The Marine Engineers in Today's MAGTF: Historical Perspective, Consequences and Alternatives
Abstract
Changes to engineer organization as a result of recent force structure analysis presents significant challenges to the operational effectiveness of engineer formations. While the prescribed changes are intended to "provide a strategically mobile, middleweight force optimized for rapid crisis response and forward-presence," analysis of the historical development of engineer organizations, doctrinal employment, and the relationship with the joint force shows that these initiatives require focused attention, action, and continued evaluation and refinement to ensure that Marine Corps engineers provide continued responsiveness to supported force requirements. Since its inception in the early 1900s, Marine Corps leaders have grappled with the balance of Marine Corps engineer tactical employment and technical support. Engineer formations in the Marine Corps have adjusted to the operational environments of World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the Long War, and also the military force reductions that invariably followed the conclusion of these conflicts. Doctrine, training, and equipment for engineers constantly fluctuated during this time. The most relevant analysis and resulting changes to current engineer organization occurred between the end of the Cold War and the current operating environment. A number of studies in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s have driven engineer organizational change to the present day. Lessons learned post-OEF and OIF combined with structural reorganization driven by fiscal constraints and post-Cold War complexity demand further adjustment. Most recently, requirements indicated by the 2010 Force Structure Review Group findings direct further organizational change. Analysis of past doctrine and employment against future objectives suggests that such reorganization will present unique challenges for engineer formations and will create serious risks to the responsiveness of engineer capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA601071
Entities
People
- Scottie S. Redden
Organizations
- Marine Corps University