New Focus on China Fight Could Rob Marine Corps of Versatility....MUST READ ARTICLE!

Read this entire article but I want to pop out a few concerns I've raised on that blog that some of the panelist seem to echo.  Via USNI News.

“This restructured Marine Corps is not designed to be versatile. The Marine Corps likes to think of itself as a Swiss army knife, but this will be a Swiss army knife whose owner has ripped out a couple of blades because he doesn’t think he’s going to need them anymore,” said Mark Cancian, a former Marine who also worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget. “And a Swiss army knife that’s missing key functions is really just an ordinary jackknife.”

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“I’m not sure that the changes are complementary to the joint force,” Hoffman said. “I’m not sure that I would like some of these changes to be implemented without some consideration to what mission or burdens we’re placing on the Army and if the Army’s prepared or not prepared to work complementary with the Marine Corps.” 

SNAFU! Blog Note.  This is the easiest of the problems to solve.  If the Marine Corps is going to do less and ask the Army to do more then the Army must grow and the Marine Corps DRASTICALLY SHRINK!  Quite honestly if the China fight is the end all be all for the Marines then it should number no more than 50K....MAX!

 “My chief concern is that this restructuring is focused on a single future conflict, an island campaign in the western Pacific against China,” he said. “And that’s indeed one possible future conflict, but it’s one of many possible conflicts.”

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 Berger has maintained that if the Marines are trained for a high-end fight with a competitor like China, then the force will be ready to engage in other low-end conflicts. Cancian disputed this notion, pointing to the Army’s preparation in the 1960s for a land fight in Europe, only to then pivot to fighting in the jungles of Vietnam.

“Of the major conflicts the Marine Corps has been involved with since the second World War — Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq 2003, Afghanistan, — only Iraq in 2003 was arguably foreseen,” he said. “The rest have been totally unexpected. And I think the future will be like that. The next conflict will be some place we are not expecting.”

Story here. 

I would love to see the video of this discussion.  FINALLY WE'RE GETTING SOME REAL DEAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS CONCEPT!  While the Missile Marine Commandant is rushing to finish the hatchet job to the Marine Corps, it seems that at least a few people are bold enough to call this for what it is.

BULLSHIT!

Seagull swallows a rabbit...I finally found this insanity...

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A post shared by Joy Safari Bay 💎 (@joysafaribay) on Jul 30, 2020 at 11:00pm PDT

Someone on this blog was talking about a seagull swallowing a rabbit.  I thought it was a myth before I saw this vid.

Just plain wow.  Birds are fierce.  If they were human sized I wonder if we ever would have become the planet's apex predator.

PLZ-05A 155 mm. self-propelled howitzer by artillery regiment under the PLA Xinjiang Military Command (MC) spits fire down range

PLZ-05A 155 mm. self-propelled howitzer by artillery regiment under the PLA Xinjiang Military Command (MC) spits fire down range against ............... ⤵️https://t.co/0ZgLUphZhp#PLA #PZL05 #Artillery #Howitzer #China pic.twitter.com/PxSutoIEFB

— The Dead District (@TheDeadDistrict) July 31, 2020

Mass fires.  Shock action.  High maneuver.

Light forces are vulnerable to mechanized forces EXCEPT in built up areas.  Anywhere else they're dinner on a plate.  Additionally mech forces can be used QUITE EFFECTIVELY in built up areas by using mass fires, shock action and maneuver so the advantage is negated to a degree and light forces are surely fighting defensively.

The Chinese are coming.  There is no simple way.  The solution is to gear up to do the hard thing.

Open Comment Post. 31 July 2020

Smaller Missile Marine Corps? Then its time to start slashing overhead...NOW!

The Missile Marine Commandant has attacked the Ground Combat Element of the once Mighty USMC with a vengeance (be advised ... more cuts are coming that will stir the souls of even the timid that remain quiet today).

So be it.

He sits in the big chair and while he'll have to answer to the Mothers of America and take the barbs of historians answering why we lost to the Chinese... he has the power to do as he sees fit.

What he hasn't done that's low hanging fruit is to rid the Missile Marines of all the overhead.

The Logistics Bases?  Shutter them now.  Excess overhead.  The Marine Expeditionary Brigades?  Shutter them.  Excess overhead.  A decision needs to be made about whether or not to keep Marine Expeditionary Forces but I would contend that the task they're trying to take over can be better and more easily accomplished at the Division level.  If we're talking about "integrating with the Navy" and since ground combat has gone the way of the Marine Corps (from my chair the Missile Marines will not be engaged in ground combat) then the Admiral in charge of the Naval Task Force will be directing things with the Missile Marines simply along for the ride.

Oh and that chair on the Joint Chiefs?

The Missile Marines don't deserve it.  Vacate that chair and give it to the Space Force.

In for a penny in for a pound Berger.  You started this shit show.  Complete your work.  Man up and get it done.

Challenger 2 getting thrashed about by #ATDU in early '90s

Challenger 2 getting thrashed about by #ATDU in early '90s as part of development/reliability trials (not our video BTW). ATDU still sets the global Gold Standard for AFV trials - we've been visiting since 1988! #DefencePhotography #DefenceVideo #TankTwitter #MilTwitter @thepagey pic.twitter.com/mnBPPGWL9K

— Defence Photography (@DefencePhoto) July 30, 2020

Open Comment Post. 30 July 2020

Is it time to rotate the 173rd Airborne to the Pacific?

Consider this a modest proposal.

Should we rotate the 173rd Airborne to the Pacific?  I personally think it makes sense.  The Missile Marines are going to be concentrating on the sea battle and is gearing up to focus on that mission set. 

That leaves the Army as the sole remaining general purpose ground force we have.

That means we have a huge gap in capabilities in the Pacific.  While the 25th can add a credible medium to light punch (in the form of their Stryker and Light Fighters) we're still lacking a rapid deployment ground force.

I think the 173rd could fill that role admirably.

But what about the possibility of fighting in contested space (the latest buzz word in the Pentagon)?

Doable.  Hard but doable.  But before you shitcan the idea consider this.  The Missile Marines are talking about operating slow moving small amphibs in contested space, using MV-22s to move troops ashore, landing HIMARS/anti-ship missile vehicles to engage ships at sea, setting up FARPs and moving heavy cargo/fuel/munitions ashore in CH-53Ks...ALL WHILE OPERATING IN CONTESTED SPACE!

If that can be done (I don't think it can but let's play the game) then surely a C-17 with escorts can zoom in at 500 knots, slow to drop paratroopers and then zoom out at 500 knots.

It can't be any worse than what the Missile Marines are planning can it?

I hear what you're saying now.  What about heavy equipment?  The same way you got in paratroopers is the same way you get in C-17 transported equipment.  We might need to develop new ways of air dropping but it can be done.

The sad truth?

With the arrival of the Missile Marines the United States of America is down to only 1 (ONE!) means of forcible entry.

Airborne forces are now the ONLY credible means of entering denied space. The Apache raid in Desert Storm 2 pretty much put a nail in the coffin of air assaults being viable in my mind.  The current Commandant of the Missile Marines put a nail in amphibious assault.

That leaves the US Army and it's Airborne Forces as our end all be all for forcible entry.

Time to strengthen the capability.

Hope the Army Chief Of Staff is listening!

Indonesian Armor On Exercise...

Pics via IndonesianArmedForces Instagram Page...

The last ride...2nd MARDIV edition...

Note.  Corks are popping at HQMC, but they've been getting it wrong for a decade now and they're getting it wrong on the future of warfare.  You want an analogy of the time we're living in?  It's the interwar period between WW1 and WW2.  The pace of technology will not allow ANYONE to accurately develop a concept to meet it.  The best that can be done is to hone to perfection concepts that have been proven to be war winning.  Ya know, like a balanced Air-Ground Task Force!  Congrats to Berger.  You got what you wanted cowboy.  Let's pray that you didn't royally fuck it up as bad as I think you did.

Note 1.  When he makes the move against AAV/ACV it will be violent and even quicker than this cluster.  Mark my words.  Before the end of 2021 they will also be out of the Missile Marine Corps.

Note 2.  Save these pics gents.  You're seeing history that will be revisited the next time the Missile Marine Corps inevitably needs armor for firepower and shock.

How much longer will AAV/ACV last?

A U.S. Marine Corps AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle driver with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, drives an AAV-P7/A1 up the well deck ramp of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) during training to increase Navy-Marine Corps interoperability in the eastern Pacific. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps continue to combine efforts to refine and strengthen fundamental amphibious capabilities and reinforce the Navy-Marine Corps team. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kassie McDole)

Question.  How much longer will AAV/ACV last?  It's quite obvious that Berger wants them gone but I've heard nothing with regard to their future/timetable for deletion from the Missile Marines.  Anyone hear anything?

Berger's dream comes true. The last 1st Tanks vehicle is gone...

That’s all she wrote for tanks in the desert of 29 Palms. All gone. pic.twitter.com/5cuS5NWu5j

— Adam V. Link (@Linkavych) July 28, 2020

Marine Corps historians will rue this day.  Missile Marine Corps Advocates will be overjoyed.

1st Tanks is really dead.

What the enemy couldn't do, one misguided Commandant could.  He destroyed a Marine Corps unit with the stroke of a pen within a few weeks.

The Marine Corps had a storied history but all things must come to an end I guess.  I look forward to seeing how long the Missile Marine Corps lasts.

The Israeli Eitan 8x8 IFV is a BEAST!

Thanks to Vodkar for the pic!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  People luv the Boxer but the Eitan is the best wheeled IFV on the planet (non-amphibious).  The Boxer is good but it just can't compare.

The Israelis did the Eitan right!

Block 1 Boxer CRV 30mm turreted variants have arrived in Australia.

Looks good.  Looks real good.  Interesting thing?  The Australians are seeking to gain the exact same capability that the Missile Marine Corps has carelessly thrown away.  Hopefully the US Army will develop a brigade of the 25th ID into an amphibious capable unit.

Two-and-bit years after contract award, the first Block 1 Boxer CRV 30mm turreted variants have arrived in Australia. Hand-over to the customer end of this year. Can't wait to see them and have another drive! @AustralianArmy @RheinmetallAus @ChiefAusArmy #capability pic.twitter.com/Fn9OqycQjX

— DTR Magazine (@DTRmag) July 29, 2020

Open Comment Post. 29 July 2020

"The Last Ride"....U.S. Marines with 2d Tank Battalion, @2dmardiv , track through tank trails on Camp Lejeune

Berger's act of killing Tanks will go down in infamy.

He is happily embracing a concept that is as still born as the others we've had over the last 10 years.  He's taking it one step further though.  He's killing combat power to embrace a fantasy.

US Marine Corps tanks riding into the mist?  Yes.  Berger made it happen.  Hilarity will ensue when we see US Army tanks blasting OUT OF THE MIST to save a Missile Marine Corps unit from a Chinese onslaught.

United States Missile Marine Corps finds its footing at Summer Fury 2020...

Note.  The USMMC finds its footing at Summer Footing 2020.  The emphasis? Air and Missiles.  The Ground Combat Element is DEAD!  The weird thing? Instead of the Air Wing needing an advocate at the highest reaches of the former Marine Corps it is now the Ground Combat Element that needs an advocate at the highest reaches of the new Missile Marine Corps.  The break from the past is DISTINCT, Obvious and Stunning.  Maybe we can get a bubba from the 82nd, 2th ID or the Rangers to come over to remind leadership in the USMMC that ground forces are important. God knows it seems that the dudes running the USMMC have forgotten that.

Delivery of ARES | Armoured Vehicle | British Army

Open Comment Post. 28 July 2020

How does the Missile Marine Corps help win the sea battle?

How does the Missile Marine Corps help win the sea battle?  I don't get it.  The Commandant is all about influencing the fight at sea but to strip away the ground force gives us what exactly?

Before you answer that (or attempt to) consider the reality.  20 years ago the Chinese Navy could be considered a coastal force.  Firing missiles from shore would have made sense considering the Chinese order of battle.

Today?

Today the Chinese Navy is mirroring the US Navy and developing a true blue water capable force.  In other words they're gonna wanna take the battle out to deep water, away from the coast and go face to face with the USN.

But ignore that.

What does the Missile Marine Corps bring to the table?

In my opinion another flawed concept that does not measure up to even BASIC thought.  If you get outside the fairy tale of the war games (that are obviously constructed to get a desired result...nothing else makes sense) then the math is simple.

The latest Burke Class Destroyer has almost 100 vertical launch cells.  Dedicate 5 of those ships to nothing but sea control/anti-ship mission and you have an OVERWHELMING amount of fire coming that will overwhelm most battle fleets by itself. 

The US has a almost 100 of these ships.

Dedicate just 20 to the anti-ship mission, fill their cells with Tomahawk missiles and position them in Pacific and you have 2000 missiles aimed at Chinese ships. 

Operate in a distributed manner....independent ship ops....and you have a Navy solution to a Navy problem.

The Missile Marine Corps doesn't have to go thru fits and starts and we have this monster back in its cage.

But if this proposal is too outlandish then how does the Missile Marine Corps ACTUALLY become a credible threat to the Chinese?

Firing from the shore?

Packets of 10 to 20 missiles (at best) that will probably be defeated by enhanced Chinese anti-missile defense, improved ISR assets to locate them before launch and a vigorous diplomatic effort to deny us access to land we need to launch them from?

Long story short?

This concept is still born.  I can't see the Missile Marines buying that many missiles.  I can't see how they would be able to deploy them if they were bought.  I can't see how they would be able to get enough vehicles to effectively launch enough missiles to overwhelm enemy defenses.

THERE IS A REASON WHY BERGER IS MOVING WITH SPEED ON THIS CONCEPT.

The only way this works is if we're established in countries that fear a Chinese attack.  The only one in the region that would be willing to allow US Missile Marines on their soil in a defensive situation (in my opinion) is the Japanese (I don't count the Australians ... they're too far away).  The S. Koreans are fairly neutral in their dealing with China.  The Philippines are all over the map.  Indonesia and Vietnam are too and only get sideways over disputes over islands, fishing rights and oil/gas rights...all of which can be settled enough to keep them in the neutral camp.

Extending this out?

It doesn't work in another region of the world.  The Missile Marine Concept only works in the Pacific.

I know its a new Marine Corps but does "every clime and place" still apply or not?

The Missile Marine Corps is a one trick pony that arrived about 20 years too late.  It would have worked against a coastal Chinese Navy but they're blue water now and its useless against that.

irst Ares Armoured Vehicles Delivered to the UK Army

First ARES armoured vehicles delivered to the @britisharmy! ARES and the other variants in the AJAX family of armoured vehicles will replace the Army’s Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked).

The AJAX family consists of ARES (a troop-carrying reconnaissance vehicle), AJAX (armed with a 40mm cannon), support variants APOLLO and ATLAS, ATHENA (command and control variant) and ARGUS (engineering variant).

ARES is being built by General Dynamics in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The vehicles will give the Army’s Armoured Infantry and Strike Brigades a critical advantage over any likely opponent, through a combination of the latest technology, exemplary levels of crew protection and, of course, world-class professional Soldiers.

Colonel Justin Kingsford, the Ajax Programme Director, said: “This is an exciting moment for the Army. The delivery of ARES this week is an important step on our journey to give the Army an amazing, state-of-the-art, world-beating Armoured Fighting Vehicle.”

R400S Mk 2 D and the DAGOR light vehicle (Pic!)

Indian Army to procure 45 Sprut SD light tank s

So according to reports #IndianArmy to procure 45 Sprut SD light tank from #Russia. This is a strength of one regiment if report is followed. It is also confirmed that an indigenous light tank project by DRDO is underway.

There are some more updates so stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/tyEKpLdrID

— Vinod DX9 (@VinodDX9) July 26, 2020

From my chair this looks like an attempt to counter the Chinese light tank.  The Indian Army sees a capability gap and that's obviously unacceptable to them.  Additionally it looks like they're thinking more than anti-tank missiles is needed.

Good for them.

What has me spinning is that I thought their MBTs were deemed good enough for mountainous terrain.  They've obviously rethought that.

#India shows interest to acquire #Russian #2S25M #Sprut-SDM1 self-propelled anti-tank tracked #arrmored https://t.co/8SIOUuU5hF

— Army Recognition (@ArmyRecognition) July 26, 2020

BTR-80 takes a rough ride getting off ship...

BTR-80 auf Tauchfahrt pic.twitter.com/tPj65tyihf

— AFG VET 🔱 (@AFGVeteran03) July 26, 2020

You're not launching fast with that steep an angle off the ship.  I wonder if they wouldn't be better just keeping the ramp straight and letting it "plop" into the water?  Blast seats would help but either way its a rough ride for the dudes in back.

Armored amphibious assault vehicle will be in Turkish Navy’s inventory in 2022

🔵Armored amphibious assault vehicle will be in 🇹🇷Turkish Navy’s inventory in 2022 https://t.co/G8tnbzvnxN

— Defence Turk English (@Defence_Turk_EN) July 26, 2020

AG600 large amphibious aircraft succeeds in its maiden flight

New milestone: China's indigenously developed #AG600 large amphibious aircraft succeeds in its maiden flight over sea in Qingdao pic.twitter.com/UeAQU2U0IF

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) July 26, 2020

2nd ID don't give a fuck! You WILL PT with your men!

I didn't know whether to labels this no shit, Sunday funny or they're getting hardcore in the 2nd ID!

Either way I'd love to be a fly on the wall for the next staff meeting!  Wait cancel that.  The CO would surely smack the hell outta me!  That dude sounds like he's all outta fucks to give.

Looks like the kinder, gentler Army we used to know is gone.  They're getting their "hard" back!

Yeah it's just PT but its a message.  That unit is gonna be strong and strong is harder to kill.

Hanwha RedBack is here!

Looks good.  Looks real good.  The S. Koreans know how to put armor together in the modern era.  Dependence on the rest of the West is over.

Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA

incredible and awesome Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA fotage ⚔️ 🇶🇦 ⚔️ .. Rafale and F-15QA with same paint scheme 😍🤩 .. but waiting for Typhoon 😉 pic.twitter.com/1rE8RWwgm0

— Abdulmoiz (@abdulmoiz1990) July 26, 2020

R400S Mk 2 D and the DAGOR

Weird isn't it.  Medium Caliber Cannons that are hyper accurate that are light enough to go onto 4X4's like the JLTV or DAGOR have gone from a nice to have to being a MUST HAVE.  Especially for forces that are shedding armor!

Open Letter To The Commandant Of The Marine Corps...

Sir.

We've, no scratch that, you've got a problem.  You've seen data that has you transforming the USMC into a form that is unrecognizable to most.  You obviously believe this transformation is necessary in order to "keep pace" with the Chinese.

That's a laudable goal.  If that's what this is about then I applaud you.  However in making this DRAMATIC change you're leaving those you lead behind.

In essence you're failing Change Leadership 101.  You're not getting buy in from those you lead and that will cause chaos, not change.  via Forbes.

A weak culture that isn’t aligned with the mission, lack of participation and buy-in, under-communicating a powerful vision, over-communicating a poor vision, not enough training or resources, and so on. But one very critical roadblock standing in the way of bringing a change vision to fruition is what I call change battle fatigue.

Are you getting the force of connection here?  No?  Then let me break it down Barney style.

I don't buy for one second that the Marine Corps has a weak culture.  To the contrary it's extremely strong.  However that culture has been under attack for over a decade now.

That alone can cause chaos, fatigue and resentment.  Have we had a chance to reset?  To adjust to the change?  No.  It just keeps getting stuffed down throats.  I won't go into whether that change of culture is good or bad.  I will however say that if the Corps was going thru just that it would be a strain.

I do buy lack of participation.  I read the journals, and do my best to keep up with Marine Corps news but this latest move came like a thunderbolt.  Where you and other flag officers operated from solid information, the rank and file was left with rumor.  That's not good.  Remember the old chestnut of keeping your men informed?  Hey cowboy you failed on that one big time.

Communicating your vision?  Again you're substandard.  You're pushing the missile Marine Corps meme but you're failing to explain how dozens of missiles fired from shore will actually influence the sea battle in a favorable way.  Will the Marine Corps buy enough anti-ship missiles to equal what just 3 Burke Class Destroyers can carry?  If not then we're just pin pricks while the beasts rage at sea.  The Chinese already have enough missile boats to assign one to each shore based battery.  I won't even go into aircraft.  I have doubts about modern ISR having difficulty locating those batteries.  Your plan was applauded in think tank world but to the little people it makes no sense!

Change battle fatigue!  This is the big one!  This is the one that you should especially take note of and explain why this time it's different.  Every Commandant since Amos has come up with some weird form of predicting the future battle.  Everyone of them has seen those plans crumble because things are changing so fast.  How can you be sure?  Why should we trust that this time you got it right?  Additionally you're making a huge bet in a time of austerity.  If you're wrong (and to be blunt I think you are) then you're about to cripple the Marine Corps for the next 20 years.

Long story short?

Your Corps is under strain.  Your job is to bring order to chaos, not add to it. Additionally your Corps seems to be adrift.  It's facing attacks from within and without and needs a bearing.  A re-establishment for its reason for being.

It's actually strange to me that an organization that has been winning the nation's battles for over 200 years has to once again not only justify it's existence to the world but to itself but here we are.

My advice?

Take a beat.  Reorient the entire Corps.  If its to your new plan so be it but understand where things currently stand within the Fleet Marine Force.  Battles have been fought overseas, it's culture is being attacked at home, friction is being applied to the whole thing by leadership that is indecisive/always changing and the troops are restless (not even gonna add in the stress from this pandemic!).

Take care of the details with regard to the force and the rest will sort itself out.  Stop striving for transformation when the future is murky at best and evolve the force instead.  Accept the idea that there will be no easy way.  No bloodless battles between great powers.  Tell the leadership that too so we won't get into a stupid war.

Do these things and your tenure will be remembered with fondness not dread. Continue on your course and you will fail.  The last thing the Marine Corps needs is another milk toast Commandant.

Open Comment Post. 26 July 2020