Sun Tzu's masterpiece, The Art of War, was written sometime around 500 BC. Since then, for 2,500 years, every translation, every adaptation, every interpretation has been discussed and debated among military professionals. The discussion and debate never end. The discussion and debate never will end.
This year, the Marine Corps celebrates its 247th birthday. For 247 years the Marine Corps has helped keep the United States prosperous and free. How long have leaders of Marines discussed and debated the best ways to organize, equip, train, and deploy Marines? Obviously, the answer is not one year or two years, discussion and debate have been ongoing for 247 years.
What is the right number, 247, 248, 249? When should the discussion and debate over FD 2030 come to an end? Some claim the discussion and debate should end immediately. Some say it should have been over months ago.
Certainly most Americans, busy with other responsibilities, have no interest in shouldering the burden of improving the Marine Corps. But for those stewards of the Marine Corps, leaders of Marines, along with friends and supporters of the Marine Corps, the work of debating the Marine Corps' present and future is work that never ends.
As long as Compass Points exists, it will serve as an independent voice. It will never parrot official talking points or positions. Anyone seeking the official Marine Corps position on FD 2030 should seek out the official publications. Compass Points exists to provide broader thinking, deeper understanding, and better decisions for a stronger Marine Corps.
End the discussion about FD 2030? End the discussion about the best ways to organize, equip, train and deploy Marines? Nonsense. Compass Points stands with John Paul Jones, we have not yet begun to fight.
In his article at Military.com (link below) author, Gary Anderson, writes that instead of too much debate about FD 2030, there has hardly been any.
Military.com Octorber 5, 2022
Can Congress Save the Marine Corps from Itself?
By Gary Andeson
In a recent speech to the Marine Corps Association, the current commandant, Gen. David Berger, congratulated his Marines on having an open and honest debate concerning his Force Design (FD) 2030 initiative, which eliminated all the service's tanks, much of its tubed artillery, many helicopters and its heavy engineering capability, and drastically reduced Marine Corps infantry strength.
My question is: What debate? Incoming students at the Marine Corps professional education schools are told in no uncertain terms that the restructured service is a done deal and not up for discussion. The only articles in service-specific publications that have seriously questioned the premises or execution of FD 2030 have been by retired Marines or independent analysts. The new doctrine was developed behind closed doors by the commandant and a close circle of trusted advisers. No input from the rest of the active duty or the retired members of the Corps was solicited. . . .
Gary Anderson was the director of Marine Corps Wargaming, and chief of staff of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. He lectures on Wargaming and Alternative Analysis (Red Teaming) at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/opinions/2022/10/05/can-congress-save-marine-corps-itself.html