Vision 2035 – Top Comments
Compass Points says, “Thank You!’ Compass Points appreciates the reader response to the posts about Vision 2035 over the last four days. The posts introducing Vision 2035 have been read more than 8,500 times on Compass Points. Compass Points posts are also passed along through dozens and dozens of large email groups, each with hundreds and even thousands of readers.
The articles themselves, online at National Interest, have been read more than 21,000 times. The readers on Compass Points and on National Interest are not a random, general interest audience. These readers are a select group of thought leaders: military, academic, political, and analytical experts. They represent a portion of the broad national security community that helps steer United States security policy.
There is no final answer to national security policy. It is like sailing a great ship. The work never ends. There is only ongoing study, research, discussion, commentary, and progress. It takes ongoing contributions from the entire national security community.
Compass Points has received tremendous feedback to the introduction of Vision 2035, some of it online, some in personal emails, and some in conversations. Nearly all the feedback has been perceptive and professional. Compass Points has amazing readers and contributors!
Of course, not everyone agrees with every Compass Points post or with Vision 2035. One reader commented, “The more opposition is written, the sillier you guys sound.” Maybe that is true. But what seems more true is when a rushed concept like Force Design 2030 makes a Marine Corps that is weaker today than yesterday, that is more than silly; it is sad.
In one case this week, Compass Points received a series of hostile comments from a reader about Vision 2035, Compass Points, and the Chowder II Society. Later, though, all the hostile comments were deleted. The comments were not deleted by Compass Points, but by the commentor himself. Interesting.
Some regular commentors have shared insightful comments including Cfrog, G.I., J.D, Mako and many others.
One of the top recent comments was provided by MWBEL0302. He commented on the December 12, 2022 post, “Compass Points – A Dunkirk Moment”
When I first became aware of FD2030 and then read the particulars, I was at first struck with the thought that this initiative is very narrow in scope with regard to a future foe. My next thoughts were around ingress/ egress of small units from within the PLA’s lethality zone. Next I was concerned about the logistics involved in resupply of many small units by sea and air while in the same lethality zone. The notion of these units being inserted , resupplied ,and withdrawn in stealth was bothersome in that the PLA has excellent means of observation and the ability to strike based upon them. Next concern is the idea of eliminating armor, some field artillery, and air assets in the hope that the Navy will fully sign on and build the ships necessary to support this . That is not a guarantee. As we all are aware, once something is discarded and unfunded it is extremely difficult to recover. Lastly and equally concerning are the proposed changes to the very core of what makes Marines. The very notion of entering service with rank and without the rights of passage and skills we all experienced plus the invaluable knowledge base associated with them is anathema to our professionalism , culture , and differentiation from the other services.
I am equally disturbed by the notion of quelling open and robust discussion. I do not view opposing thoughts from highly respected voices with hundreds of years experience as something to dismiss because it falls outside the dictates of , in relative terms, a small group of individuals who temporarily have control of our Corps. The dissent ,as I see it, is not some knee jerk reaction but well thought out questions, concerns , and requests for more visible and inclusive conversations before we jump into an abyss we will have difficulty crawling out of if this endeavor falls flat.
I have always has respect for the MCG as a highly professional journal that was a forum for all thoughts and discussion. I am troubled that it seems to be subject to pressure to limit the ability of those of us who have grave concerns over FD 2030 and what it may portend for the future of the Corps
Many thanks to MWBEL0302, and to all Compass Points readers and commentors. Compass Points and the larger national security effort need input from experienced and perceptive contributors. Read, comment, contribute. Get involved. That is how national security policy is steered. Setting the course is an important part of sailing a great ship. But ships always drift off course. So, another important part of sailing a great ship is course correction.
Great post; congratulations to Chowder II and to Compass Points for getting Vision 2035 published in its entirety.
“ Setting the course is an important part of sailing a great ship”: when it comes to the future defense of our nation, we are all plank owners with an equal stake as Marines and Citizens. Yes, the CMC is the office and individual charged with the final authority and responsibility to make the decisions, but that does not mean all decisions are sacrosanct and beyond question, privately or publicly.