Compass Points - Two Years
For a stronger Marine Corps
Compass Points - Two Years
For a stronger Marine Corps
October 1, 2024
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Two years ago today, on October 1, 2022, Compass Points opened its doors as an independent source for broader thinking, deeper understanding, and better decisions, for a stronger Marine Corps. Over the last two years, thousands of readers and their millions of views have helped fuel the discussion about the future of the Marine Corps.
Across nearly 800 posts of commentary, interviews, news reports, satire stories, poems, and tremendous reader comments, one lesson has been learned and re-learned. Marines are rightfully proud of their service and very protective of their Corps. No matter how long they served, Marines and friends of the Marine Corps expect their Corps to be the best. The entire Nation expects the Marine Corps to be the best. There is no alternative for Marines or for the Marine Corps.
To be the best, the Marine Corps must continually strive to be better. As new threats emerge, as new technologies develop, the Marine Corps must continually experiment, adapt, improve, and grow stronger. Today's performance is never good enough. Tomorrow's must be better.
This is the kind of challenge most people want no part of. Most young people today do not want to serve in the military. Of those who do consider military service, most have no interest in becoming a Marine. Only a few are attracted to the challenge. Most civilians say a person would have to be crazy to want to be a Marine. Maybe they are right. Thankfully, the Marine Corps does not need most people. The Marine Corps has never needed the timid, the weak, or the faint of heart. The Marine Corps only needs the few.
Marines are not afraid to fight the enemies of the United States and Marines are not afraid to fight for a stronger Marine Corps. A new challenge and new struggle began back in 2019 with the publication of the Commandant's Planning Guidance. The CPG was filled with new theories. Marines are in favor of doing things better, so at first there was support for the new theories.
But as months went by, the shine began to wear off. As the holes, gaps, and defects in the new CPG were exposed, there was growing unease across the broad Marine community. Questions asked received no answers. Worse, deeper discussion was discouraged. Marines, particularly those no longer on active duty, grew frustrated at the lack of answers, explanations, and accountability. As the months and years went by after 2019, Marines in ones and twos, and then in small groups, began to think the Marine Corps might be off course.
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Is the Marine Corps on the right track?
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When Compass Points began two years ago, it grew quickly as Marine veterans realized they were not alone in their doubts and questions, many others felt the same -- many, many others. Among the groups with questions about the direction of the Marine Corps, was and is a group of retired senior officers who call themselves the Chowder II Society. Chowder II has been an early and consistent supporter of Compass Points. Compass Points does not have all the answers. Compass Points has questions. Is the Marine Corps as strong as it should be? Is the Marine Corps on the right track? How can the Marine Corps move in a better direction?
To produce the nearly 800 posts over the first two years has required the volunteer efforts of numerous writers, researchers, and editors. Every post is a team effort. The most important members of the Compass Points team are readers. Without readers there would be no discussion, no copies of Compass Points sent from email to email, and no debate over cups of coffee or mugs of brew. Compass Points is made for readers and for discussion. And readers and discussion make Compass Points. All those involved day after day in creating, discussing, and sharing Compass Points are united in one goal: to help build a stronger Marine Corps.
The challenges facing the US have grown more serious over the last two years. Compass Points thanks readers for their help and support over the last two years and asks for more help from readers. In the coming year, help spread the discussion on Compass Points. Leave a like or a comment. Encourage a friend to subscribe to Compass Points. Share Compass Points widely. As discussion grows, as participation increases from every corner of the broad Marine community, the Marine Corps will grow stronger today and even stronger tomorrow.
In the face of growing worldwide threats and challenges, the US goes on. The Marine Corps also goes on. And the fight goes on for a stronger Marine Corps. Many thanks to all the Marines and friends of the Corps who are working to upgrade and enhance today's Marine Corps so that when the next crisis erupts, the Marine Corps will be ready.
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The
Marine
Toolbox
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Marines stand on guard, aboard ships at sea,
Ready to launch their combined-arms machine.
Rescue, and safeguard, give aid, and much more.
Locate, close with, and crush every foe.
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Marines are a toolbox kept near Uncle Sam.
For fast resolution when troubles expand.
Today, there's concern ‘bout the tools in that set.
Will Sam find Marines prepared for what's next?
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It’s due to a theory, a Force Design mess,
That sadly has made a Marine Corps that's less.
The Marine Corps is less when its tools are removed.
When assets are taken, that battles have proved.
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Remove battalions?
You've taken a tool.
Remove artillery?
You've taken a tool.
And remove the tanks?
You've taken a tool.
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Reduce the number of flying frames?
Reduce the number of fighting Marines?
It all destroys the combined-arms machine!
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Why let a theory, a Force Design mess,
Deliver to Sam a Marine Corps that’s less?
The next U.S. crisis is just out of sight.
We'll need all the help, Marines must provide.
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Tubes, tanks, and support, plus Marines in the air,
Give Marines on the ground the power to dare.
Let’s add the new drones, and latest high tech,
But make sure the Marines, stay in the attack!
It's not just the red stripe, or swords that still gleam,
But the skill and might of combined-arms Marines!
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Marines are a toolbox, kept near Uncle Sam,
For fast resolution when troubles expand.
And, sure as tomorrow, we'll face a new war,
Let’s fill Marine toolbox, as full as before.
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(C) JDK - Compass Points
Excellent observations here!