Compass Points - On Alert

Marines on alert around the globe

May 05, 2026

Compass Points - On Alert

Marines on alert around the globe

May 5, 2026

When Great Britain’s King Charles arrived in Washington D.C. for his recent state visit, the US Commander-in-Chief proudly displayed units from the US military.

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The rain abated just minutes before the monarch was feted with a meticulously choreographed ceremony: a fife-and-drum corps in perfect unison, as well as “The President’s Own” Marine band performing both national anthems, and a 21-gun salute reverberating across the South Lawn.

The president and the king went on to preside over the first-ever pass in review conducted at the White House, which featured 300 U.S. service members. Nearly 500 personnel drawn from all six branches of the armed forces were present at the event, according to the office of the first lady.

-- Greg Maresca, “Trump showcases US military in King Charles White House visit”

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US Marines marched in review for the English Monarch. The President’s Own Marine band played, and Marines in blue-white dress uniforms served as ceremonial guards and escorts throughout the visit. Naturally, the Marines looked sharp.

If King Charles wanted to see the real faithfulness of US Marines, however, he should look beyond the White House. He should see the Marines in the Middle East today onboard Navy amphibious ships, cleaning their weapons over and over again so they stay ready.

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Long after the headlines faded, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) remains on point in the Persian Gulf. A MEU is a coiled spring of amphibious fury ready to strike. They are the Pentagon’s 9‑1‑1 force on float.

The Marines are still there living in tight quarters, fighting monotony that comes with waiting for the call. Their days are filled with the unglamorous work that keeps a force ready: cleaning rifles, running drills, maintaining gear, and train in narrow passageways and lift weights on makeshift benches welded to the ship’s frame — places where OSHA would blow a gasket.

All of this is the unreported backbone of readiness.

The fight against boredom, repetition, and routine is as real as any external threat. For at least two generations Marines have labeled it “embracing the suck,” but it’s more than that. It is discipline in its purest form, the willingness to stay sharp and refusing to allow any complacency to take root knowing that the call could come at any time.

-- Greg Maresca

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Whether Marines are called for a dangerous mission in the next hour or the next week, Marines must be ready. Author and Marine, Gary Anderson, warns that while the fighting spirit of Marines is always ready for anything, the capabilities of Marines today are not ready for urban combat.

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Consequently, when the Trump administration decided to institute a naval blockade of Iran rather than to try to seize Kharg Island, I gave a sigh of relief that the Marine Corps would not have to attempt an amphibious assault. I am aware that many active duty officers were doing the same because they know in their hearts that the Corps is not ready to fight the major urban campaign that it would have to face in Kharg’s heavily industrialized interior. Despite the Pentagon’s crowing about having two Marine Corps Expeditionary Units (MEUs) in waters off Iran, the Marine Corps lacks the basic tools needed to conduct urban combat. Marines currently lack tanks, heavy engineers, and school-trained snipers required to wage modern urban battles.

. . . At the risk of getting too deep in the weeds regarding urban tactics, the combined arms approach worked as follows: Marine infantry would advance on a target building behind the tanks. The highly accurate tank guns would suppress fire from the defenders, while snipers would act in a counter-sniper capacity, watching the flanks and rear. Heavy engineer bulldozers were used to level particularly troublesome structures and clear supply routes of rubble.

All of those are now missing from the Marine Corps inventory.

-- Gary Anderson

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US Marines always look good for the visits of Kings, potentates, or lesser VIPs. But visiting VIPs can only see the outside of Marines. If they could peer into the heart of Marines, they would be even more impressed.

The heart of a Marine is always ready for battle.

Marines are eager to master every obstacle and meet every challenge.

Marines will use the tools they are given. If they are given weapons, they will use weapons to fight. If they do not have weapons, they will use rocks or their own bare hands.

It is the responsibility of the most senior Marines to make sure that young Marines have all the tools and all the support they need.

Marines are sailing now in the Middle East waiting for the call. Marines are not on parade or on ceremonial duty. They are waiting day after day, between monotony and emergency.

Compass Points salutes all Marines around the global serving in a variety of posts and billets. When the call comes to, “Send in the Marines!” there is no doubt the heart of the Marines will be ready. There is great doubt, however, about the readiness of the Marine equipment inventory. Marines will fight with rocks if they have to, but they should not need to. Marines should not be sent into danger zones without all the tools they need. It is time to enhance, restore, and upgrade all the units, equipment, and capabilities needed by Marines for the crises of today and tomorrow.

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Miliary Times - 04/28/2026