The Marine Corps' Amphibious Organization, An Expeditionary System?
Abstract
Protection of worldwide interests requires a capability to project power across a hostile shore. During World War II, a wide array of amphibious ships and landing craft provided this capability for the United States. However, do current Marine Corps' organizations provide the deployable organizations capable of littoral maneuver and expeditionary power projection? Meeting expeditionary requirements to operate across the spectrum of conflict requires synergistic combined arms organizations tailored to meet a varied threat. However, reduced infrastructures, airlift, and sealift require a force capable of littoral maneuver. The monograph argues for a Marine Corps organization based on littoral maneuver and combined arms that includes increased amphibious maneuver capability to provide the deployability, flexibility and maneuverability for worldwide crisis response. Developing a family of amphibious vehicles and combat systems designed for amphibious shipping increases deployability and littoral maneuverability. Increased amphibious capability speeds the transition from sea to land maneuver, frees landing craft for other combat or supporting capabilities, and increases operational flexibility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 07, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA324365
Entities
People
- Douglas M. King
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College