"Marines Force Design Is Still Too Heavy" Topic

Light infantry can complement the rest of the Marine Corps' modernized force structure.

USNI: link

So -- going back to what didn't work in past wars, which is why the MEU force structure evolved? I don't get this whole path of destruction of the USMC.

Huh, and I thought the whole purpose for the Marines was force projection and not guerilla warfare. Add logistics not important too? I guess they are not watching the Russians slowly advance as Ukraine has units run out of ammunition and have to fallback.

Major Mike +1 – and I thought the MEU evolved from hard combat and mission experience. The Marines started off as a Light Infantry force who would be landed on a contested island -- and Navy ships and air would provide all the support they needed.

Oops -- the enemy has bunkers that air and naval arty can't reach. So give the Marines their own arty.

Oops -- the enemy has tanks, and air and naval arty can't respond quickly enough. So give the Marines their own tanks.

Oops -- the Marines need air support and mobility, but the Navy is already committed to air superiority and other missions. So give the Marines their own air transport and CAS.

Oops – the Navy doesn't have landing craft and logistics to help the Marines land all this stuff and supply it all. So give the Marines dedicated amphib ships and supply chain.

Now we're going back to "put the Marines on an island…they should be fine with Navy arty and air for support…"???

Hmmm … how much lighter can they be ? They already turned in their 200 M1 MBTs.

As far as guerilla warfare Light and Heavy Infantry units can operate in that environment. And in many cases hunting down the insurgent is a dismounted op. In difficult terrain, etc.

So regardless IMO Infantry units can operate in an insurgency. E.g. the IDF is doing pretty damn good in fighting the Hamsa insurgents in a MOUT environment. Using all the assets that is expected in modern Combined Arms Warfare.

SB makes some good points in his post. I'd think the USMC and USN have thought all that out ?