The United States Marine Corps and the Operational Level of War

Abstract

The United States Marine Corps training and education programs for field grade officers focuses on the operational level of war. Since the nucleus of training is on the operational level of war, it follows that the Corps expects to require its field grade officers to perform missions at the operational level. If these officers are expected to perform at some other level, then the training which they receive is not an efficient use of manpower and money. In this study, the missions which the Corps is most likely to face are discussed, and historical examples of each are analyzed to determine where, or if, Marine Corps field grade officers function at the operational level. This analysis points out a disconnect between the number of officers trained, and the number of officers required at the operational level of war. Recommendations are offered to correct the discrepancy, and to assist in making the best use of training hours and money.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 20, 1994
Accession Number
ADA284711

Entities

People

  • David G. Rathgeber

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Civil War
  • Civil War (United States)
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Landing Forces
  • Military Education
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Second World War
  • Students
  • United States
  • United States Central Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.