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| The organization chart the Corps needs to change. |
Marines,
In 1991 and 2002 the Marine Corps Gazette published two articles that directly relate to [the current] downsizing of the U.S. Marine Corps while retaining a viable capability to seek out, close with and destroy the enemy.
The 1st was titled: "Twelve Brigades: A Blueprint for the Future" - which was published in April 1991 and discussed how the Corps could restructure itself in a regionally focused MEB-Centric Fighting Force capable of a wide range of operations.
The 2nd was titled: "Let's Organize and Train As We Would Fight" - which was published in October 2002 and made an excellent case for restructuring the MEFs into MAGTF-Centric vice MSC-Centric organizations.
I realize that to some, these essays are blasphemy but the simple fact of the matter is that our [future] budgets will be cut - ergo we, as a Corps of Marines, need to do our utmost to shape events rather that react to 'em. . . . And best way to begin that process is to think "out of box" - just like the authors of these two fine essays.
Tien len! Muon doc lap phai do mau!
Paul
Paul L. Stokes, Major USMC, Retired
Director of Operations
Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School
MCAGCC
29 Palms, CA 92278-8281
Question, shouldn't the Corps better define their new(future) warfighting concepts before they decide on a new organization. Simply shrinking the Corps but still fighting the same old way as in everybody is a rifleman may not be what the Corps needs in the future. Maybe they should be more like a few Marines preceded by a lot of from the Sea UMV's (unmanned Marine Vehicles).
ReplyDeleteAnonymous was me slapout9, still trying to figure out how to post stuff here....kinda difficult!
DeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteI hear you but the challenge that our Corps of Marines will face in this "Resource Constrained Environment" is the fact that the budget will dictate force structure and capabilities. Which is why we need to make the difficult decisions and create a strcture that retains the majority of our capabilites yet is affordable - and that is why I believe that a MEB-Centric Corps is way of the future. Furthermore, a MEB-Centric Corps will help avoid "The Hollow Force" that we had back in the late 1970s and early 1980s because we'll actually have the money to support the MEBs vice retaining paper MEFs, Divisions, MAWs and MLGs. Last year's CMC-directed Force Structure Review Group (FSRG) outlined a number of realignments/reductions that could assist us in this effort. And the sooner we design a Force Structure that is IAW with the results of FSRG and the current reality of reduced budget, the better our chances will be when it comes to fending off future cuts.
Tien len! Muon doc lap phai do mau!
Paul
Paul L. Stokes, Major, USMC, Ret
Director of Operations
Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School
MCAGCC 29 Palms CA
It's interesting that you linked Myer's article because he continues to write on-line about this same topic. His most recent is interesting. http://www.g2mil.com/okinawa-solution.htm
ReplyDeleteIn short, he wants to shift half the Marines from "Okinawan resorts where they are not wanted or needed", to naval roles aboard U.S. Navy ships and bases, while cutting some 5000 headquarters and support personnel on Okinawa rather than combat units.