Redefining Combined Arms in Today's Operational Environment
Abstract
The current definition of combined arms does not accurately portray the current tactics, techniques, and procedures being utilized in the Global War on Terrorism. There is a paradigm within the United States Marine Corps that ties the definition of combined arms to weapon systems, their munitions, and the ability to employ those weapons in such a manner or sequence that forces the enemy to expose himself to one or more arms. The goal of reaching the point where the Marine Corps can apply its kinetic arms against the enemy so that it can destroy him is still the end state. However, because of the nature of the current enemy, non-lethal fires or non-kinetic fires are required arms in forcing our enemy to expose himself. Combined arms is now the integration of both kinetic and non-kinetic fires in such a manner that to counteract one arm the enemy is susceptible to another and can be captured or destroyed. A new definition of combined arms would more clearly depict our current fights in Iraq and Afghanistan and would aid in broadening the perspective of our future Marine leaders who will be asked to employ all available arms on the enemy when they go into theater.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA507329
Entities
People
- L. M. Mcconnell
Organizations
- Marine Corps University