The analogy of the world’s precious Antimony with the diminishing role of the MAGTF and its impact on our national defense couldn’t be more explicit.
Why does the active leadership in our Corps continue to ascribe to the Force 2030 philosophy and courses of action that defy logic and common sense? The Marine Corps has been relegated to a menial role in the overall military defense scheme, not only incapable of performing its traditional Title X responsibilities, but unable to maintain a consistent MEU presence in most troubled spots of the world.
Other than Compass Points, where is the dialogue, debate, discussion, or arguments (by our Marine leadership) for or against Force 2030? I don’t see it in Leatherneck or any other military journals! Why is this discourse suppressed or obviated at a time when the Corp’s combat capabilities have been significantly depleted and/or divested? To what end? Seven cannon batteries for an entire U.S Marine Corps? Really!! No Tanks, virtually no Combat Engineering, no MP’s, 1/3 reduction in Assault Amphibs, and over 20% reduction in Infantry??? And more! What have we done to our national defense?
Rescuing the Marine Corps from its dwindling self must start within — with its senior leadership acknowledging its diminished abilities and willing to restore both logic and common sense that has been a casualty of Force 2030. That same venue should also open a dialogue among all to support/defend it or lay out a course for a new direction for the Corps. Simultaneously, our leadership should join others (lawmakers and friends of Marines) to take certain initiatives to restore, upgrade, and expand the Marine Corps’s global, combined arms, crisis response MAGTFs. Our US National Defense depends upon it! The U.S. Marine Corps future depends upon it! Semper Fi!
As to a professional discourse, it is unlikely to occur in the traditional places such as Marine Corps Gazette and Marine Corps University for many reasons. One is the refusal of the Gazette Editor to publish articles from those of us who oppose Force Design 2030 though he has falsely stated otherwise. Another is the banning of retired officers who oppose Force Design 2030 from speaking at MCU; I have an email from the president of MCU saying I don’t have the” expertise” to speak there. Of note, the server at Quantico blocks Compass Points, so anyone who tries to read what we write from a dot mil address isn’t able to reach the link.
Sorry to hear, sir! This is totally unprofessional and quite frankly unethical. The blocking of certain publications and cheating from highly decorated and experienced Marines is antithesis of the freedom of speech we spent decades defending! What is the MCU and MCA afraid of?
General, it almost sounds like HQMC is afraid of hearing the truth. I always thought free flow of info was good for knowing all possibilities and making informed decisions.
Lynn, the Gazette and the MCU are the right venues for discussing and debating the pros and cons of Force Design and the alternatives for a better path forward. Those of us who want to see FD replaced by a more forward-looking concept informed by Vision 2035 would welcome the debate.
1. What people say is immaterial. What people do is the best indicator of true intent.
2. National Defense is so much more than the Department of Defense. It is a national issue that criss crosses everything we do. Education is national defense. 300,000 Chinese students at US Universities is a defense issue. Petro Chemical, Agriculture, industrial base, infra structure, youth physical fitness, high tech industry, critical minerals and chemicals, export policy, research, development and acquisition, cultural standards, immigration, national health, strategic stockpiles, transportation, diplomacy, entertainment, sports, commercial shipping and aviation policy are all defense related. Who coordinates and directs these efforts? Something as simple as stockpiling critical minerals seem to be too hard to grasp. We can’t even refill the National Petroleum Stockpile or build up critical medical resources.
3. Our Corps, seeking to be cutting edge and lethal engaged in a series of miscalculations that made it virtually irrelevant. Change is certain. The right change is another matter. While history champions change that ushered in victory the failures of change are relegated to the dusty back shelves. When change agents dismiss their critics as “resistant to change” you know they cannot debate the merits of the change they champion. So it was the day FD-20XX was spawned in secrecy with threats and subterfuge. The very process of implementation was an indicator as to its value. It could not stand up to the scrutiny of professional analysis. It could not stand up to scrutiny and leaned on trying to discredit the well meaning and experienced like Gen Gray and countless professional SNCOs, Officers and Generals.
Today we are facing a narrow window to rebuild, reform and once again make the Marine Corps a globally relevant MAGTF. Failure to do so will result in a catastrophic impact with Congressional funding priorities and extinction.
China is a toxic trading partner. All of its trade is strategic not commercial. We should phase out all trade with China, no raw materials or food out, and no industrial products in. The phase-out should be persistent and orderly, say completed over seven years.
As for the antimony, we should immediately develop other mines, in the US preferably or in reliable areas offshore. And/or develop production methods that use materials other than antimony. Any dependency on China is a noose the CCP will not hesitate to draw tight.
The vital elements that were divested required brains, brawn, dedication to excellence, supervision and relentless training. Characteristics these pretenders have not demonstrated…They seem lazy and without the traits always associated with Marines.
Of course, it’s easier and less stressful to play at special operations and gimmickry. When nothing is actually being done, there are no accidents or incidents that might negatively affect careers. They can always stay in a transition mode and “look to the future”. How in the world did we get to this point? Semper Fi
Lynn Stuart
The analogy of the world’s precious Antimony with the diminishing role of the MAGTF and its impact on our national defense couldn’t be more explicit.
Why does the active leadership in our Corps continue to ascribe to the Force 2030 philosophy and courses of action that defy logic and common sense? The Marine Corps has been relegated to a menial role in the overall military defense scheme, not only incapable of performing its traditional Title X responsibilities, but unable to maintain a consistent MEU presence in most troubled spots of the world.
Other than Compass Points, where is the dialogue, debate, discussion, or arguments (by our Marine leadership) for or against Force 2030? I don’t see it in Leatherneck or any other military journals! Why is this discourse suppressed or obviated at a time when the Corp’s combat capabilities have been significantly depleted and/or divested? To what end? Seven cannon batteries for an entire U.S Marine Corps? Really!! No Tanks, virtually no Combat Engineering, no MP’s, 1/3 reduction in Assault Amphibs, and over 20% reduction in Infantry??? And more! What have we done to our national defense?
Rescuing the Marine Corps from its dwindling self must start within — with its senior leadership acknowledging its diminished abilities and willing to restore both logic and common sense that has been a casualty of Force 2030. That same venue should also open a dialogue among all to support/defend it or lay out a course for a new direction for the Corps. Simultaneously, our leadership should join others (lawmakers and friends of Marines) to take certain initiatives to restore, upgrade, and expand the Marine Corps’s global, combined arms, crisis response MAGTFs. Our US National Defense depends upon it! The U.S. Marine Corps future depends upon it! Semper Fi!
As to a professional discourse, it is unlikely to occur in the traditional places such as Marine Corps Gazette and Marine Corps University for many reasons. One is the refusal of the Gazette Editor to publish articles from those of us who oppose Force Design 2030 though he has falsely stated otherwise. Another is the banning of retired officers who oppose Force Design 2030 from speaking at MCU; I have an email from the president of MCU saying I don’t have the” expertise” to speak there. Of note, the server at Quantico blocks Compass Points, so anyone who tries to read what we write from a dot mil address isn’t able to reach the link.
Sorry to hear, sir! This is totally unprofessional and quite frankly unethical. The blocking of certain publications and cheating from highly decorated and experienced Marines is antithesis of the freedom of speech we spent decades defending! What is the MCU and MCA afraid of?
General, it almost sounds like HQMC is afraid of hearing the truth. I always thought free flow of info was good for knowing all possibilities and making informed decisions.
Lynn, the Gazette and the MCU are the right venues for discussing and debating the pros and cons of Force Design and the alternatives for a better path forward. Those of us who want to see FD replaced by a more forward-looking concept informed by Vision 2035 would welcome the debate.
There are three issues in play here:
1. What people say is immaterial. What people do is the best indicator of true intent.
2. National Defense is so much more than the Department of Defense. It is a national issue that criss crosses everything we do. Education is national defense. 300,000 Chinese students at US Universities is a defense issue. Petro Chemical, Agriculture, industrial base, infra structure, youth physical fitness, high tech industry, critical minerals and chemicals, export policy, research, development and acquisition, cultural standards, immigration, national health, strategic stockpiles, transportation, diplomacy, entertainment, sports, commercial shipping and aviation policy are all defense related. Who coordinates and directs these efforts? Something as simple as stockpiling critical minerals seem to be too hard to grasp. We can’t even refill the National Petroleum Stockpile or build up critical medical resources.
3. Our Corps, seeking to be cutting edge and lethal engaged in a series of miscalculations that made it virtually irrelevant. Change is certain. The right change is another matter. While history champions change that ushered in victory the failures of change are relegated to the dusty back shelves. When change agents dismiss their critics as “resistant to change” you know they cannot debate the merits of the change they champion. So it was the day FD-20XX was spawned in secrecy with threats and subterfuge. The very process of implementation was an indicator as to its value. It could not stand up to the scrutiny of professional analysis. It could not stand up to scrutiny and leaned on trying to discredit the well meaning and experienced like Gen Gray and countless professional SNCOs, Officers and Generals.
Today we are facing a narrow window to rebuild, reform and once again make the Marine Corps a globally relevant MAGTF. Failure to do so will result in a catastrophic impact with Congressional funding priorities and extinction.
China is a toxic trading partner. All of its trade is strategic not commercial. We should phase out all trade with China, no raw materials or food out, and no industrial products in. The phase-out should be persistent and orderly, say completed over seven years.
As for the antimony, we should immediately develop other mines, in the US preferably or in reliable areas offshore. And/or develop production methods that use materials other than antimony. Any dependency on China is a noose the CCP will not hesitate to draw tight.
The vital elements that were divested required brains, brawn, dedication to excellence, supervision and relentless training. Characteristics these pretenders have not demonstrated…They seem lazy and without the traits always associated with Marines.
Of course, it’s easier and less stressful to play at special operations and gimmickry. When nothing is actually being done, there are no accidents or incidents that might negatively affect careers. They can always stay in a transition mode and “look to the future”. How in the world did we get to this point? Semper Fi