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Business As Usual?

By Captain Eric E. Buer, USMC
August 1997
Proceedings
Volume 123/8/1,134
Article
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Body

The Marine Corps went through dramatic doctrinal changes prior to the outbreak of World War II. These changes were the product of two decades of evolution-not revolution. The Marine Corps was adapting to an emerging threat with emerging technologies. Similarly, today's Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS) is an evolution brought about by a marriage of technology and a requirement to meet a future threat. Our current focus with OMFTS reflects a desire to be ready and responsive, and to project unique capabilities, vital to the interests of the United States, that cannot be duplicated by any other service.

After World War I, the Marine Corps was seen by some as a second ground army, and quickly was returned to its prewar naval guard duty role. In order to survive and prosper, it had to develop doctrine and capabilities to fill a national defense need. OMFTS reflects a similar change in the fundamental way Marines view their role in both expeditionary operations and the national defense. OMFTS expands our capabilities well into the 21 st century. It is a form of institutional self-preservation, similar to that of the 1920s.

OMFTS will provide the doctrine that is distinctly naval, but flexible enough to encompass joint operations. We prefer to be, and our doctrine and training ensure, that we always will be the supported service.

Today's changes in the Navy also are similar to those of the 1920s, with movement in force structure and domestic and foreign policy. Technology, on the other hand, is playing a much larger role now than it did in the 1920s. Then, we were developing doctrinal concepts with small numbers of Marines in landing craft and ships that were incapable of actual combat operations. Amphibious assault craft, naval surface fires, and close air support as we know them today did not exist. Operations then often were conducted by a single ship, using wooden boats and with inaccurate and non integrated surface fires. Today, technology can put us over the horizon and allow us to arrive unseen and possibly undetected by any means.

Our ability to project power always has been supported by the Navy, which has felt the winds of change too. The reduction of the world's blue-water naval power has sent its leadership back to the think tank. "From the Sea . . ." and "Forward . . .

From the Sea" have again given the Navy a vision. The naval tie with the Marine Corps was not one of necessity in the 1920s, but that has changed. The ability of the naval services to merge doctrine and technology is a legacy from the post-World War I innovators. Naval forces will dominate the next century and our ability to project power from the sea will ensure that dominance continues. Technology, strategic requirements and reductions in the budget has paved the way for OMFTS. The changes in the 1920s set wheels in motion that still are moving today.

Digital Proceedings content made possible by a gift from CAPT Roger Ekman, USN (Ret.)

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