Compass Points - Week in Review

Plus, financial pledges

Apr 28, 2024

Plus, financial pledges

April 28, 2024

Happy Sunday!

Sunday is a good day to look back at the week. On Monday, we began with the release of the full PDF version of Vision 2035 - A New Way Forward for the Marine Corps. Tuesday continued with a report on Balikatan 2024 as well as the situation in Niger. Wednesday drilled down deeper on common phrases. On Thursday we discussed delays in the SASC. Friday reported on the use of drones in Ukraine. We ended the week with some outstanding reader comments.

Monday 22 April – Free!

To kick-off the series of forthcoming publications, Compass Points presents Vision 2035. Vision 2035 is a compilation of much of the best thinking on a better way forward for the Marine Corps. In one brief volume, Vision 2035 discusses the defects of the Force Design detour, and offers an outline of where the Marine Corps should go from here. The paperback version of Vision 2035 is not available yet and would likely be listed for the special Marine Corps price of $17.75. But the full volume of Vision 2035 is available for download now in PDF form -- see link below -- at the price of FREE.

https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-free

Tuesday 23 April - Balikatan & Niger

While the US military is busy with a major exercise in the South China Sea, Balikatan 2024, what about Niger?

Far away from exercise Balikatan 2024, the US is getting kicked out of Niger. The Marine Times gently reports, "The US military will begin plans to withdraw troops from Niger." A less gentle headline is from Monica Showalter at the American Thinker, "U.S. hands over $110m base to Niger junta to release 1,000 U.S. Army hostages, watches helplessly as base goes to Russia."

The larger point is US adversaries, including China, pose a series of global threats. The Marine crisis response progression from MEU to MEB to MEF gives US policy makers instant options around the globe.

https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-balikatan-and-niger

Wednesday 24 April - Drill Down Deeper

Smooth Phrase - MEUs are a "persistent, global, forward presence."

Drill Down Deeper - Current Marine Corps leadership often say they have an unwavering commitment to making sure MEUs have a persistent, global forward presence. Those are nice sounding words and a worthy goal. Unfortunately, that is not the reality around the globe. Today Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) are not forward deployed year-round as they have been in the past. Today, there are weeks and months when there is no MEU available in entire regions of the globe. There is no MEU now in either the Persian Gulf or in the Mediterranean and no estimate of how many months will go by without one.

https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-drill-down-deeper

Thursday 25 April - SASC Postpones

Apparently, the Marine Corps' overdue report on Force Design has been submitted to Congress. But it is not clear if the briefing of the report has been scheduled, or if the Department of Defense has selected the FFRDC to investigate Force Design.

It is also possible that Senators are busy reading the latest articles by author and Marine Gary Anderson. Writing in The American Spectator, Gary Anderson forcefully argues that Force Design, instead of modernizing the Marine Corps and making it stronger has, instead, weakened the Marine Corps' combined arms fighting force.

https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-sasc-postpones

Friday 26 April - Drone Attack

Are drones a critical new weapon on the battlefield today and tomorrow? Undoubtedly. Drones are both a new tool and a new threat. But every new technology generates new counter technologies. No amount of drones or anti-drone technology will prevent future conflicts and crises around the globe. US policy makers will always need military options when a crisis erupts. When US Navy amphibious ships loaded with a Marine Expeditionary Unit are out on patrol and are backed up by Maritime Prepositioning Ships and additional fly-in forces from the much larger Marine Expeditionary Force, not only do policy makers have more options, but adversaries are deterred, and allies assisted.

https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-drone-attack

Saturday 27 April - Cogent Comments

The US is being challenged around the world by ongoing threats and conflicts. What will happen next? No one knows. No matter what happens, however, there is no doubt Compass Points readers will have insightful analysis and comment. For example, a recent comment from "cfrog."

"I think most Marine Officers really want to see the Corps bring the heat, especially with this generation. They are just swimming into unfavorable currents and learning the hard way. I really think the opportunities over the next 3 years at the company grade and field grade level (not to mention our NCO and junior SNCOs) to have an impact on future force construction and doctrine level are unparalleled." --cfrog

https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-cogent-comments

====================

Compass Points appreciates all the great discussion this week and thanks all our readers who served as seminar leaders this week by providing topics, articles, and comments. Many thanks!

- - - - -

Reader Pledges

Compass Points is honored to have been offered thousands of dollars of financial support from readers. While Compass Points is grateful for the generosity of readers to offer financial support, at this point, Compass Points is self-sustaining so none of the pledges have been accepted. Compass Points is a place for open, professional, discussion about national security and the future of the Marine Corps. It is the readers of Compass Points who inspire and inform the conversation. There is a broad community of Marines, including active-duty Marines, Marine veterans, and friends of the Corps. It will take the entire community working together to upgrade and enhance the current Marine Corps so it can always be strong today and stronger tomorrow.

Some readers have left comments with their pledges explaining why they want to give. One example is Big Sue. Big Sue offered a financial pledge and left a comment explaining why: "I am the mother of four Marines and the widow of a Marine injured in war! "

Like so many Compass Points readers, Big Sue has given so much to Corps and Country and yet she is still giving today. Congrats to Big Sue and all our readers. Many thanks for what you have done, what you are doing, and who you are.

Recent comments from readers about why they pledge:

Alfredo "Al" Arguedas

"First and foremost, I'm proud, blessed, to be a Marine for near 60 years...since Earning the Title of US Marine upon graduating from MCRD Parris Island in October 1965. I believe in MCCP's value to our Corps during this critical time in history is essential. It is the voice in the wilderness crying out to restore our values, traditions, history as the finest group of Warfighters in the world."

Portlandsteve

"I want to see true discussion about the transformation of our Corps & if more units (like my engineers) can be brought back in the 2030 plan."

Thomas V Draude

"The voice crying in the wilderness...thank God!"

.

bagsetc

"We have to get the Marine Corps back to the capability to be America's 911 force."

wlazarus

"I really want to support you because... ...that's what Marines do."

BigSue11

"I am the mother of four Marines and the widow of a Marine injured in war!"

James

"It appears to be a real independent source."

JC Hardee

"I believe your articles accurately point out the serious problems with FD 25-30. You also do a great job describing solutions to the changes wrought by Gen Berger and Gen Smith. "

serichmond

"Retired Marine just trying to keep up..."

Paul E Backs

"I spent 3 years as the Aviation Officer Plans Officer in MPP at HQMC Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Although my experience is in aviation manpower structure, I'm very interested in Force 2030. It just doesn't seem to pass the smell test."

Drummy1

"I am a Marine."

cwo4jps

"The depth and breathe of your articles remind me of the Marine Corps Gazette that I used to read, great reading."

TM

"I love the Corps"

Harry Alfeo

"I care about the readiness and safety of our Marines on active duty under this woke commandant Semper Fi Korea 12/51 to 12/52"

Bob Whitener

"The existence of the USMC of the nation’s amphibious ready force is at risk because of the push for EABO and FD 2030. The Divest to Invest policy is nonsensical foolishness at the highest levels."

carl29098

"Thank you for what you are doing. I'm just an 0311 from Viet Nam, did Operation Starlight under Gen. Lewis Walt. He was a great leader. Berger couldn't carry his socks, he's just an angry politician with an agenda. Keep going, there are a lot of us out here who love the Corps and will support you. Semper Fi."

Michael T Gerdau

"The Marine Corps is my Life!"

John

"Well written. Easy to follow. Straight scoop"

Polarbear

"I support Marine Compass Points in order to correct a error in judgement. Semper Fi"

Samuel Whittemore

"America and its Marine Corps must be saved!"

Mike Betts

"I enjoy the content, even if I don't always agree with it."

allermann

"Articles are thought provoking. Compass Points allows the subscriber to absorb the collective knowledge of many authors based on their personal experiences, whether for or against a particular topic. This blend of ideas assists the reader into formulating a clearer perspective on these critical issues. "

Jack Murray

"We are headed to be a subset of the US Army unless we change back immediately."

Terry Carlson

"I’m concerned how the Marine Corps is going. It gives me a place to submit my ideas and opinions. I’m hoping I can network with other Marines of like mind. I served in the Marines from ‘64 -‘68. My generation is very upset, and sad about what has happened to the Marines. "

Peter Meyer

"Another viewpoint."

Patrick Dumas

"As a Marine I want to keep myself up to date on developments in the finest fighting force on the planet."

Paul Van Riper

"Great site with important information. "

mikeandlynn

"I love the Marine Corps and I love America. I don't want to see our strength compromised. Semper Fi, Michael C. Howard, Col. US Marines (Ret)."

Compass Points - Week in Review

Plus, financial pledges