The Marine Expeditionary Unit: A Limited Conventional Response Force; Not a SOF Substitute

Abstract

The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is analyzed as to its proper employment in a theater Commander in Chief's Area of Responsibility. Arguments are presented as to how the development of a Service unique special operations capability unnecessarily duplicate current in-theater special operations forces missions and how this degrades a MEU's primary mission of amphibious warfare. The organization and missions are discussed to provide background to place the MEU in proper perspective as a CINC's forced entry capability. Deficiencies, limitations, and conventional capabilities are also discussed. Recommendations are made to improve the MEU's capabilities and concludes that the MEU should emphasize conventional Warfare with some enhanced capabilities to address post- Cold War problems that face the New World Order.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 08, 1994
Accession Number
ADA279589

Entities

People

  • Dennis E. Granger

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Civic Action
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Counterterrorism
  • Employment
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Reconnaissance
  • Seal Teams
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Terrorism
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design