US Marine battalions are “specialty” units. Marines are specialist in amphibious assault and MAGTF operations. Marine Raiders are top notch but for combat operations they work for SOCCOM and not the Marine Corps. Why are we providing our best Marines to SOCCOM? Doesn’t SOCCOM have enough Army Special Forces units? Every Marine Raider I have met is an exceptional and experienced professional. I am acquainted with two Marine Raider Gunnery Sergeants, if I were a rifle company commander, I would cut my right arm off to get either as my Company Gunnery Sergeant. The specialty battalions of WW2 (Raiders, Parachute, and Defense Battalions) were used to fill the amphibious assault waves of Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The WW2 Para-Marines had a saying; the last Para-Marine died on Iwo Jima. The Marine Corps needs those experienced combat professions in the rifle battalions as enlisted leaders to those shifty eyed, foul mouth, hard charging MARINEs. Semper Fi
Bob, right after 911 we, the CTCSG, brifed the SecDef and Gen Jones that SOF didn't have enough forces to execute the GWOT...and the MC needed to get on board! ( remember we the Corps said No to USSOCOM when it stood up Apr 16 1987,) CMCGen Jones agreed. This was the right thing to do...and about time. Our Grd infantry units are benefiting from MARFORSOC as we speak. We have FMF units training with Raider units at RAVEN Ex 2x a yr. The MC needs to keep and enhance MARFORSOC Units. That is the fight of the future. By, with, and through PN forces. We don't ever want to do Tarawa, IWO, or even Ramadi or Falluja again... we want the HN, or partner nation doing it. Respectfully
Michael I appreciate and respect your comments. I know a hectoring SECDEF thought he needed more SOF for the CT strategy in Afghanistan, unfortunately the Afghan Special Forces Command didn’t agree. I think (IMO) the real issue was the SECDEF was not satisfied and frustrated with Army SOF. SOCCOM was so excited about Fred Galvin’s Marine Raider Company arriving in Afghanistan “to help them”, they kicked them out of country after one operation recommending their court martial. It took Fred 12 years (and his career) to clear his name and the first Raider Company (A Few Bad Men). If you want to see how well SOCOM coordinates with regular battalions in the field read Victory Point: Operations Red Wing and Whalers. If the Marine Corps wants to add a Raider capability to the ARG (ie Direct Action Unit in a fourth company SOC) I am all for it. I will agree that the MC needs some MARFORSOC units but not a regiment of Raiders and not working for SOCCOM and not at the expense of recon battalions. Giving operational control of Marines to SOCCOM is a mistake. SOCCOM units will not be decisive is a war. Semper Fi
The Marine Corps IS a large Special Unit. By its very nature, structure and Title X mandate. It all went off the rails when some senior “managers” no doubt full of civilian higher education degrees and “joint” command posts, decided to make the Marine Corps so special that it damn near became irrelevant. This should come as no surprise in a way. When politicians want antiseptic warfare, drone attacks on order and take no responsibility for failures it seeps down, at some point human nature takes over, and values become for lack of a pleasant word, corrupted. Lions lying down with jackals soon compromise their status as king of the jungle.
The simple fact remains a fully complemented Marine Air Ground Corps with MAGTF combined arms to include MARSOC integration becomes a fighting force, not “eyes and ears” for whomsoever. By the way. why are our Marine “special operations” units part of another command or is the writer missing something important in that regard. Happy to be corrected but I want my Marines back, reporting to Marine commanders. Okay a little too parochial, but the point is made none the less.
FD whatever is a mess that needs unwinding fast, the more it lingers the more it rots the Corps from within. That all said when one listens to Major Schwartz and Major Keating on The Connecting Files in the last interview one can’t help to be enthused at the great and talented leadership at the ready to take charge of a reconstituted, fully integrated combined arms Marine Corps which is fully mobile and able to attack in any direction, at any time as directed. Helping to get things sorted and right for these guys only seems right.
Charlie, the MARFORSOC Units do belong to the MC. Gen Huntley is their boss. They are the MCs arm to SOF, like SEALS for USN, or SF/160th for US Army. But they support both the TSOS, TF and when deployed help the MEU...we have a SOFLE ( liason element) with the MEUs..Remember, "Special Operations" is what we do Marines is who we are!
Michael, many thanks for the schooling on the chain of command for MARFORSOC. It makes sense and I obviously misunderstood that piece of todays post. I have always felt that given time to properly train up, any rifle company in the Marine Corps could become pretty damn “special” and conduct at a minimum “raid operations” of some significance. Not necessarily the type that our enormously well qualified SOF in all branches are capable of, but smash and grab so to say. Hit hard, hit fast, blast, blind and burn and depart the area. It is heartening to see the Raider Battalion reinvigorated at a high tempo as well as other special operations Marine units operating at high port. But as it is so well noted here, the MAGTF IS Special. One can imagine the push back when Evans Carlson and Merritt Edson commanded the Raider Battalions, you can hear the cries of “why do we need them…we are all special.” But, clearly we did and do, and it just adds more flex to the commander who may need special units capable of special work within a larger mission. Again, the MAGTF is a brilliant home for all members of the family. As mentioned, when you hear Majors Schwartz and Keating speaking about DLAP, you feel very proud of these very bright hard charging Marine Officers, and also a bit jealous, they are training at high tempo and doing a lot of fun things! Oh well, the advantage of being old is you can think about the fun but not do the 20km ruck run with 70 pounds in your pack, as example!
Charlie, all good, as a young Marine Infantry and Reconnaissance LT- Capt I trained Thais, Qataris, French Foreign Legion, French Marines, Spanish SF, and KSA troops in tactical FID Ops. But we, MARFORSOC/SOF have now made an art of it. ( its one of our Core tasks) You would be amazed and proud of our young Sgts and SNCOs who are now briefing Ambassadors, Sr PN GO/FOs in foreign countries in strategic discussions on policy and strategy in their countries and simultaneously demonstrating great tactical acumen and sound leadership with the partner nation security forces. These kids are working at the Maj/ field grade level of planning and execution. And yes they are physical studs on the ground and in the Sea. I worked in the MARFORSOC G7 Raven EX as a contractor "certifying" the deploying units for the COMMARSOC CV2 program before they deployed! ( and still Humping and shooting) M2
You missed the Tgt here. Marine Reconnaissance units weren't "Special" they provided "close, distant and deep" surveillance and Reconnaissance to the Bn, MEB, and MEF. The MARFORSOC command provides the Marine Components to USSOCOM and its operational arm the TSOCs. The Marine Corps newest concepts doesn't discount " Combat ops" or " Close with and destroy.. yatayata" just does it smarter and with more technology advancements, i.e. drones, HIMARS, Cyber, raids ambushed, ship attacks etc. Think like our historical brothers the UK British Royal Marines 40, 42 CDO etc. That is the model. We don't want or need to do Tarawa or IWO ever again. China's SMF and it's A2AD capabilities would destroy the ARG/MEU/ MEB Fleet before it ever reached the AOR. We, the Corps, need to be a combination of Commando, Massad, ninja, Cyber spook, CIA analyst, and Ambassador. We are nolonger big guerilla's who just sit in the "Boxers stance" (CJCS Dunford analogy) we must be MMA fighters and the masters of many fighting techniques. Remember history in Vietnam Recon did "Stingray" (i.e id and execute tgts for deep strike CAS), and "Keyhole" (i.e strick recon only tgts don't get seen or compromised) operations . So this focus on Commando like Ops is exactly what CMC Gen Papa Bear Al Gray wanted. He said it.. "Our Marines are America's Commandos"
Sorry Michael but I ain’t buying this…”Combination of Commando, Massad, ninja, Cyber spook, CIA analyst” or SOCCOM, is not going to win a global peer-to-peer war with China and I don’t think none of those will even deter China from a war. As far as another Tarawa or Iwo, I hope not, but China’s A2AD capabilities is old school and we are witnessing its counter. Look at what is happening in Israel and the Red Sea. Arleigh-Burke Destroyers and the Iron Dome is knocking down missiles and drone very effectively. A2AD missiles are subject to targeting and they were not decisive in the Ukraine war. A2AD missiles are a weapons system that can be overcome. The US is behind on anti-missile defense but we are catching up.
When did the Navy and Marine Corps conduct an amphibious operation in WW2 when they didn’t control the air and the SLOCs. Controlling the SLOCs in a global war will bring the CCP to the table. We certainly don’t need to invade China. If Taiwan is invaded the decision to retake or reinforce it will be a political decision and not a Marine Corps decision.
“So this focus on Commando like Ops is exactly what CMC Gen Papa Bear Al Gray wanted. He said it. "Our Marines are America's Commandos"; sorry but I don’t buy that either…when I heard General Gray talk it was about the flexibility of the MAGTF that he worked very hard to enhance. He added a fourth company to the ARGs, yes they were SOC capable but he always increased combat power vs reduce it. He added the LAVs when the army was yelling “it ain’t a tank” there for it ain’t any good.
SOCCOM is important but they will not be decisive in a peer-to-peer war with the CCP.
"Polar bear" nice name... The last few Sr Service level War games (in OSINT/ UNCLASS) all showed the China's SMF decimated "the fleet" before it ever entered the AOR. They, China, can target with pin point accuracy our East and West Coast SPODS and APOEs... Sorry the truth hurts... Yes the Israeli/US dome is good... but we don't have that capability around the deployed Fleet... if it can deploy, as we saw lately with all the Maintenance problems the ARG/ MEUs are having. The Hezbollah, and Houthi's ASBM capability doesn't even come close to China's SMF A2AD environment. And Gen Gray did say it... He was a personal family friend ( he served with my FIL in Vietnam 3Xs) was my Div Cmdr as a young 0302/8026 and I wrote a thesis paper on it at AWS in the late 80's. Finally our goal/ strategy is not to do Peer to peer w/ China... but to get the regional partners strong enough so we don't have too, and Chinas doesn't want to! M2
Well I thought the discussion was about Marine Raiders...so tell me how Marine Raiders or turning the Marine Corps into a "Commandos" or how SOCCOM (with Marine Raiders) is going to solve the problems of A2AD and missile defense? or solve the Navy's ship building and maintenance issues? As we shift our strategic focus to the Pacific the other military services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) are on the hook to solve those issues. And they are working on those issues. What you are telling me is SOCCOM is attempting to strengthen our regional partners and that is a good thing. But why do they need Marine Raiders help with that mission? If SOCCOM mission is to train and strengthen our allies, great! … let them do it. But I don't think SOCCOM needs operational control of Marine Raiders to do it. I also think a little help from the State Department in the area of treaties and agreements would be of greater value.
I didn't say Gen Gray didn't say it, I did imply you may have misinterpreted his statements. For example, one of the General's significant contributions was FMFM 1 Warfighting that states "for our purposes war may range from intense clashes between large military forces - backed by an official declaration of war - to convert hostilities which barely reach the threshold of violence." I interpret that as saying the Marine Corps needs to be ready for all warfighting. I don't see how turning the Marine Corps into a commando is going to fulfill that statement.
The help SOCCOM provides to strengthen our allies will be far outweighed by US contributions of anti-missile defense and technology improvements in ships, missiles and aircraft that we pass to them. (Remember the Iron Dome is based on the Patriot anti-missile system that we gave Israel).
BTW US war deterrence for the CCP needs to be a global strategy and not just a Pacific focus. In addition to a good military strategy we also need a Great Power Competition Strategy and they need to be integrated.
Polar Bear> my comments about MARFORSOC is that they bring an extensive MC capability to USSOCOM as our, the MC component. They and USSOCOM as well as some very smart guys and gals in OSD/JS and Indo PACOM don't want a war with China. MARFORSOC provides additional capabilities to our, DoD, and CIAs ability to negatively effect China's Malign influence in the SEA region as well as globally. We do this through "Presence for Purpose" in those places China's OBOR construct is engaging. Hopefully by making those countries stronger and less reliant on China (as well as in AFRICOM to include Russia's "African Corps" [previously Wagner Grp], and Iran through its surrogates) . As to solving the problems of A2AD and missile defense? There are numerous SOF and DoD/ US business technologies in play for that... but the Navy/ MC must be realistic as to its ability to do an opposed amphibious operation like Tarawa or IWO in today's environment and technology age. The 5th SOF core truth states "Most SO require non SOF assistance" SOF AFO or pre war SA/IW and CNSO "Operations" look to degrade the enemies' C5I and technical and tactical capabilities. We don't solve the Navy's ship building and maintenance issues? That's The Navy's job! but the USN and MC need to reevaluate the capabilities of our normal Gray deck LPDs, LHAs etc... we need more NSS and NSAv or LPVs ( think Drug cartels mini subs) You asked "why do they need Marine Raiders help with that mission?" Because there is not enough SOF in the inventory to do the current level of WOT activities, ID/GPC as well as all the other Core SOF operations our GCC's/TSOCS are asking of USSOCOM and the SecDef. That analysis was done in 2003 hence why CMC Jones and SecDef Rumsfeld brought USSOCOM into USSOCOM. You said "SOCOM's mission is to train and strengthen our allies, great! … yes one of its Core tasks is CFID/FID and SCA, and the MC, through its Raiders, are part of that... its not going away. The last few CMCs and SecDefs agreed to that! As to "SOCOM needs for operational control of Marine Raiders" for BPC or SCA. The GCC through TSOCs get the OPCON of deployed SOF forces, in their AOR COMSOCOM is COCOM of all SOF to include MC Raiders. You are correct the DoS is critical in helping to id the capabilities we, DoD, need to enhance in those PNs ... its what's in the US Emb CountryTm and Regional Embassy plans... what we need to go in and focus on, as well as do PDSS's to evaluate and determine ground truth.
As to CMC Gen Grays comments...I didn't misinterpret his comments, as I personally gave him my paper, he was a close friend of the families, and was to attend my wedding as a young Recon Lt at CLNC. Your FMFM1 comment is correct... But he wanted a Light, Fast, very capable in technology MC... The previous SRIG was his idea. He stood it up w/ 2nd and 3rd, (my FIL was CMDR of 3rd SRIG (who also served as 2D RADBn and with Gen Gray in Vietnam) I agree the Corps "needs to be ready for all warfighting." but warfighting is changing.
The Iron Dome is great... we need one for the Fleet, or a Cloak of invisibility... or we are literally "Dead in the water" before we ever get to the AOR!
Finally there is an ID/GPC strategy... think "Porcupine theory" if you have access to SECRET look it up!
US Marine battalions are “specialty” units. Marines are specialist in amphibious assault and MAGTF operations. Marine Raiders are top notch but for combat operations they work for SOCCOM and not the Marine Corps. Why are we providing our best Marines to SOCCOM? Doesn’t SOCCOM have enough Army Special Forces units? Every Marine Raider I have met is an exceptional and experienced professional. I am acquainted with two Marine Raider Gunnery Sergeants, if I were a rifle company commander, I would cut my right arm off to get either as my Company Gunnery Sergeant. The specialty battalions of WW2 (Raiders, Parachute, and Defense Battalions) were used to fill the amphibious assault waves of Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The WW2 Para-Marines had a saying; the last Para-Marine died on Iwo Jima. The Marine Corps needs those experienced combat professions in the rifle battalions as enlisted leaders to those shifty eyed, foul mouth, hard charging MARINEs. Semper Fi
Bob, right after 911 we, the CTCSG, brifed the SecDef and Gen Jones that SOF didn't have enough forces to execute the GWOT...and the MC needed to get on board! ( remember we the Corps said No to USSOCOM when it stood up Apr 16 1987,) CMCGen Jones agreed. This was the right thing to do...and about time. Our Grd infantry units are benefiting from MARFORSOC as we speak. We have FMF units training with Raider units at RAVEN Ex 2x a yr. The MC needs to keep and enhance MARFORSOC Units. That is the fight of the future. By, with, and through PN forces. We don't ever want to do Tarawa, IWO, or even Ramadi or Falluja again... we want the HN, or partner nation doing it. Respectfully
M2
LtCol USMC ( Ret)
USSOCOM/ JSOC and MARFORSOC
Michael I appreciate and respect your comments. I know a hectoring SECDEF thought he needed more SOF for the CT strategy in Afghanistan, unfortunately the Afghan Special Forces Command didn’t agree. I think (IMO) the real issue was the SECDEF was not satisfied and frustrated with Army SOF. SOCCOM was so excited about Fred Galvin’s Marine Raider Company arriving in Afghanistan “to help them”, they kicked them out of country after one operation recommending their court martial. It took Fred 12 years (and his career) to clear his name and the first Raider Company (A Few Bad Men). If you want to see how well SOCOM coordinates with regular battalions in the field read Victory Point: Operations Red Wing and Whalers. If the Marine Corps wants to add a Raider capability to the ARG (ie Direct Action Unit in a fourth company SOC) I am all for it. I will agree that the MC needs some MARFORSOC units but not a regiment of Raiders and not working for SOCCOM and not at the expense of recon battalions. Giving operational control of Marines to SOCCOM is a mistake. SOCCOM units will not be decisive is a war. Semper Fi
The Marine Corps IS a large Special Unit. By its very nature, structure and Title X mandate. It all went off the rails when some senior “managers” no doubt full of civilian higher education degrees and “joint” command posts, decided to make the Marine Corps so special that it damn near became irrelevant. This should come as no surprise in a way. When politicians want antiseptic warfare, drone attacks on order and take no responsibility for failures it seeps down, at some point human nature takes over, and values become for lack of a pleasant word, corrupted. Lions lying down with jackals soon compromise their status as king of the jungle.
The simple fact remains a fully complemented Marine Air Ground Corps with MAGTF combined arms to include MARSOC integration becomes a fighting force, not “eyes and ears” for whomsoever. By the way. why are our Marine “special operations” units part of another command or is the writer missing something important in that regard. Happy to be corrected but I want my Marines back, reporting to Marine commanders. Okay a little too parochial, but the point is made none the less.
FD whatever is a mess that needs unwinding fast, the more it lingers the more it rots the Corps from within. That all said when one listens to Major Schwartz and Major Keating on The Connecting Files in the last interview one can’t help to be enthused at the great and talented leadership at the ready to take charge of a reconstituted, fully integrated combined arms Marine Corps which is fully mobile and able to attack in any direction, at any time as directed. Helping to get things sorted and right for these guys only seems right.
Charlie, the MARFORSOC Units do belong to the MC. Gen Huntley is their boss. They are the MCs arm to SOF, like SEALS for USN, or SF/160th for US Army. But they support both the TSOS, TF and when deployed help the MEU...we have a SOFLE ( liason element) with the MEUs..Remember, "Special Operations" is what we do Marines is who we are!
M2
Michael McCusker
LtCol USMC (Ret)
USSOCOM/ JSOC J5 and MARFORSOC G7Ex
Michael, many thanks for the schooling on the chain of command for MARFORSOC. It makes sense and I obviously misunderstood that piece of todays post. I have always felt that given time to properly train up, any rifle company in the Marine Corps could become pretty damn “special” and conduct at a minimum “raid operations” of some significance. Not necessarily the type that our enormously well qualified SOF in all branches are capable of, but smash and grab so to say. Hit hard, hit fast, blast, blind and burn and depart the area. It is heartening to see the Raider Battalion reinvigorated at a high tempo as well as other special operations Marine units operating at high port. But as it is so well noted here, the MAGTF IS Special. One can imagine the push back when Evans Carlson and Merritt Edson commanded the Raider Battalions, you can hear the cries of “why do we need them…we are all special.” But, clearly we did and do, and it just adds more flex to the commander who may need special units capable of special work within a larger mission. Again, the MAGTF is a brilliant home for all members of the family. As mentioned, when you hear Majors Schwartz and Keating speaking about DLAP, you feel very proud of these very bright hard charging Marine Officers, and also a bit jealous, they are training at high tempo and doing a lot of fun things! Oh well, the advantage of being old is you can think about the fun but not do the 20km ruck run with 70 pounds in your pack, as example!
Charlie, all good, as a young Marine Infantry and Reconnaissance LT- Capt I trained Thais, Qataris, French Foreign Legion, French Marines, Spanish SF, and KSA troops in tactical FID Ops. But we, MARFORSOC/SOF have now made an art of it. ( its one of our Core tasks) You would be amazed and proud of our young Sgts and SNCOs who are now briefing Ambassadors, Sr PN GO/FOs in foreign countries in strategic discussions on policy and strategy in their countries and simultaneously demonstrating great tactical acumen and sound leadership with the partner nation security forces. These kids are working at the Maj/ field grade level of planning and execution. And yes they are physical studs on the ground and in the Sea. I worked in the MARFORSOC G7 Raven EX as a contractor "certifying" the deploying units for the COMMARSOC CV2 program before they deployed! ( and still Humping and shooting) M2
You missed the Tgt here. Marine Reconnaissance units weren't "Special" they provided "close, distant and deep" surveillance and Reconnaissance to the Bn, MEB, and MEF. The MARFORSOC command provides the Marine Components to USSOCOM and its operational arm the TSOCs. The Marine Corps newest concepts doesn't discount " Combat ops" or " Close with and destroy.. yatayata" just does it smarter and with more technology advancements, i.e. drones, HIMARS, Cyber, raids ambushed, ship attacks etc. Think like our historical brothers the UK British Royal Marines 40, 42 CDO etc. That is the model. We don't want or need to do Tarawa or IWO ever again. China's SMF and it's A2AD capabilities would destroy the ARG/MEU/ MEB Fleet before it ever reached the AOR. We, the Corps, need to be a combination of Commando, Massad, ninja, Cyber spook, CIA analyst, and Ambassador. We are nolonger big guerilla's who just sit in the "Boxers stance" (CJCS Dunford analogy) we must be MMA fighters and the masters of many fighting techniques. Remember history in Vietnam Recon did "Stingray" (i.e id and execute tgts for deep strike CAS), and "Keyhole" (i.e strick recon only tgts don't get seen or compromised) operations . So this focus on Commando like Ops is exactly what CMC Gen Papa Bear Al Gray wanted. He said it.. "Our Marines are America's Commandos"
Respectfully
Spiritus Invictus, SemperFi, Essayons
"M2"
Michael McCusker
LtCol USMC (Ret)
GS 14/10 USSOCOM J5
Sorry Michael but I ain’t buying this…”Combination of Commando, Massad, ninja, Cyber spook, CIA analyst” or SOCCOM, is not going to win a global peer-to-peer war with China and I don’t think none of those will even deter China from a war. As far as another Tarawa or Iwo, I hope not, but China’s A2AD capabilities is old school and we are witnessing its counter. Look at what is happening in Israel and the Red Sea. Arleigh-Burke Destroyers and the Iron Dome is knocking down missiles and drone very effectively. A2AD missiles are subject to targeting and they were not decisive in the Ukraine war. A2AD missiles are a weapons system that can be overcome. The US is behind on anti-missile defense but we are catching up.
When did the Navy and Marine Corps conduct an amphibious operation in WW2 when they didn’t control the air and the SLOCs. Controlling the SLOCs in a global war will bring the CCP to the table. We certainly don’t need to invade China. If Taiwan is invaded the decision to retake or reinforce it will be a political decision and not a Marine Corps decision.
“So this focus on Commando like Ops is exactly what CMC Gen Papa Bear Al Gray wanted. He said it. "Our Marines are America's Commandos"; sorry but I don’t buy that either…when I heard General Gray talk it was about the flexibility of the MAGTF that he worked very hard to enhance. He added a fourth company to the ARGs, yes they were SOC capable but he always increased combat power vs reduce it. He added the LAVs when the army was yelling “it ain’t a tank” there for it ain’t any good.
SOCCOM is important but they will not be decisive in a peer-to-peer war with the CCP.
"Polar bear" nice name... The last few Sr Service level War games (in OSINT/ UNCLASS) all showed the China's SMF decimated "the fleet" before it ever entered the AOR. They, China, can target with pin point accuracy our East and West Coast SPODS and APOEs... Sorry the truth hurts... Yes the Israeli/US dome is good... but we don't have that capability around the deployed Fleet... if it can deploy, as we saw lately with all the Maintenance problems the ARG/ MEUs are having. The Hezbollah, and Houthi's ASBM capability doesn't even come close to China's SMF A2AD environment. And Gen Gray did say it... He was a personal family friend ( he served with my FIL in Vietnam 3Xs) was my Div Cmdr as a young 0302/8026 and I wrote a thesis paper on it at AWS in the late 80's. Finally our goal/ strategy is not to do Peer to peer w/ China... but to get the regional partners strong enough so we don't have too, and Chinas doesn't want to! M2
Well I thought the discussion was about Marine Raiders...so tell me how Marine Raiders or turning the Marine Corps into a "Commandos" or how SOCCOM (with Marine Raiders) is going to solve the problems of A2AD and missile defense? or solve the Navy's ship building and maintenance issues? As we shift our strategic focus to the Pacific the other military services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) are on the hook to solve those issues. And they are working on those issues. What you are telling me is SOCCOM is attempting to strengthen our regional partners and that is a good thing. But why do they need Marine Raiders help with that mission? If SOCCOM mission is to train and strengthen our allies, great! … let them do it. But I don't think SOCCOM needs operational control of Marine Raiders to do it. I also think a little help from the State Department in the area of treaties and agreements would be of greater value.
I didn't say Gen Gray didn't say it, I did imply you may have misinterpreted his statements. For example, one of the General's significant contributions was FMFM 1 Warfighting that states "for our purposes war may range from intense clashes between large military forces - backed by an official declaration of war - to convert hostilities which barely reach the threshold of violence." I interpret that as saying the Marine Corps needs to be ready for all warfighting. I don't see how turning the Marine Corps into a commando is going to fulfill that statement.
The help SOCCOM provides to strengthen our allies will be far outweighed by US contributions of anti-missile defense and technology improvements in ships, missiles and aircraft that we pass to them. (Remember the Iron Dome is based on the Patriot anti-missile system that we gave Israel).
BTW US war deterrence for the CCP needs to be a global strategy and not just a Pacific focus. In addition to a good military strategy we also need a Great Power Competition Strategy and they need to be integrated.
Polar Bear> my comments about MARFORSOC is that they bring an extensive MC capability to USSOCOM as our, the MC component. They and USSOCOM as well as some very smart guys and gals in OSD/JS and Indo PACOM don't want a war with China. MARFORSOC provides additional capabilities to our, DoD, and CIAs ability to negatively effect China's Malign influence in the SEA region as well as globally. We do this through "Presence for Purpose" in those places China's OBOR construct is engaging. Hopefully by making those countries stronger and less reliant on China (as well as in AFRICOM to include Russia's "African Corps" [previously Wagner Grp], and Iran through its surrogates) . As to solving the problems of A2AD and missile defense? There are numerous SOF and DoD/ US business technologies in play for that... but the Navy/ MC must be realistic as to its ability to do an opposed amphibious operation like Tarawa or IWO in today's environment and technology age. The 5th SOF core truth states "Most SO require non SOF assistance" SOF AFO or pre war SA/IW and CNSO "Operations" look to degrade the enemies' C5I and technical and tactical capabilities. We don't solve the Navy's ship building and maintenance issues? That's The Navy's job! but the USN and MC need to reevaluate the capabilities of our normal Gray deck LPDs, LHAs etc... we need more NSS and NSAv or LPVs ( think Drug cartels mini subs) You asked "why do they need Marine Raiders help with that mission?" Because there is not enough SOF in the inventory to do the current level of WOT activities, ID/GPC as well as all the other Core SOF operations our GCC's/TSOCS are asking of USSOCOM and the SecDef. That analysis was done in 2003 hence why CMC Jones and SecDef Rumsfeld brought USSOCOM into USSOCOM. You said "SOCOM's mission is to train and strengthen our allies, great! … yes one of its Core tasks is CFID/FID and SCA, and the MC, through its Raiders, are part of that... its not going away. The last few CMCs and SecDefs agreed to that! As to "SOCOM needs for operational control of Marine Raiders" for BPC or SCA. The GCC through TSOCs get the OPCON of deployed SOF forces, in their AOR COMSOCOM is COCOM of all SOF to include MC Raiders. You are correct the DoS is critical in helping to id the capabilities we, DoD, need to enhance in those PNs ... its what's in the US Emb CountryTm and Regional Embassy plans... what we need to go in and focus on, as well as do PDSS's to evaluate and determine ground truth.
As to CMC Gen Grays comments...I didn't misinterpret his comments, as I personally gave him my paper, he was a close friend of the families, and was to attend my wedding as a young Recon Lt at CLNC. Your FMFM1 comment is correct... But he wanted a Light, Fast, very capable in technology MC... The previous SRIG was his idea. He stood it up w/ 2nd and 3rd, (my FIL was CMDR of 3rd SRIG (who also served as 2D RADBn and with Gen Gray in Vietnam) I agree the Corps "needs to be ready for all warfighting." but warfighting is changing.
The Iron Dome is great... we need one for the Fleet, or a Cloak of invisibility... or we are literally "Dead in the water" before we ever get to the AOR!
Finally there is an ID/GPC strategy... think "Porcupine theory" if you have access to SECRET look it up!
Spiritus Invictus, SemperFi, Essayons
"M2"
LtCol USMC (Ret)
GS 14 USSOCOM J5 (Ret)
Contractor now!