A project to reform the US Marine Corps appeared in the American press
To be honest, today I was amazed, surprised, deprived of confidence in the existence of logic ... the Americans. This was expressed in the fact that in the United States they suddenly remembered that the words "sea" and "marine (infantry)" are not only interconnected, but also come from the same root, are associated with the same element.
Although, to be completely honest, we have forgotten this too. No one is surprised that the SVO employs marines from various fleets Navy. No one is surprised that mountain units are fighting quite well in the steppes of Ukraine. There is no need to even talk about the paratroopers of the Airborne Forces.
In fact, today it is rather difficult to distinguish between air infantry, marines or other specialized units. Differences can only be seen somewhere in the parade. The armament is the same as that of all other units and subunits. Yes, and the field form is appropriate. And the tasks are similar.
I recently came across an interesting article by an American writer and defense journalist, Kyle Mizokami, who spoke about plans to modernize the US Marine Corps in the coming years. Simply put, Mizokami reminded the Americans of what, in fact, the Marine Corps was created for ...
What the American journalist writes is called the plan for the modernization of the US Marine Corps until 2030.
Ukraine teaches not only the Russian army, but also the American one
We often say that the NVO has become a litmus test that has revealed many shortcomings in the preparation of the Armed Forces for a possible global conflict with NATO and the United States. We have tested many existing and future weapon systems in real mode. Including in direct opposition to Western weapons.
But the enemy is watching us closely. The methods of conducting combat operations of the Russian army are being studied. Captured samples of equipment and weapons are being studied. Countermeasures are being developed. Sometimes successful, sometimes failing. For example, the sinking of our cruiser Moskva prompted American analysts to create far-reaching plans to combat enemy fleets.
First of all, however, the author of the material mentions this in passing, about the basic conclusion on which the plan for the reorganization of the US Marine Corps is built. For many of our readers, this will also be new. It turned out that modern warfare is completely different from the one that military analysts and Hollywood filmmakers have painted for us for many years.
The war will not be like US and NATO military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan, Yugoslavia or Syria. Yes, military technology has changed, but the essence of war has remained exactly the same as it was during World War II. As it was “you took the enemy’s position only when the eggs of your soldier (sorry for the soldier’s directness) hovered over his trench”, it remains so.
It was the postulate about the similarity of the future war and the past war that became the basis on which all further conclusions are built. It was this conclusion that made the American journalist remember why a new military structure, different from the army, was being created in the USA.
There is another factor that the Pentagon has to take into account. Namely, what is real in the event of a war will have to fight with China or Russia. The rest of the armies either simply do not pose any danger or are located where, according to the new concept, the Marines will not operate.
Well, the third factor, which we, for example, do not often take into account. This is money. The cost of maintaining the ILC, armament and other costs, up to the payment of pensions to veterans of the corps and compensation to the wounded and sick. It is these costs that officials primarily pay attention to when forming a new military budget.
What is the essence of the reform of the Marine Corps?
So, by 2030, the Marine Corps should once again be... the Marine Corps. That is, its main task should be to conduct combat operations on the islands, archipelagos and coast of the enemy, as it was during the Second World War. It was then that the legend of the power of the Marine Corps was born. It was there that the Marines were most effective.
So, the main thing. As I wrote above, China is recognized as the main adversary of the United States. Russia is named second in importance. Hence, the ILC must control precisely these countries. Prepare to fight on the islands and coasts of China and Russia. Therefore, it is necessary to divide the Corps into three parts, according to the author of the project, a regiment (brigade), which would be specially prepared for the war with this enemy.
The question arises: who will conduct combat operations deep in enemy territory? The answer is simple. The Marines seize a bridgehead, create a landing zone for army units, and ensure the operation Defense and coastal defense with the help of MLRS. After the landing of the army landing force and the transition of the United States Army to the offensive, the Marine Corps units receive a new task.
Marine units must become more mobile. To do this, it is necessary to re-equip these units. For example, remove Tanks and heavy howitzers. For operations in the coastal zone and on the islands, they are of little use. They do more harm than good. Delivery of heavy weapons is quite problematic. But combat use is always in question.
Thus, the minimum distance at which the famous M777 can be used is 1,6 miles (approximately 2,5 km). Agree, for a marine landing this is really critical. And who will suppress artillery defending at shorter ranges? Transfer smaller calibers additionally? Certainly, some of these howitzers will need to be retained, but the rest should be transferred to the army.
Exactly the same situation with the M1A1 Abrams. Yes, these are serious combat vehicles, but how will they operate, for example, on artificial islands in the South China Sea? But there are 450 Abramsovs in the KMP! This means that these machines must be transferred to the army, leaving a small part for themselves. Which will entail a sharp drop in the combat power of the Marine units.
Further, in connection with the elimination of tank units, the need to maintain a large number of engineering vehicles disappears. In particular, bridgelayers. Which again frees up space on the landing craft and speeds up the landing of amphibious assault. That is, the landing force becomes more mobile.
Another important decision is the reduction in the number of helicopters and convertiplanes. Since the fighting will be limited to the islands and the coast, there is no need for the Corps to transfer personnel into the depths of the enemy defenses. Then why does the corps need such a large number of UH-1Y Venom and MV-22B Osprey?
The next problem, which again needs to be addressed, is airplanes! Today, the Corps is armed with 420 F-35B and F-35C. These aircraft operate in squadrons of 16 units each. The Corps does not intend to reduce the air group. But the squadrons are subject to reorganization. Now there will be units of 10 aircraft.
And, finally, about the number of regiments (brigades) and their location. The Marine Corps will consist of three combat regiments. The number of each of the regiments is approximately 1800-2000 marines and sailors. The first regiment will be based somewhere in the Atlantic or in the Baltic Sea. The goal is to counter Russia.
The second regiment will continue to be stationed in Okinawa. The mission of the regiment is to contain China and North Korea. The third regiment will again continue to be stationed in Hawaii. It's no secret that Hawaii is now turned into a fortress by the Marine Corps.
In general, if we consider all the planned activities only from a military point of view, it is a paradox, but they will really strengthen the Marine Corps. Blurring tasks is always more of a hindrance than a help. With such a reform, the tasks are concretized. This makes it possible for better training of personnel and military equipment.
In addition to the cuts, there are also some significant changes planned, which follow from the experience of the war in Ukraine. First of all, this concerns the HIMARS MLRS and high-precision missiles to them. Indeed, these systems have proven their effectiveness.
However, I have a question about how this high-precision weapon will work in the absence of guidance satellites? I do not think that in the event of a full-scale conflict, space groups will remain untouched. Today, both China and Russia have killer satellites in their space forces.
The “new Corps” will pay great attention to robotic systems. Purchases are planned drones all kinds. From UAVs and ground drones to marine drones. The command of the Corps hopes with the help of drones to compensate for the striking power lost with the withdrawal of tanks from the corps.
There is also a completely new development, which is being tested, but is already planned for the purchase of the ILC. These are the promising NMESIS coastal robotic missile system and the new NSM anti-ship missile. The complex showed pretty good results back in 2021.
A little about the tactics of the "new ILC"
I will deliberately not say much about the tactics that the US Marines are going to use. Simply because this is just a return to the past, to the times of the Second World War. To whom it will be interesting, you can easily find materials even in our publication.
So, a brief summary of the actions of the Marine Corps in the event of a conflict. Using high-speed delivery vehicles, a reinforced infantry battalion of the Marine Corps is landed on an island, archipelago or on the coast. Coastal positions are destroyed, and the battalion begins cleaning up the island. A forward base for marines is being created.
Following the infantry, a group of two battalions landed on the island. Air defense battalion and logistics battalion. Their task is to provide air defense and coastal defense. That is to control the sky and the sea. And here is something new.
After clearing the island with infantry, the battalions do not place their launchers compactly, which would be logical in terms of control, but scattering them all over the island. Yes, management in this case is really complicated, but the principle of “laying eggs into different baskets” is respected.
This position will be maintained until the entire formation completes the task and the enemy retreats. Immediately after the start of the retreat, the infantry of the Corps receives the task of capturing another island. The two remaining battalions operate in exactly the same way as at the beginning of the operation.
For me personally, it’s a little unclear who will remain on the captured island? Theoretically, everything looks quite logical, except for this particular question. Well, if the island is more or less large and it has an airfield. Then it will be possible to transport army units and means to ensure the defense of the island there. What if there is no airport? Will the army infantry work like the infantry of the Corps? Ship delivery?
Conclusion
In principle, I understand why such an idea of reforming the US Marine Corps appeared. Like most developed countries, Americans suffer from the same disease as Europeans, Russians, Japanese and many other nations. The population is aging! Mob. resources are getting smaller. This means that the optimization of the defensive system itself is necessary. It is necessary to increase the efficiency of each soldier...
In addition, the modern army is very expensive for the state. Billion-dollar weapons systems are not uncommon. I won’t even write about tens of millions for a rocket. And all these expensive systems quickly become obsolete and require replacement. Consequently, every year the military is forced to come up with more and more reasons why the army should receive more funds next year.
In addition, weapons and ammunition are consumed even without the conduct of hostilities. Agree, work on a simulator and the actual use of live ammunition, even on a target, are two different things. And soldiers and officers need to be taught and checked their skills constantly. This means that it is necessary to at least maintain the same level, and it is better to develop the defense industry and military science.
But most importantly, this is my personal opinion, a simple truth is beginning to reach the Americans, which has long been known to any European, Asian or Russian. That war, when the enemy of the United States will be armies that are inferior to the American army in all respects, will not happen. The fight will be Russians against the Americans, Chinese against the Americans, Russians and Chinese in alliance against the Americans.
The Pentagon realized that NATO, with its "powerful armed forces", powerful economy and other militant entourage, was just extras for American units in Europe. In the event of any conflict, the main hardships of the war will fall to the Americans.
This applies even to the most warlike British islanders. Britain does not actually have a land army. The United States independently turned the Germans into a completely incompetent army. Even France plays a decorative, exhibition role. All that remains of NATO without these armies is not worth a damn.
Meanwhile, if we take into account all American units in Europe, if they are combined into a single structure, then the United States in Europe has one reinforced combat division (according to the states of the US Army). And most importantly, today it is simply impossible to quickly transfer any serious forces from the territory of the United States. And there are no such forces.
Kyle Mizokami's material in Popular Mechanics deserves careful study in order to understand the direction of the American military in the coming decades. Yes, this is still only a project, but a project that is being studied at the headquarters of the Marine Corps.
So, firstly, the issue of reforming the Corps is on the agenda, and, secondly, something from the author’s proposal will definitely be included in the final version of the decision ...
Information