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Great Things are Ahead!
This week, when the National Interest published the three articles introducing Vision 2035, it marked a big step in finding a better way forward for the Marine Corps.
This is the discussion and debate about force design. Is it best for the Marine Corps to take up defensive positions along the island chain? Or is it better to preserve, develop, and expand those capabilities that make the Marine Corps a global, combined arms force that uses maneuver to win? Compass Points believes the Marine Corps is America’s 911 force and should remain America’s 911 force.
Compass Points highlights more than 70 authoritative articles that raise serious concerns about the current force design approach. The articles are worth reviewing again and again. Links to the first dozen articles are pasted in below.
Compass Points readers are thought leaders who help move the discussion and debate about national security. One reader suggests Compass Points provide Congressional contact information for those who want to reach out to the Hill. Compass Points has considered the request. Early in 2023, once the 118th Congress convenes, Compass Points will provide contact information.
Another reader asked about the Compass Points satire stories. Yes, more satire stories are on the way.
Compass Points is also seeking input from readers. Particularly needed are paragraphs and comments discussing: combat bridging, swarm / drone ops, aviation, logistics, MPS, and the ethos and intangibles of the Corps.
Compass Points is grateful for the commitment and participation of the entire Compass Points community.
To get to the full Compass Points PME Library, click on “Archives” and scroll down to:
Compass Points - PME Library - November 13, 2022
The Independent Library of Articles Regarding Marine Corps FD 2030
(First dozen)
1. This is a link to an article by Mark Cancian that appeared in War on the Rocks in January 2020 with early questions about Force Design 2030.
Don’t Go Too Crazy, Marine Corps - War on the Rocks
2. This is a link to an article by Mark Cancian that appeared in a CSIS report in March 2020 which challenged the approach of Force Design 2030.
3. This is a link to an article by former Secretary of the Navy James Webb that appeared in the National Interest on 8 May 2020 in which he challenged Force Design 2030.
The Future of the U.S. Marine Corps | The National Interest
4. This is a link to a Congressional Research Service Report on 5 June 2020.
https://sgp.fas.org/crs/natsec/IN11281.pdf
5. This is a link to an article by Bing West that appeared in the Marine Corps Gazette in August 2021.
A-Force-in-Readiness-or-in-Stasis.pdf (mca-marines.org)
6. This is a link to an interview with Lt. Gen. Terry Robling that appeared in The Second Line of Defense on 10 November 2021.
7. This link is to a Congressional Research Service Report on 7 March 2022.
8. This is a link to a letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal on 10 March 2022 by General Sheehan that questions the credit given to FD 2030 in that publication from the day before.
Wasteful Spending, a Shrinking Force and the Marine Corps’s Big Bet - WSJ
9. This is a link to an article by Bing West that appeared in National Review on 13 March 2022.
Ukraine’s Tragedy Should Refocus the U.S. Marine Corps | National Review
10. This is a link to a rebuttal by Bing West that appeared in National Review on 19 March 2022 to a critique of his 13 March article.
11. This is a link to an article in Marine Corps Times on 21 March 2022 by Lt. Gen. P.K. Van Riper.
Jeopardizing national security: What is happening to our Marine Corps? (marinecorpstimes.com)
12. This is a link to a 25 March 2022 article by James Webb that appeared in the Wall Street Journal in which he challenged Force Design 2030.
Momentous Changes in the U.S. Marine Corps’ Force Organization Deserve Debate - WSJ
A superb resource with quick links to superior and thoughtful articles that clearly articulate the flaws and entire concept of FD 2030!