Two notes: 1) As Compass Points notes, BGen McAbee uses the words "additive" and "funded" to describe the formation of the Defense Battalions. This is key in innovation, especially in worlds that transgress the digital / physical divide. Combining existing capabilities with emerging concepts and technologies in novel ways is innovation. The wheel wasn't left on the side of the road when we gained electric motors and internal combustion engines...it was combined with those technologies.
2) Not everything is a new concept...many concepts are just running on a newer 'Marine Operating System' that enables the same thing to be done in the same way more efficiently, or in a different way. Of note, LCpl cFrog, received an NGF class while attending the (defunct) ARC in Coronado circa late 1990. At one point, while discussing fires planning with the instructor, the class hit the LCDR with a good one. "If the Missouri or some other ship (or sub) had Tomahawks, would we be able to call for them?". The LCDR replied, as long as you have done the relevant coordination...and the planning... and the mission parameters allowed, then yes, you would. We liked the idea of 1000 mile call for fire and decided the Navy might be okay for the rest of the day. The point being, using sneaky SOBs as sensors/ sensor operators to hunt for long range naval launched missiles isn't something generated in 2018, and we did not need to execute plan 'get rid of this to get that'. I relate this as I get the impression sometimes that the current field grade FD proponents think USMC history before 2005 consists mostly of crusty old dudes clinging to M1 Garand's thinking that kill webs are made with TA-1s and slash wire.
Years ago MCRD San Diego use to keep a parking space in front of the HQ Building reserved for “crusty old” General Shepard, former Commandant of the Marine Corps. General Shepard possessed a remarkable WW2 Combat Record and irregularly show up at both scheduled and unscheduled events. His habit was to tell the audience, he always drew, a story about his Marine experiences.
My old memory, is cloudy now, but I believed General Shepard told a story about Smedley Butler when he was commanding the 4th Marines stationed in the old MCRD Barracks before WW2 commenced.
While he was at the Marine San Diego Barracks, General Butler got his hands on a vehicle that was designed to operate in the swamps of Louisiana. This was a water borne vehicle build with tracks and General Butler was experimenting with the vehicle on the San Diego Beaches. The other part of the story was when General Butler’s Admiral came over to inspect the Barracks, the Admiral, upon seeing this strange vehicle, would ask: “What the hell is that?” General Butler would then make a minimizing comment like: “Oh nothing, just something of interest for my Marines.”
Another old crusty general by the name of Al Gray, came up with the concept of the LAV. The feedback on the initial LAV war gaming (I should note these were “in the field” laser war games) were not good. The LAV was initially pitted against main battle tanks. The tanks were the attacking force and the LAV defending. The tanks would flush the LAVs from concealment then pick them off like quill. Someone then remembered that the LAV is not anti-tank weapon but it is reconnaissance vehicle. In Desert storm a US Army Armored Brigade (the Tiger Brigade) was attached to the 2nd MARDIV. Two items impressed the Army Brigade Commander. The first was the Marines ability to request and coordinated close air support. The other was the LAV Bn to the point he publicly stated: I wish I had a LAV Battalion.
We all know the history of the Amtrak stating at Tarawa and continuing today. The LAV has a very favorably reputation for its tactical flexibility. Innovation and experimentation is a big and necessary part of Marine Corps history. I understand Commandant’s need to experiment for future situations and technology, however, innovation and experimentation should not be an excuse to cut force structure. If Smedley Butler and Alfred Gray could do it, why couldn’t David Berger?
cfrog, you got it right...but don't discount those "crusty old dudes"...:)
The Offensive (Tactical and Strategic) Amphibious Operation of Albion (Oct 1917)
Germany was three years into the First World War. The Russian front was static but tying up many of Germany’s best divisions. The early defeats and the Russian revolution had severely damaged the morale of the Russian soldiers and population. The German defense was holding and stable on the Western Front. The British and French Army’s strength had “peaked” and the French were developing and showing moral problems in the trenches. The Germans also recognized the “Yanks” were coming. The US was now equipping, training, and sending fresh divisions to France. The German’s needed an offensive operation on the Western Front before the Americans arrived. In order to accomplished this they needed to free up their Divisions on the Russian Front.
Seizing this port would provide the tactical advantage of shortening the supply lines to the Germans Divisions on the Russian Front that were focused on the Russian Capital of St. Petersburg.
Strategically the object was to force the current weak Russian revolutionary government to the negotiation table or even topple it with a quick, surprise and dramatic victory. The dramatic effect would not only be accomplished with the seizure of the port and shore batteries but the destruction of the Russian infantry division defending the port. A peace treaty would allow the Germans to shift those Eastern Divisions to the Western Front before the Americans arrived in France.
They planned to accomplish this by landing and attacking the shore batteries from the rear and cutting off the Russian infantry located on the main island of Saaremaa using bicycles. The landing started on 12 Oct and the operation was over on 20 Oct. The Germans took over 20,000 POWs, captured 141 heavy guns and force the Russian fleet to fight its way out of the Riga Gulf losing 1 battleship, 1 destroyer and 1 submarine. Shortly after the Russian government was toppled by the Communist. Germany quickly negotiated with Russia allowing the shift of their divisions to the Western Front.
The Albion is a wonderful example how a successful amphibious operation can be a victory both tactically and strategically.
I have to thank and credit both Dr. Bruce Gudmundsson and Col Tim Powledge for their podcast on Operation Albion here:
I also want to thank Dr.Tony Piscitelli for his recently released book: Colonel of Marines Michael D. Wyly: a Marine with a Vision. After reading it I was reminded of Col Wyly’s discussions about Operation Albion. IMHO the book is the “Rosetta Stone” for “Maneuver Warfare”. The book also makes me wonder if the Wyly “warfighting” reforms recommended, but not implemented, would have prevented the US Marine Corps dealing with the 2030 Design mess of today.
Daily Memo: Palestinian Factions Meet in Moscow, Cuba Asks for Help
Havana is reaching out amid worsening food shortages.
By: Geopolitical Futures
Coming together. Representatives from various Palestinian groups including Hamas and Fatah are meeting in Moscow for unity talks. This comes after the Palestinian Authority's prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, and his government resigned on Monday. The main goal of the 14 participating factions is “the restoration of Palestinian unity,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Cuban crisis. The Cuban government has for the first time asked the U.N.’s World Food Program for help amid an intensifying food shortage. Havana is requesting deliveries of powdered milk for young children. Shortages of food, pharmaceuticals and fuel are a result of the country’s worsening economic crisis.
Training role. Canada is open to sending military personnel to Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said. In a new interview, the minister added that Canadian troops would participate only in a non-combat role far from the front lines. The idea was floated among Ukraine's supporters during a security summit earlier this week in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron said some allies were considering deploying troops to Ukraine. Other leaders denied the claim.
Shipbuilding industry. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited three major shipyards in South Korea this week. He called on shipbuilders HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean – both experienced in making ships for defense – to bring their expertise to the United States and help reactivate dormant shipyards there. The companies' CEOs will visit the Pentagon in the coming weeks for talks.
Energy forum. Algeria is hosting a forum of natural gas exporters as it seeks to position itself as a world leader in energy. The participating 22 countries, including Russia and Iran, will discuss collaboration in the energy sector, engagement with OPEC and investments in both gas and renewable energy.
Russian expertise. Russian state nuclear energy firm Rosatom is in talks on building small nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar, the head of the company said in a speech at Russia’s State Duma. He added that global demand for such plants is rising.
Iraq trip. Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan visited Iraq this week and met with the president of the Kurdistan region and Iraq’s prime minister.
Today on X US Senator Dan Sullivan, Alaska and recently retired USMCR Colonel stated that Chairman Xi was terrified of USN Submarines. He indicated that he recently met with the new CNO to discuss the possibility of building new submarine boat yards! He said nothing in his X about Marine Littoral Regiments or their mighty missile force capabilities. I ask him in my response if he mentioned Amphibious Ships to the Lady CNO. In response to his X I reminded him of the destruction of the MAGTF and ask him about the NDAA requirement to review the current “ONE TRICK PONY” Marine Corps. I did not mention the 100,000 square foot Star Wars like Marine War-fighting Simulation Center that may be open in 2025 in Quantico, nor did I address the assignment of a Brigadier General logistician, President of the Marine Corps University who attended the United States Institute of Peace as a Commandant’s Fellow and Studied Women’s Peace and Security. Her biography does not mention her attendance at any War College. Needless to say the 100,000 square foot War fighting Simulation Center, yet to be opened was not employed in the rigorous studies that produced the MLR. According to today’s Rane Worldview, U.S. Naval Update Map: LHD 5 USS Bataan is moored in Sousa Bay Greece and LHA 6 USS America is moored in Osaka, Japan. The other 7 Amphibious Ready Groups are in their home ports and hopefully by the grace of God under 24/7 fire watch so as not to meet the fate of the “Bonny Dick”!
Sounds like the SECNAV is playing budget games. I am still sticking to my idea of not retiring the LSDs early and pay our allies to extend them in their shipyards while the SECNAV gets his amphibious ship building plan in order.
Two notes: 1) As Compass Points notes, BGen McAbee uses the words "additive" and "funded" to describe the formation of the Defense Battalions. This is key in innovation, especially in worlds that transgress the digital / physical divide. Combining existing capabilities with emerging concepts and technologies in novel ways is innovation. The wheel wasn't left on the side of the road when we gained electric motors and internal combustion engines...it was combined with those technologies.
2) Not everything is a new concept...many concepts are just running on a newer 'Marine Operating System' that enables the same thing to be done in the same way more efficiently, or in a different way. Of note, LCpl cFrog, received an NGF class while attending the (defunct) ARC in Coronado circa late 1990. At one point, while discussing fires planning with the instructor, the class hit the LCDR with a good one. "If the Missouri or some other ship (or sub) had Tomahawks, would we be able to call for them?". The LCDR replied, as long as you have done the relevant coordination...and the planning... and the mission parameters allowed, then yes, you would. We liked the idea of 1000 mile call for fire and decided the Navy might be okay for the rest of the day. The point being, using sneaky SOBs as sensors/ sensor operators to hunt for long range naval launched missiles isn't something generated in 2018, and we did not need to execute plan 'get rid of this to get that'. I relate this as I get the impression sometimes that the current field grade FD proponents think USMC history before 2005 consists mostly of crusty old dudes clinging to M1 Garand's thinking that kill webs are made with TA-1s and slash wire.
Wargames and “Experimentation” and a story
Years ago MCRD San Diego use to keep a parking space in front of the HQ Building reserved for “crusty old” General Shepard, former Commandant of the Marine Corps. General Shepard possessed a remarkable WW2 Combat Record and irregularly show up at both scheduled and unscheduled events. His habit was to tell the audience, he always drew, a story about his Marine experiences.
My old memory, is cloudy now, but I believed General Shepard told a story about Smedley Butler when he was commanding the 4th Marines stationed in the old MCRD Barracks before WW2 commenced.
While he was at the Marine San Diego Barracks, General Butler got his hands on a vehicle that was designed to operate in the swamps of Louisiana. This was a water borne vehicle build with tracks and General Butler was experimenting with the vehicle on the San Diego Beaches. The other part of the story was when General Butler’s Admiral came over to inspect the Barracks, the Admiral, upon seeing this strange vehicle, would ask: “What the hell is that?” General Butler would then make a minimizing comment like: “Oh nothing, just something of interest for my Marines.”
Another old crusty general by the name of Al Gray, came up with the concept of the LAV. The feedback on the initial LAV war gaming (I should note these were “in the field” laser war games) were not good. The LAV was initially pitted against main battle tanks. The tanks were the attacking force and the LAV defending. The tanks would flush the LAVs from concealment then pick them off like quill. Someone then remembered that the LAV is not anti-tank weapon but it is reconnaissance vehicle. In Desert storm a US Army Armored Brigade (the Tiger Brigade) was attached to the 2nd MARDIV. Two items impressed the Army Brigade Commander. The first was the Marines ability to request and coordinated close air support. The other was the LAV Bn to the point he publicly stated: I wish I had a LAV Battalion.
We all know the history of the Amtrak stating at Tarawa and continuing today. The LAV has a very favorably reputation for its tactical flexibility. Innovation and experimentation is a big and necessary part of Marine Corps history. I understand Commandant’s need to experiment for future situations and technology, however, innovation and experimentation should not be an excuse to cut force structure. If Smedley Butler and Alfred Gray could do it, why couldn’t David Berger?
cfrog, you got it right...but don't discount those "crusty old dudes"...:)
"We’re not accustomed to occupying defensive positions. It’s destructive to morale."
—LtGen H. M. “Howlin’ Mad” Smith, Iwo Jima, 1945, quoted to Walter Karig
The Offensive (Tactical and Strategic) Amphibious Operation of Albion (Oct 1917)
Germany was three years into the First World War. The Russian front was static but tying up many of Germany’s best divisions. The early defeats and the Russian revolution had severely damaged the morale of the Russian soldiers and population. The German defense was holding and stable on the Western Front. The British and French Army’s strength had “peaked” and the French were developing and showing moral problems in the trenches. The Germans also recognized the “Yanks” were coming. The US was now equipping, training, and sending fresh divisions to France. The German’s needed an offensive operation on the Western Front before the Americans arrived. In order to accomplished this they needed to free up their Divisions on the Russian Front.
In little more than a month the German Army and Navy planned and executed the amphibious “Operation Albion”. The first tactical objective was to force the Russian Baltic Fleet out of the fortified Baltic Sea Port of Riga. The Gulf of Riga is protected with shore batteries on the three islands of the Muhu Archipelago. https://www.google.com/maps/place/West+Estonian+archipelago/@58.4702946,21.9196136,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x46f283e5f3071119:0x466bd5e19bb703f0!8m2!3d58.4719923!4d22.5802404!16s%2Fm%2F027xxm3?hl=en&entry=ttu
Seizing this port would provide the tactical advantage of shortening the supply lines to the Germans Divisions on the Russian Front that were focused on the Russian Capital of St. Petersburg.
Strategically the object was to force the current weak Russian revolutionary government to the negotiation table or even topple it with a quick, surprise and dramatic victory. The dramatic effect would not only be accomplished with the seizure of the port and shore batteries but the destruction of the Russian infantry division defending the port. A peace treaty would allow the Germans to shift those Eastern Divisions to the Western Front before the Americans arrived in France.
They planned to accomplish this by landing and attacking the shore batteries from the rear and cutting off the Russian infantry located on the main island of Saaremaa using bicycles. The landing started on 12 Oct and the operation was over on 20 Oct. The Germans took over 20,000 POWs, captured 141 heavy guns and force the Russian fleet to fight its way out of the Riga Gulf losing 1 battleship, 1 destroyer and 1 submarine. Shortly after the Russian government was toppled by the Communist. Germany quickly negotiated with Russia allowing the shift of their divisions to the Western Front.
The Albion is a wonderful example how a successful amphibious operation can be a victory both tactically and strategically.
I have to thank and credit both Dr. Bruce Gudmundsson and Col Tim Powledge for their podcast on Operation Albion here:
https://cimsec.org/sea-control-168-operation-albion-with-dr-bruce-gudmundsson-and-tim-powledge/
I also want to thank Dr.Tony Piscitelli for his recently released book: Colonel of Marines Michael D. Wyly: a Marine with a Vision. After reading it I was reminded of Col Wyly’s discussions about Operation Albion. IMHO the book is the “Rosetta Stone” for “Maneuver Warfare”. The book also makes me wonder if the Wyly “warfighting” reforms recommended, but not implemented, would have prevented the US Marine Corps dealing with the 2030 Design mess of today.
https://www.amazon.com/Colonel-Marines-Michael-D-Wyly/dp/B0CV1YWQ9K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38RO2XXFUHDY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MLBryfaEFxymrKvV9FLP2vlQnC-DVlPpuuBDwWhKPYQDin1WghbLA9_oHIGR0XBZe5k1lhcSAQ5sxmrEpqWaXG5f66SkDyAXB5-yiVY_P7Br4323EQ6BWLHszIwhFGwP3OcAQa063fBRBlfWuVJBMMtBYLSp-7NF5XZz5E0y9duedONzr6T0oUhY2UsXDjVLN-hbeOLXGEyFk5tzMnAszkf4DE6prO_mUJq46IekLOs.Oz-mdihPHkvdlmENu_EQSYlCi1oVTXGw02oxUXISknE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Colonel+of+Marines&qid=1709305453&s=books&sprefix=colonel+of+marines%2Cstripbooks%2C80&sr=1-1
Semper Fi
See para 4…March 1, 2024
View On Website
Open as PDF
Daily Memo: Palestinian Factions Meet in Moscow, Cuba Asks for Help
Havana is reaching out amid worsening food shortages.
By: Geopolitical Futures
Coming together. Representatives from various Palestinian groups including Hamas and Fatah are meeting in Moscow for unity talks. This comes after the Palestinian Authority's prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, and his government resigned on Monday. The main goal of the 14 participating factions is “the restoration of Palestinian unity,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Cuban crisis. The Cuban government has for the first time asked the U.N.’s World Food Program for help amid an intensifying food shortage. Havana is requesting deliveries of powdered milk for young children. Shortages of food, pharmaceuticals and fuel are a result of the country’s worsening economic crisis.
Training role. Canada is open to sending military personnel to Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said. In a new interview, the minister added that Canadian troops would participate only in a non-combat role far from the front lines. The idea was floated among Ukraine's supporters during a security summit earlier this week in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron said some allies were considering deploying troops to Ukraine. Other leaders denied the claim.
Shipbuilding industry. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited three major shipyards in South Korea this week. He called on shipbuilders HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean – both experienced in making ships for defense – to bring their expertise to the United States and help reactivate dormant shipyards there. The companies' CEOs will visit the Pentagon in the coming weeks for talks.
Energy forum. Algeria is hosting a forum of natural gas exporters as it seeks to position itself as a world leader in energy. The participating 22 countries, including Russia and Iran, will discuss collaboration in the energy sector, engagement with OPEC and investments in both gas and renewable energy.
Russian expertise. Russian state nuclear energy firm Rosatom is in talks on building small nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar, the head of the company said in a speech at Russia’s State Duma. He added that global demand for such plants is rising.
Iraq trip. Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan visited Iraq this week and met with the president of the Kurdistan region and Iraq’s prime minister.
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Superb!
Today on X US Senator Dan Sullivan, Alaska and recently retired USMCR Colonel stated that Chairman Xi was terrified of USN Submarines. He indicated that he recently met with the new CNO to discuss the possibility of building new submarine boat yards! He said nothing in his X about Marine Littoral Regiments or their mighty missile force capabilities. I ask him in my response if he mentioned Amphibious Ships to the Lady CNO. In response to his X I reminded him of the destruction of the MAGTF and ask him about the NDAA requirement to review the current “ONE TRICK PONY” Marine Corps. I did not mention the 100,000 square foot Star Wars like Marine War-fighting Simulation Center that may be open in 2025 in Quantico, nor did I address the assignment of a Brigadier General logistician, President of the Marine Corps University who attended the United States Institute of Peace as a Commandant’s Fellow and Studied Women’s Peace and Security. Her biography does not mention her attendance at any War College. Needless to say the 100,000 square foot War fighting Simulation Center, yet to be opened was not employed in the rigorous studies that produced the MLR. According to today’s Rane Worldview, U.S. Naval Update Map: LHD 5 USS Bataan is moored in Sousa Bay Greece and LHA 6 USS America is moored in Osaka, Japan. The other 7 Amphibious Ready Groups are in their home ports and hopefully by the grace of God under 24/7 fire watch so as not to meet the fate of the “Bonny Dick”!
I caught this article on today's Early Bird:
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/02/in-south-korea-del-toro-courts-major-shipbuilders-to-set-up-shop-in-us/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mil-ebb&SToverlay=342f5a58-c37b-4142-b049-1f737335b507
Sounds like the SECNAV is playing budget games. I am still sticking to my idea of not retiring the LSDs early and pay our allies to extend them in their shipyards while the SECNAV gets his amphibious ship building plan in order.
Correction “Souda Bay” my spell ck like martial music.