What is an “Expeditionary Force?†No, Really, What is It?
Michael Gladius
For a Pioneer nation like America, built on exploration and a seemingly endless frontier, the romance of expeditions is part of our national psyche. The term “Expeditionary Force†sounds cool, as it evokes feelings of adventure and risk-taking in far-away places. Expeditionary forces are comprised of tough, competent men who travel light in remote areas, and rely on their wits to survive and win in unfamiliar environments. Thus, it’s only natural we want to call everything our military does abroad an “Expeditionary Force.â€
However, not everything is an “Expeditionary Force,†simply by virtue of being overseas, as JP 3-0 currently defines it:
Expeditionary Force: An Armed Force organized to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country.
https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/what-expeditionary-force-no-really-what-it
