What is the Marine Corps saying to Congress?
September 5, 2024
Marine Corps Compass Points
Broader Thinking, Deeper Understanding, and Better Decisions, for a Stronger Marine Corps
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Just about everyone loves, admires, and trusts the Marine Corps. Even those few who do not love the Marine Corps will grudgingly admit that Marines have done great things on battlefields around the world. When senior Marine leaders go to testify in front of Congress, they arrive surrounded by the lustrous battle history of the Marine Corps. They come wearing the amazing exploits of the Corps like a cape. Every word they say to Congress echoes with the honor of Marines who have gone before.
Even members of Congress are not immune from the powerful reputation of Marines. When a senior Marine leader testifies in front of Congress, the members want to support the Marine leader and Marine proposals. The tendency of members of Congress to support Marine Corps proposals makes it easy for Marine leaders -- intentionally or unintentionally – to exaggerate the readiness of the Corps. Just a few examples of distorted testimony are compiled below.
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HQMC:
“We are the eyes and ears for the joint force, ideally positioned within the weapons engagement zone (WEZ) to conduct both reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance, to act as a joint tactical air controller for the combined joint force, and to strike the enemy from land to sea with organic sensors and precision fires.” i
Analysis:
Since pre-World War II days, the Marine Corps has recognized the need for reconnaissance and has established units from platoons to battalions to conduct this function. These units have always been an important adjunct to the division and aircraft wings that make up air-ground combined arms teams. This HQMC statement and other similar ones give the distinct impression surveillance and reconnaissance are new and principal roles for the Marine Corps, at least for III Marine Expeditionary Forces. This almost myopic focus on surveillance and reconnaissance appears to be inconsistent with the requirement of Title 10, USC for Marine Corps forces to be responsible for “the seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and for the conduct of such land operations as may be essential to the prosecution of a naval campaign.”
https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-senate-testimony?publication_id=1110868&post_id=148538706&isFreemail=true&r=1r0xfp&triedRedirect=true
