Compass Points - Maximum MAGTF
Uniting powerful points of view
Compass Points - Maximum MAGTF
Uniting powerful points of view
September 8, 2024
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Good news!
Sunday is a time for reflection and on this Sunday, we can reflect on some good news from the world of physics.
For decades there has been a split in physics between relativity and quantum mechanics. Relativity is the theory that springs from Einstein’s famous equation E=MC2 and describes powerful forces at the planetary level. Quantum mechanics or quantum physics describes the mysterious forces at the infinitesimally small level of quantum particles. In the past, the two theories have been in conflict, with no way to bring the two theories together.
Now scientists are reporting about a new way of “bridging the gap between relativity and quantum physics."
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For the first time, a mathematical framework proves that Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which explains the relationship between space, time, and gravity, is in alignment with quantum physics —- the branch of science that describes the behavior of electrons, photons, and other fundamental particles.
“We proved that the Einstein field equation from general relativity is actually a relativistic quantum mechanical equation,” the researchers note in their study.
In simple words, this new framework connects the science that governs the macroscopic world with that of the microscopic world.
Therefore, it has the potential to explain every physical phenomenon known to humanity ranging from the mysterious dark matter in space to the photons emitted by your phone’s flashlight.
“To date, no globally accepted theory has been proposed to explain all physical observations,” the researchers added. They claim that their theory can challenge the foundations of physics and change our understanding of the universe.
-- Interesting Engineering
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If scientists can find a way to solve the conflict between relativity and quantum physics, then science grows stronger. Perhaps the Marine Corps could learn from the scientists. For the last several years there has been a split in the Marine Corps. Perhaps it is time to bridge the gap in the Marine Corps universe -- and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel has the way to do it.
Ever since 2019 there has been a conflict inside the Marine Corps between the MAGTF, the world famous, global, Marine Air Ground Task Force, and the new small, island missile units. In the FRAGO O1-2024 the Marine Corps affirmed an approach where the small missile units were the focus of modernization, but the MAGTF was not. This was called “Balancing Crisis Response and Modernization.”
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By Balancing Crisis Response and Modernization, we will align and synchronize our Force Design advancements, while remaining unwavering in our commitment to persistent, global forward presence and our Marine Expeditionary Units.
-- FRAGO 01-2024
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Many Marines and friends of the Corps have wondered how these different viewpoints about Marine Corps capabilities might be united. Why should small missile units be the focus of modernization instead of the MAGTF? Uniting different Marine Corps points of view may take borrowing from the wisdom of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
Hegel was a social and political philosopher who developed a system to create new and better ideas out of contentious and opposing ideas. His system is Thesis, Antithesis, and Synthesis.
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Thesis, Antithesis, and Synthesis.
I. THESIS – Marine Corps global combined arms, crisis response MAGTF.
II. ANTITHESIS – Small, regional, defensive missile units on Pacific islands.
Discussion: There is no need to “balance” and separate crisis response from modernization. This has created a ‘modernization vs MAGTF’ approach that has weakened the MAGTF and created dissension in the Marine Corps. Now is the time to find a new synthesis.
III. SYNTHESIS – Maximum MAGTF.
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It is time to put modernization and the MAGTF together and build the new, upgraded Maximum MAGTF. The Marine Corps needs to stop creating units, equipment, and capabilities outside the MAGTF. Instead, missiles, rockets, drones, and new sensing technologies become integrated as part of the modernization of the Maximum MAGTF. Marine Corps modernization does not stop. Modernization continues at full speed as part of updating, enhancing, and expanding the units, equipment, and capabilities of the global, combined arms, crisis response Maximum MAGTF.
The focus on ‘Maximum MAGTF’ may be just what the Marine Corps needs to find a united path forward.
If scientists can bring together conflicting ideas of relativity and quantum physics, then the Marine Corps can bring together modernization and the MAGTF.
Compass Points thanks the philosopher Hegel for his Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis approach that may help the Marine Corps find a better way forward. Compass Points also thanks all those Marines and friends of the Corps who are working to resolve conflicts and make sure stronger and more united days are ahead.
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Interesting Engineering - 09/07/2024
Magical equation unites quantum physics, Einstein’s general relativity in a first
For the first time, we have an equation that connects the cosmic realm with the quantum world in ways never before imagined.
By Rupendra Brahambhatt
https://interestingengineering.com/science/general-relativity-quantum-physics-united
Today’s commentary is the most sensible approach to the FD fiasco. Marine Corps leadership should’ve applied this approach from the get go. There was no need to divest from so much firepower to create the SIF. I know, money is the driving factor for the divestment. However, I don’t believe the MC leadership advocated hard enough to increase the Marine Corps budget so the the Missile units could’ve been stood up and integrated into, what is arguably the greatest military concept ever developed, the MAGTF!
One of the many strengths of the MAGTF is its flexibility to grow, contract and task organize based on multiple factors. That adaptability is a remarkable, often under appreciated, characteristic that makes it singularly lethal. The Marine ethos and training approach make this complex versatility look easy. In fact it is honed over decades and becomes an institutional muscle memory executed by competent leaders developed over decades.
It is for that reason that the decisions in 2019 puzzled so many with a lifetime of understanding a MAGTF. As the leadership came to believe that some response to the Chinese Fleet in the South China Sea needed to be developed, doing so in the framework of the MAGTF was only logical and was actually suggested early on. Add a Bn with the ship intradiction mission to each Artillery Regiment and experiment with four versions until such time as the optimal T/O &E emerges. This model has been done repeatedly over the previous decades. Expand, contract, modify, disband, restructure all within the MAGTF concept.
That funding would be required is a given. It light of the overall DoD budget the requested funding would have been modest and precisely what a Commandant is expected to be able to accomplish.
To circumvent the budget request by a misinformed quid pro quo realignment of funding outside of your authority through secrecy, smoke, mirrors, deception and the arbitrary elimination of units and capabilities did not just attempt to catch the Corps flat footed it was an attempt to bypass Congress and the laws concerning appropriations. The fact that it slid through under the radar of a distracted Congress and DoD does not change that it was underhanded, Machiavellian and, with begrudging respect, cunning. The other services chiefs raised no objections because it looked like it would benefit them. Some other Secretaries of Defense would have dragged the CMC into their office to set them straight on the unauthorized midnight end run to the edge of the cliff.
As a former Commander I cannot imagine a subordinate of mine acting in a similar manner and retaining his/her position.
What now? If I were an advisor the the current CMC I would suggest:
1. Place EABO development into the construct and framework of the MAGTF. Request the appropriate funding and end strength increases.
2. Properly request funding for the EABO development from Congress as well as funding and end strength increases.
3. Move swiftly to restore assets and manpower to the MAGTF while developing doctrine on how to support EAOB if it were to execute.
There is little doubt in my mind that Defense Spending is going to increase in light of the growing global threats. A failure to do so rapidly and in a very focused fashion could be very dangerous. The requests in 1 through 3 above will be expensive but not in the overall spending scheme and could yield rapid, globally relevant capabilities . The Marine Corps consumes a very small percentage of the Defense budget. There are fine lines between effectiveness