Compass Points - Multi-Purpose Marines
Or Marine Littoral Regiments?
Compass Points - Multi-Purpose Marines
Or Marine Littoral Regiments?
January 27, 2024
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Which is best, a multi-purpose Marine Corps or a narrow purpose Marine Corps?
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Traditionally, Marines have been organized, trained, and equipped to fight in "any clime or place." Beginning in 2019, however, the Marine Corps decided that it was better to focus on less flexible, more limited Marine units. The Marine Corps decided that there was a need for Marine missile units on islands in the Pacific. To meet the mission, the Marine Corps decided to create new Marine Littoral Regiments.
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What are Marine Littoral Regiments?
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More importantly, why are they?
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The Marine Corps' official website explains:
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The Marine Littoral Regiment is one part of the larger force design intended to remedy challenges created by the continued evolution of the character of warfare – specifically the proliferation of the Mature Precision Strike Regime.
An MLR will be a self-deployable, multi-domain force . . .
-- Marines.mil
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Narrow, limited Marine Regiments? Why?
If narrow, limited regiments were a good idea, the Marine Corps could make many more narrow, limited regiments.
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MAR - Marine Arctic Regiments
MDR - Marine Desert Regiments
MSOCR - Marine Special Operations Capable Regiments.
MFR - Marine Fiord Regiments
MJR - Marine Jungle Regiments
MWOR - Marine Water Operations Regiments
MNOR - Marine Night Operations Regiments
MUR - Marine Urban Regiments
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Perhaps it depends on where the Marines are going to fight next? Will the Marine be fighting in or near the Spratly Islands, the Philippine Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Norwegian Sea, or somewhere else?
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Unfortunately, it is impossible to know for sure where Marines will be needed next or what their next mission will be.
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Instead of all these narrow, limited Marine regiments, maybe it would be a good idea to organize Marines into flexible, multi-purpose units that could be sent to any location and carry out any mission. These flexible, multi-purpose Marine units could be specially tailored and equipped for the mission and the location. Upon arriving, the Marines could conduct a variety of missions including humanitarian, special operations, deterrence and presence, and a full range of combat missions.
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Good news! The Marine Corps already has a multi-purpose unit, the Marine Air, Ground (Logistics) Task Force - MAGTF.
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WHAT IS A MAGTF?
The organizational structure of the MAGTF provides our Nation with capabilities that are as distinct as they are decisive. In response to global conflicts and disasters, the MAGTF enables Marines to deliver rapid, powerful, and sustainable response on a global scale. Sea-to-shore, air-to-ground, door-to-door, there isn’t an organizational model more capable of quickly putting Marines where they need to be in order to fight and win for our country.
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AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE
Marines have the amphibious capabilities to reach battlefields traditional forces cannot and have the equipment to operate without ports, airstrips, or significant infrastructure. It isn’t enough to get Marines ashore, however. Marines must have the firepower and resources to carry the day upon arrival. Within the structure of the MAGTF, Marines have the will, the determination, and the capability to deploy to battles around the world within six hours.
--Marines.mil
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The official Marine Corps description of a MAGTF proves a good summary of a MAGTF's power and flexibility. Sadly, most of the official description of a MAGTF describes how a MAGTF used to be and not how it is today. The MAGTF over the last few years has been shorn of many critical capabilities.
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MAGTFs should be continually upgraded, enhanced, and renewed. If MAGTFs need new missiles, acquire missiles. If MAGTFs need more drones, acquire drones. If Marines in a MAGTF need cold weather gear for a cold weather mission, break out the cold weather gear. There is no reason to create a narrow, limited unit for a cold weather mission, or for any other mission. The MAGTF has flexibility built in. The Marine Corps has spent the last several years obsessing over a few narrow, limited, Marine missile units on Pacific islands. It is long past time for the Marine Corps to turn its focus from a few narrow, limited units and refocus on upgraded and enhanced, multi-purpose, MAGTFs.
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Marines.mil
MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE
https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/marine-corps-structure/air-ground-task-force.html
What do Marine Littoral Regiments have in common with USN Littoral Ships? Both are of limited utility and each will have an almost similar fate. Forbes May 20, 2021 “The Littoral Combat Ship Can’t FIGHT and the U.S. Navy is Finally Coming to Terms with It” Forbes by David Axe. Yes the USN spent billions w a B to build a total of 31 of these ships only to find they are to lightly armed, are limited to littoral zones ie not”multi purpose and can not face threats across the spectrum of conflict. So what is the USN doing w them? You answered correctly if you said decommissioning and or selling them to friendly foreign countries. How many Littoral Combat Ships are currently in the Red Sea ? If you guessed Zero you would be correct, how many Marine Littoral Regiments are ready to fight in the Red Sea yes Zero. What Marine Force is in the Red Sea ready to Land the Landing Force? Probably Zero.....yes the 26 MEU is afloat onboard the USS Bataan LHD -5 other ships in its ARG. Does it have any Tanks? How many tubes of Artillery? Are any of its Ospreys airworthy? Are any F35B onboard? How many King Stallions? Did any of the Marine Officer slip their Mameluke, is so perhaps it’s a Cold Steel version built to British standards and Razor Sharp! How many times has the 26th MEUs deployment been extended BECAUSE NO OTHER Expeditionary USN ships are ready to carry fresh Marines to a fight? We are in a PICKLE because Commandant Berger Retired and his tiny brain trust, pun intended, did what no enemy could do....DESTROYED THE USMC W/O FIRING A SHOT!
I am astonished at what the Corps is trying to become. Irrelevant comes to mind. During my 30 year tenure, I believe I can speak to the validity of the MAGTF. 1981, platoon leader for 1st plt, Co A, 1/6, I walked the Delta Corridor at 29 Palms for what was called a Combined Arms Exercise…A few years later, in response to a CMC White Letter, I went to flight school, landing in the venerable A-4. Flew up and down the Delta Corridor, and for those who remember, kicked off CAX with a serious smoke screen emanating from the underwing tank. After joining the Reserves, I landed at the 4th Tank Battalion, first as the AO, then the OPSO. Was fortunate to accept M1A1 Abram’s TANKS, and rode up and down the Delta Corridor in a beast of a machine. All the while, coordinated fires from infantry, artillery, aviation, and mech flew about in excess. We could “ locate, close with, and destroy the enemy “ with astonishing speed, firepower, and mobility…will tomorrows Marines, waiting on resupply on a sandspit in the Spratlys be able to make the same claim? Time to stop the insanity.