Vision 2035 – What Readers Say
Compass Points reader DH provided a comment on Vision 2035. Clearly, DH has strong disagreements with Force Design 2030. But DH does not just disagree. He goes on to discuss his solution: the modern, upgraded, lethal, capable Marine MAGTF.
Thank you for your contribution DH!
VISION 2035: THE STRATEGIC TIP OF THE SPEAR
DH:
FD 2030 is a strategic catastrophe. It is a colossal lack of strategic thinking at multiple levels. The Commander-in-Chief no longer has a “Balanced MAGTF.” What was once our Nation’s tip of the spear, 911 force of lethality, has become mere “Stand in Forces” (SIF) with short range missiles to perhaps sink a rival’s ship.
The weaknesses of FD 2030 are growing. The ongoing development of offensive/defensive surface, sub-surface and air delivered hypersonic missiles are already dismantling the FD 2030 paradigm. More importantly, defending against hypersonic / long range missiles should be one more motivating factor to upgrade our Nation’s 911 force lethality.
The overarching combat lethality of the “Balanced MAGTF” has been reduced in infantry, artillery, armor, and aviation. The geographical Combatant Commanders at the operational level, and commanders at the tactical level, are now FD 2030 constrained by a lack of lethality. There are too few boots on the ground and too few combined arms assets.
Leaders of Marines should see these problems. Promising Officers are sent to Command and Staff Schools. War Colleges beckon the Flag Officers. Officers study, discuss, and focus on the theory of war and all that entails. The reading is intense. Our emerging leaders become competent at the operational and tactical levels, but our military colleges graduate very few strategic thinkers. Thinking at the operational level is enhanced; but the comfort zone of tactical level thinking tends to prevail. The Marine Corps Gazette mostly publishes operational and tactical articles.
But thankfully, over the recent decades, the Marine Corps has been blessed by a warrior class of true strategic thinkers. These strategic warriors constructed the most feared military force the world has ever known. They led the construction of the modern, highly lethal, Marine Corps MAGTF with a Spiritual Ethos. They made sure America’s 911 Force, the “Balanced MAGTFs” were always afloat on faraway oceans. The mere presence of a Marine MAGTF reassures nations, protects the sea lanes of commerce, and keeps every nation’s economy better secured.
The Marine MAGTF is an instrument of diplomacy for peace, and yet a strategic hammer on patrol. Enough cannot be said about the great things the Marine MAGTF, America’s 911 Force, has done for the free world. To even consider dismantling the Marine MAGTF is an epic strategic disaster.
The Chowder Society II, led by Generals Krulak and Zinni, will overcome the unfortunate detour of FD 2030. They are blessed to have working with them a combat experienced team of Marine Corps Flag Officers and a legion of others as well. These leaders will restore our Nation’s 911 Force lethality to where it once was -- and more. Restoring and upgrading the Marine MAGTF to its latest, most modern, most lethal version will be a great victory for Chowder II, for our Corps, and for our Nation.
D. H. - Class of 1980 US Naval War College Seminar Leader, Senior Marine Corps Representative US Army War College 1982-85
Agree, there are few strategic thinkers in the Corps. Most of the criticism is of tactical focus. FD 2030 is not of tactical focus. It will save the Corps from irrelevancy. By the way, Brad, nothing in FD 2030 removes the capabilities of the MAGTF. Read it again.
Current SecDef , CMC , CNO are all tools of the Left and view a strong American defense as a last vestige of colonialism ! The FD2030 is a unsustainable , short sided , expedient dismantling of the USMC under the guise of forward thinking ! Bring back the multi faceted MAGTF , aggressive MC leadership on such and a true policy to protect this Country ! SF. BSM (Ret)