Vision 2035 was originally scheduled to run in the Marine Corps Gazette as Part IV of a series of articles. Part I of the series (Preface or Introduction) was posted to the Gazette’s online edition on 29 November 2022, to be followed by Parts II (Concerns), III (Problem Solving), and IV (Vision 2035) on consecutive days. The editor had approved the articles for publication. They were formatted and ready to go. On the day Part II was to be published, the editor made the decision to cease publishing the remaining articles. During December 2022, Parts II, III, and IV were published in The National Interest on consecutive days.
The purpose of Parts II, III, and IV (often referred to as the “trilogy”) was to begin a transparent and inclusive discussion and debate inside the Marine Corps family for developing an operating concept that balances global response with modernization. This approach was not dissimilar from the discussions in the Gazette, Quantico schoolhouses, and other venues that led to the adoption of maneuver warfare as Marine Corps doctrine. But this time around, discussion and debate were essentially muted when the Gazette declined to publish the “trilogy” and the schoolhouses chose to ignore it.
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.
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.
Had this approach been followed five years ago, the Marine Corps would not have been hollowed out to chase the flavor of the month contingency.
I immediately went through the MEGA App process…..do not be fooled there is a Free option to download the books…the app steers you to a paid option bottom R …free. I downloaded and read the document. Hand salute to General Krulak and General Zinni and all that are saving Our Corps from Destruction! Let’s get real…..WAR IS GLOBAL IT IS HAPPENING NOW AND OUR CORPS IS NOT READY.
CP, BZ for sharing this. 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.
Thank you for sharing this. 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.
Just finished the first section of Vision 2035 (I am getting old and had to read it a couple times). Well done, gentlemen! Speaking of the advantages of the "Offense"...is there a way, method, mailing list, that Chowder 2 can get this first section into the hands of every congressional staffer on Capital Hill? Semper Fi
Would any of the authors behind Vision 2035 be willing to give an interview for my Substack? I am seeking a starting point for covering related topics.
The Combatant Commanders, if they were smart, should have established the global requirements for at least 5 amphibious MEUs (50 to 60 amphibious ships).
From AI: “There are more than one hundred ports of various types across the Gulf of Guinea region. However, the most significant seaports from the perspective of global shipping and maritime trade are: Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, Tema in Ghana, Lome in Togo, Cotonou in Benin Republic, Lagos, Warri, Onne, and Port Harcourt in Nigeria, Douala in Cameroon, Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, Port-Gentil in Gabon.
These ports play a crucial role in facilitating trade, transportation, and economic activities in the Gulf of Guinea region.”
Vision 2035 was originally scheduled to run in the Marine Corps Gazette as Part IV of a series of articles. Part I of the series (Preface or Introduction) was posted to the Gazette’s online edition on 29 November 2022, to be followed by Parts II (Concerns), III (Problem Solving), and IV (Vision 2035) on consecutive days. The editor had approved the articles for publication. They were formatted and ready to go. On the day Part II was to be published, the editor made the decision to cease publishing the remaining articles. During December 2022, Parts II, III, and IV were published in The National Interest on consecutive days.
The purpose of Parts II, III, and IV (often referred to as the “trilogy”) was to begin a transparent and inclusive discussion and debate inside the Marine Corps family for developing an operating concept that balances global response with modernization. This approach was not dissimilar from the discussions in the Gazette, Quantico schoolhouses, and other venues that led to the adoption of maneuver warfare as Marine Corps doctrine. But this time around, discussion and debate were essentially muted when the Gazette declined to publish the “trilogy” and the schoolhouses chose to ignore it.
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.
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.
Had this approach been followed five years ago, the Marine Corps would not have been hollowed out to chase the flavor of the month contingency.
I immediately went through the MEGA App process…..do not be fooled there is a Free option to download the books…the app steers you to a paid option bottom R …free. I downloaded and read the document. Hand salute to General Krulak and General Zinni and all that are saving Our Corps from Destruction! Let’s get real…..WAR IS GLOBAL IT IS HAPPENING NOW AND OUR CORPS IS NOT READY.
Compass Points should replace (or has replaced) the Gazette as the forum for Marine Corps professional discussions.
CP, BZ for sharing this. 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.
Thank you for sharing this. 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.
Just finished the first section of Vision 2035 (I am getting old and had to read it a couple times). Well done, gentlemen! Speaking of the advantages of the "Offense"...is there a way, method, mailing list, that Chowder 2 can get this first section into the hands of every congressional staffer on Capital Hill? Semper Fi
-Pre-2020 MG Employment: PICMDEEP
-FD 2030 MG Employment: P(recision munitions), U(nmanned Autonomous Systems), C(yber), S(pace)
-Vision 2035 MG Employment: PICMDEEP PUCS (why was that so difficult? -edit)
Would any of the authors behind Vision 2035 be willing to give an interview for my Substack? I am seeking a starting point for covering related topics.
Oops! An amphibious MEU might be a big help
I am betting that the AFRICOM Combatant Commander is wishing he had an amphibious MEU stationed in the Gulf of Guinea right about now.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/04/21/the-us-military-will-begin-plans-to-withdraw-troops-from-niger/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mil-ebb
The Combatant Commanders, if they were smart, should have established the global requirements for at least 5 amphibious MEUs (50 to 60 amphibious ships).
From AI: “There are more than one hundred ports of various types across the Gulf of Guinea region. However, the most significant seaports from the perspective of global shipping and maritime trade are: Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, Tema in Ghana, Lome in Togo, Cotonou in Benin Republic, Lagos, Warri, Onne, and Port Harcourt in Nigeria, Douala in Cameroon, Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, Port-Gentil in Gabon.
These ports play a crucial role in facilitating trade, transportation, and economic activities in the Gulf of Guinea region.”