Cultural Terrain -- Mapping out the Future
Abstract
An expeditionary force operating in the littorals in the year 2020 may take on several forms. Operational Maneuver from the Sea, Ship to Objective Maneuver, Sea Basing, Distributed Operations, etc., are all conceptual forms derived to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the MAGTF in pursuit of U.S. strategic objectives in the future. By 2025, it is expected that 80% of the world's population will live in urban centers within the littorals. Given this statistic, the MAGTF will certainly see military key terrain of the future made up of populations and cultures, not just geography. As the Marine Corps increasingly finds itself conducting small wars in populated urban centers in support of U.S. interests, it will more and more find itself engaged in a battle of ideas with a neutral, foreign population being the prize required for victory. Consideration of any population as key terrain needs to be an additive planning measure to any concept of employing the future MAGTF. Through education, Marines will be able to employ cultural mapping and rapid ethnography to win the population as key terrain and achieve better understanding of the operating environment and the enemy in future MAGTF operations. The MAGTF is currently posturing for the future by preparing for Forward Presence, Security Cooperation, Counterterrorism, Crisis Response, Forcible Entry, Prolonged Operations, and Counterinsurgency. Operating successfully in these environments requires an ability to understand all stakeholders' motives and actions to a certain degree, and to understand how each fits into the overall environment. Culture will be the focus of this discussion and should be added to Marine Corps doctrine as the 12th critical variable of the operating environment. The ability to achieve understanding of culture cannot be developed without a significant investment in education for the Marine Corps' fighters, leaders, and planners.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA506362
Entities
People
- Daniel A. Schmitt
Organizations
- Marine Corps Combat Development Command