Compass Points – Wiser Heads Have Prevailed!!
Plus, the Mystery of the Preface to Nowhere.
As readers recall, Compass Points and Chowder II had arranged with the Gazette to publish the four articles introducing Vision 2035. The articles were first written, then reviewed and approved by the Gazette, then publishing dates were agreed upon, and finally proof copies for publication were prepared by the Gazette staff.
The four articles introducing Vision 2035 (with their original agreed upon publication dates):
Vision 2035
Global Response in the Age of Precision Munitions.
The Preface - Who is Chowder II? Nov 29 (published online as agreed)
The Concerns - Fatal Flaws in FD 2030. Nov 30 (not published as agreed)
The Choice - Retreat to defense or retake the offense? Dec 1 (not published as agreed)
The Vision - Global response, today and tomorrow. Dec 2 (not published as agreed)
The Preface was published in the online Gazette as agreed and will be published in the paper version of the January Gazette. The other three articles were unexpectedly delayed by the Gazette and until now the three articles did not have new publication dates.
Compass Points has said several times that the Gazette should be the Marine Corps’ home for professional discussion and debate. Compass Points has been hopeful that wiser heads would prevail. Compass Points wants the three remaining articles published so Vision 2035 can be fully introduced and fully debated. Now, Compass Points is pleased to announce that publication dates for the three articles are set. Wiser heads have prevailed.
During these days of discussion with the Gazette, a Compass Points reader has written in to relate a story about the Gazette during years gone by. Occasionally over the years, there have been people who believe the Gazette should not give attention to new ideas.
I recall a meeting in the Gazette conference room. It was the mid 1980's, before maneuver warfare was adopted by the Marine Corps. I had been invited by the then Gazette Editor, retired Colonel John Greenwood. In attendance were members of the Gazette editorial board and others - including me, then a frequent contributor of letters and articles. I had several subjects in mind for future publication. Colonel Greenwood thought I should run through some of my ideas and get any suggestions Board members might have.
The most distinguished attendee was a visitor, a very senior representative from HQMC. Everyone in the room already knew why he had come. There had been grumbles and complaints that the Gazette had been giving too much attention to maneuver warfare. The senior representative had traveled to Quantico from Washington intent on convincing Colonel Greenwood and the board to “dial back” all the maneuver warfare articles. In the opinion of some, recently published articles had "crossed the line.”
When his turn came, the senior representative rose to speak. He began with a polite and friendly greeting, followed by some thanks and congratulations on the magazine's reputation for professionalism and candor.
After only a few minutes of this, however, his tone and expression changed to "This Is Serious" and his words took on a somewhat officious air.
"Now, here's why I'm here . . ."
I quickly looked over where Col. Greenwood was sitting. I expected him to be grim and serious, or maybe even angry. To my surprise, he was smiling and perfectly relaxed. Before the senior representative could even begin his list of complaints, Colonel Greenwood, stood up.
A smiling and laughing Colonel Greenwood looked at the speaker and said, "Here it comes!"
The senior representative was surprised. He looked around the whole room. Everyone was smiling and laughing now. The senior representative realized, "I'm done.” He dropped his serious manner and became friendly again. No one needed to say more. In his own unique way, Colonel Greenwood had fended off an attempt to meddle with the Gazette.
-- Colonel Michael Duncan Wyly, USMC (ret) Co-author Maneuver Warfare Handbook
Now, as Compass Points mentioned, there is news on the publishing of Vision 2035. Wiser heads have prevailed. The three remaining articles introducing Vision 2035 will be published this coming Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. That is the good news. Unfortunately, the sad news is the three articles will NOT be published in the Gazette. At the Gazette, wiser heads have not prevailed. Instead, the three articles will be published in a national publication that wants to host a discussion and debate about the future of the Marine Corps. A strong and healthy Marine Corps is vital to our nation. Starting this Monday, the necessary discussion and debate will begin. More details to follow.
Which leaves only one last question, what is The Preface, prefacing? The January (paper) edition of the Marine Corps Gazette will contain The Preface, the first of the four articles introducing Vision 2035. Now that the Gazette will not publish the remaining 3 articles, however, Gazette readers will be left to ponder, what is The Preface prefacing? In the January Gazette, it will be a Preface to nowhere. Perhaps Gazette readers will search their copy of the Gazette from front to back, and then from back to front, searching for the missing information about Vision 2035. But no matter how hard they look, Gazette readers will not find the better way forward. Stand by Compass Points readers, the better way forward is coming to you.
MCG has given ample time/space to chowder. Until chowder is out in the open and transparent, MCG is spot on. The editor edits and decides. And yes, the CMC has a vote on what is considered/published. And no, that fact is not political. Lets move on and support the CMC efforts to killing the enemy.
Question: Has the Gazette been so politicized that it is afraid of serious earnest debate and is now a political arm of HQMC?