invitation to a stalemate . . . .
. . . Chowder’s II vision for the Corps is a distinct alternative to Force Design 2030. A nation without the capability to respond globally to emerging threats risks wider wars, not only with peer competitors, but with a host of other state and nonstate state actors.
Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper (retired) is an infantry officer with prior enlisted service who led Marines at every level from a fire team to a division. He participated in combat during four tours.
Regarding the MC Gazette editorial board: General Ray Davis submitted an article describing the helicopter tactics he was instituting in the 3rd MarDiv in the Northern I Corps, 1967. Some weeks later the travel worn package appeared on his desk. In it, the Editor of the Gazette informed Davis that the article had been rejected by the Editorial Board. One of their comments stated, "Nothing new here!" That night General Davis called LtGen Buse, at that time C/S of the Corps. Shortly afterward, the article was printed. I share this vignette as an example of the sometime stilted thinking of the Editorial Board. Dick Camp, Davis' former aide de camp.
FD 2030 is NOT a concept but a singular TTP designed for ONE threat, ONE region, and based on ONE technology for long range precision fires. What is sad once DOD makes a mistake, DOD goes out of its way NOT to fix. As a result the Nation no longer has a force-in-readiness capable of responding along the entire spectrum of conflict.