Seabasing: Postmodern Mahanism

Abstract

This paper examines seabasing's impact on national security strategy through the lens of four attributes derived from Naval Warfare Publication (NWP) 3-62M/Marine Corps Warfare Publication (MCWP) 3-31.7, the official, and recently published, doctrine for seabasing. The four attributes the author asserts characterize seabasing operations are: (1) American presence abroad is accomplished effectively without having to occupy sovereign territory, (2) military operations do not require host nation support, (3) the geographic position and composition of forces is mission centric, (4) bases at sea are more secure than land bases. Using DoD and DoS guidance and past examples of seabasing operations, this paper describes the strategic significance these four attributes have to kinetic and non-kinetic military operations to conclude that the role of naval vessels will significantly grow in operations supporting national security.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 2010
Accession Number
ADA600369

Entities

People

  • Duane E Neal

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Governments
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Marine Corps
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Vessels
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Security
  • United States
  • Urban Areas
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.