On the first day of Modern Day Marine 2022, Marine Corps leaders provide updates on Force Design 2030, focusing on experimentation, logistics, an maritime operations in the littorals. Throughout the day, speakers described the concepts and initiatives currently underway, while maintaining a focus on the individual Marine and the role human factors play in the future success of the Marine Corps.
The Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, and Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, provided introductory remarks on the current state of the Marine Corps and Force Design 2030 efforts. Berger described the technological fluency and experience of Marines who join the Marine Corps today and how the Service can leverage these personal characteristics and translate them into operational success.
“What we’ve learned over the past three years is that we can do much more to identify those skills, those interests, and then align them individually to the needs of the Marine Corps,” said Berger.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps also emphasized the unique role an operational capabilities of the Marine Corps, particularly those provided by a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked on the U.S. Navy ships of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Coupled with emerging technologies like Uncrewed Surface Vessels and underwater drones, the welldeck of an amphibious ship enables a host of capabilities, including reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance.
“The MEU has been the crown jewel of the Marine Corps for decades, and will continue well into the future,” said Berger. “They have capabilities that cannot be replicated by any other part of the joint force. No platform, no unit, is capable of a more diverse set of missions across the range of military operations than an ARG/MEU.”
At the Congressional Breakfast, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, reiterated the importance of the human element of warfare, and the requirement to ensure the Marine Corps invests not only in systems, but in people. “Warfare is a human activity,” said Black. “Machines don’t do it.I would argue that our strategic advantage is in our Marines, in our people.”
Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, and senior leaders from Combat Development and Integration gave an update on the Force Design Annual Update and the many ways the Marine Corps is currently experimenting to ensure a more combat capable force exists tomorrow.
Lt. Gen. Edward Banta, Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, spoke about how the Marine Corps is sustaining the future force and modernizing Marine Corps logistics.
During his remarks on capabilities and the way ahead for Marine Forces Special Operation Command (MARSOC), Col. Ian A. Fletcher, the Director of Combat Development & Integration (CD&I) for MARSOC, identified MARSOC operators as having unique capabilities and being an integral part of the vision for the future of special operations forces.
“One of the unique things.that MARSOC has always had in our DNA, is the integration of a special operations capabilities specialist. So, an intel analyst, or a truck driver, or a mobility specialist, you name it: we have a whole enterprise of individuals who are trained to a Special Operation Forces standard. They are built purposely to go out on the tactical edge at various different levels with our special operators.”
The Marine Corps is innovating today to win tomorrow’s battles. The theme of human performance as an essential element and key enabler for Force Design was echoed throughout the first day of Modern Day Marine 2022.
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For more information on Force Design 2030 and associated modernization efforts, visit: www.marines.mil/Force-Design-2030
Headquarters Marine Corps