Ideas & Issues - Marine Corps Association

The Floating Forward Operating Base MEU

A blueprint for the Marine Corps of 2035 Executive Summary The MEU of 2035 must evolve to remain relevant in the face of precision-strike threats, ubiquitous surveillance, and rapid technological

Forward, Flexible, Formidable, and Relevant

Today’s Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit Since its inception, the MEU has embarked on an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and continues to serve as the preeminent example of the contribution

Decision-Advantage

The case for Marine Corps ISR enterprise transformation The Marine Corps stands at a pivotal crossroads, a moment of profound transformation that will define its relevance and effectiveness in the

Gendarmerie de Marjah

Success at ground level Marjah, Afghanistan, was the financial base and perceived Taliban “heart of darkness” prior to Operation MOSHTARAK in early 2010.1 After a few months, the political perception

Bulldozers to Baghdad

Marine Corps combat D9 dozers in the Iraq War Marines have always emphasized high-speed mobility. We place a premium on acquiring equipment that is lighter and faster. But sometimes, particularly

Sensing in the Shadows

Integrating autonomous and human intelligence for decision superiority in the Pacific Modernizing Intelligence for Distributed Littoral Operations In April 2023, in response to former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy

Mobilizing the Marine Corps

Why the Service is incapable of repeating June 1950 When the Korea People’s Army stormed across the 38th parallel on 25 June 1950, the Republic of Korea Army and the

Mobilization as a Theory of Victory

Deploying all elements of national defense Vignette On 1 August 2027—the 100th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army—the Chinese Communist Party launches a preplanned invasion of Taiwan. The operation begins

On That First Day on Guadalcanal

Why so little Japanese resistance? During the months after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and other Asian targets, the United States was driven from the Philippines, the British surrendered Malaya, Singapore,

I Didn’t Sign Up for This

Civilian contractors in combat at Wake Island To compete globally in the 21st century, the U.S. military must rely on civilian contractors to manage vital logistical systems. However, war does

Someone to Light the Path

Morals, ethics, and self-assessment Whom Shall I Send? “All around our society, you see immoral behavior … lying, cheating, stealing, drug and alcohol abuse, prejudice, and a lack of respect