One should not trust that “one trick pony.” Either we are a robust capability COCOMS (and, the American people) can rely on for heavy combat action, or we’re not. I really think it is as simple as that. We need to put muscle back on the skeleton. The good news is that we have bright people to do just that, plus the added blessing of many senior officers in our retired community who have answers to our many questions. Press on. Semper Fi!
My simple reply – “Trust must be earned, and actions which undermine trust must meet with strict censure.” FMFM 1; 1989; p. 45
And now we have two Commandant’s who missed the trust part of the US Marine Corps “Warfighting” Doctrine.
General Berger’s and Smith’s real sin is they missed a golden opportunity to establish the US Marine Corps senior leadership as the best strategic thinkers in the Department of Defense. General Berger could have stood up and stated the “island chain strategy” is not a military strategy. He could have stood and stated that any war with the CCP would be a global war and our military strategy needs to recognize that simple assumption. A global war at any time, now or in the immediate future, will be a war over the control of SLOCs.
He could have stated, what the CCP fears most is the strategic mobility of the US Military and our ability to utilize the joint and combined arms forces. The CCP strategically recognizes it is essential that they keep the Chinese people working and fed. They also recognize and fear the fact that every Chinese Dynasty in its history began its fall from internal descent.
He could have stated, a key part of that US strategic mobility is the US Marine Corps and US Navy’s ability to project sustainable combat power globally. Yes, our US Navy amphibious capacity has atrophied during two 20 year wars that we have won tactically but lost strategically. The lack of amphibious shipping is denying all Combatant Commands the availability of the full combat capability of the US Marine Corps. Let’s make sure that our military and political leadership focuses on that issue. Let’s ensure that the US Marine Corps, as the “first in” 911 force, has the capacity to not only fight as a MAGTF but also to coordinate the Combatant Commanders Joints Force as it is allocated and deployed into their AOR.
Yep, a missed opportunity due to a lack of trust in US Marine Corps War Fighting Doctrine and its amphibious instincts. Two Commandants apparently missed the leadership class that stated TRUST MUST BE EARNED. Semper Fi
The “Eagle, Globe and Anchor” is not the “Eagle, Indo Pacom and Anchor” . Marine Regiments, Artillery Regiments, Engineer Battalions, and Tank Battalions etc. become a Marine Division. The Ground Combat Element of a Marine Expeditionary Force is not several Marine Littoral Regiments. Why would you trust a One Trick Pony?
The CMC is surprised that many Marines active and retired do not trust? Good heavens. Darn right I do not trust the General and did not trust his secretive and evasive predecessor. Trust is achieved through integrity and good judgment. I found both were lacking.
This will likely shock you Phil; I personally know one COCOM who while General Berger was Commandant gave up asking for Marines because of the unwillingness to interrupt Force Design 2030 efforts to support the joint community. Always appeared to me that our former CMC did not understand the purpose of the Goldwater-Nichols Act. Even if COCOMs ask for Marines today they do not have the amphibious ships to get there nor the MPF ships to provide sustainment. General Berger destroyed the Corps you speak about.
One should not trust that “one trick pony.” Either we are a robust capability COCOMS (and, the American people) can rely on for heavy combat action, or we’re not. I really think it is as simple as that. We need to put muscle back on the skeleton. The good news is that we have bright people to do just that, plus the added blessing of many senior officers in our retired community who have answers to our many questions. Press on. Semper Fi!
Absolutely!
“lack of trust”?
My simple reply – “Trust must be earned, and actions which undermine trust must meet with strict censure.” FMFM 1; 1989; p. 45
And now we have two Commandant’s who missed the trust part of the US Marine Corps “Warfighting” Doctrine.
General Berger’s and Smith’s real sin is they missed a golden opportunity to establish the US Marine Corps senior leadership as the best strategic thinkers in the Department of Defense. General Berger could have stood up and stated the “island chain strategy” is not a military strategy. He could have stood and stated that any war with the CCP would be a global war and our military strategy needs to recognize that simple assumption. A global war at any time, now or in the immediate future, will be a war over the control of SLOCs.
He could have stated, what the CCP fears most is the strategic mobility of the US Military and our ability to utilize the joint and combined arms forces. The CCP strategically recognizes it is essential that they keep the Chinese people working and fed. They also recognize and fear the fact that every Chinese Dynasty in its history began its fall from internal descent.
He could have stated, a key part of that US strategic mobility is the US Marine Corps and US Navy’s ability to project sustainable combat power globally. Yes, our US Navy amphibious capacity has atrophied during two 20 year wars that we have won tactically but lost strategically. The lack of amphibious shipping is denying all Combatant Commands the availability of the full combat capability of the US Marine Corps. Let’s make sure that our military and political leadership focuses on that issue. Let’s ensure that the US Marine Corps, as the “first in” 911 force, has the capacity to not only fight as a MAGTF but also to coordinate the Combatant Commanders Joints Force as it is allocated and deployed into their AOR.
Yep, a missed opportunity due to a lack of trust in US Marine Corps War Fighting Doctrine and its amphibious instincts. Two Commandants apparently missed the leadership class that stated TRUST MUST BE EARNED. Semper Fi
The “Eagle, Globe and Anchor” is not the “Eagle, Indo Pacom and Anchor” . Marine Regiments, Artillery Regiments, Engineer Battalions, and Tank Battalions etc. become a Marine Division. The Ground Combat Element of a Marine Expeditionary Force is not several Marine Littoral Regiments. Why would you trust a One Trick Pony?
The CMC is surprised that many Marines active and retired do not trust? Good heavens. Darn right I do not trust the General and did not trust his secretive and evasive predecessor. Trust is achieved through integrity and good judgment. I found both were lacking.
What is missing on the skeleton? What one trick pony are you referring to? Are you suggesting the COCOMs are not asking for Marines?
This will likely shock you Phil; I personally know one COCOM who while General Berger was Commandant gave up asking for Marines because of the unwillingness to interrupt Force Design 2030 efforts to support the joint community. Always appeared to me that our former CMC did not understand the purpose of the Goldwater-Nichols Act. Even if COCOMs ask for Marines today they do not have the amphibious ships to get there nor the MPF ships to provide sustainment. General Berger destroyed the Corps you speak about.
MLRs are not Marine Regiments.