The Land-Based MEF: Operationally Capable or Situationally Operational

Abstract

The warfighting doctrine of the U.S. Marine Corps emphasizes maneuver and the indirect approach. However, it fails to define and explain how the Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) fight at the operational level. There is a corresponding vacuum of articles written by Marine officers on the operational level of war and published in military journals. Capable as the MAGTFs may be afloat, on land against a sophisticated threat the MAGTF loses its operational edge. Shortfalls in the areas of operational fire and sustainment, coupled with limited tactical mobility, prevent the land-based Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) from fighting at the operational level.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 12, 1991
Accession Number
ADA236664

Entities

People

  • Timothy S. Muchmore

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Artillery
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Launchers
  • Light Armored Vehicles
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System
  • Security
  • Sustainment
  • Task Forces
  • Transportation
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.