Distinctive Competencies: Taming the Marine Corps-glomerate
Abstract
Catalyzed by a relatively generous supply of defense resources during the Cold War, the Marine Corps expanded and diversified its structure and operations. The continuing trend is contributing to an untenable situation as the security environment changes. This resembles a classic problem faced by the modern business conglomerate--that of overdiversification; yet, the Marine Corps has neither addressed nor resolved it satisfactorily. Given the frequent encouragement by defense leaders to "adopt and adapt the lessons of the private sector," it is worth considering private sector tools for strategic planning that might prove useful in adapting the Marine Corps' strategic posture to its changing internal and external environments. Proven strategic planning techniques used in the private sector suggest that the Marine Corps should respond by refocusing its operations. This involves revalidating its core "businesses," identifying its distinctive competencies, shedding capabilities unrelated to these competencies, refocusing resources on these competencies, and retailoring its organizational structure to amplify the strategy's benefits. Complex geostrategic events have altered the environment in which the Marine Corps operates, increasing the marginal costs associated with preparing forces, procuring equipment, and informing decisions. The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 altered institutional imperatives within the Department of Defense (DOD), ensuring the primacy of the joint task force in military operations. This decreases the marginal benefits of service diversity. Moreover, the Marine Corps has grown more diverse through the Cold War, altering and broadening its focus with deleterious effect on its core functions. Much of its force structure has grown too large for amphibious operations. And evidence suggests that realistic training in amphibious operations has declined in this decade.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA527856
Entities
People
- Christian N. Haliday
Organizations
- Marine Corps University