THE CORPST
he Marine Corps Commandant, Gen Joseph F.
Dunford Jr., concludes that the volatile and com-
plex global security environment has generated a
“growing demand for Marine capabilities” for expedi-
tionary operations and the readiness for rapid response to
crises. And his initial guidance prescribes some dramatic
steps to ensure the Corps is able to meet those demands.
The guidance, “Innovate, Adapt, Win,” released Jan.
23, calls for reallocating scarce resources to ensure that
all Ma rine units, not just those forward deployed, are
combat ready. It also seeks changes in personnel poli-
cies to create more sta bi lity in unit manning and
improve “leadership at all levels.”
Dunford also proposes to reverse a recent shift of
emphasis from the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) to
the smaller Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) as the
primary warfighting organization, increase psychological
screening of Marine recruits and initiate an aggressive pro-gram of exercises and experiments to
ensure the Corps can conduct
amphibious operations despite
increasing anti-access, area-denial
(A2AD) capabilities. And reflecting
the qualities of an officer whose
aggressive leadership of the 5th
Marines during Operation Iraqi
Freedom earned him the nickname
“Fighting Joe,” the primary focus of
Dunford’s guidance is warfighting.
“My initial guidance is intended
to outline how we will set the condi-
tions to fight and win against future
enemies,” he writes, adding, “To
meet the expectations of the Ameri -
can people, everything we do must
contribute to our combat readiness
and combat effectiveness.”
Dunford opens his guidance
with a list of what he calls “endur-
ing prin ciples” that include the
declaration that “Marines are focused on combat; every
Marine is a ri fle man” and they are “ready, relevant and
forward deployed.”
He then offers a positive view, saying that his meet-
ings with Marines during his first months as comman-
dant “reinforced my belief that our United States Marine
Corps is fundamentally in good shape. We are recruiting
and retaining high quality Marines, we are adequately
equipped, we are well trained,” are developing the next
generation of leaders, and the infrastructure of the bases
and stations “is better than it has been in decades.
“Most importantly,” he continues, “our forward-
de ployed Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) are
re sponding to crises around the world and winning the
na tion’s battles. The demand for Marines is strong and
your re cent performance in every clime and place ...
speaks for itself,” he said, using a phrase from the Marine
Corps Hymn.Innovate, Adapt, Win’
Guidance looks at improving warfighting
capabilities, quality of the Marine CorpsBy OTTO KREISHER, Special Correspondent‘
Enduring Principles
Marine Corps Gen Joseph F. Dunford Jr. released his Comman -
dant’s Planning Guidance 2015 on Jan. 23. Titled “Innovate,
Adapt, Win,” the document calls for reallocating resources to
ensure all Marine units are combat ready.
Dunford cites a long list of the challenges ahead and his plans to
ad dress them, starting with acknowledging that the Corps has “ac -
cepted risk in the readiness of our non-deployed units, our ground and
logistics modernization efforts and our infrastructure sustainment.”
The guidance did not explain how Dunford would create what
he called “balanced readiness” for all units if sequestration
remains in effect.
He also calls for developing a concept of operations to use
alternative ships, such as the joint high-speed vessel and Military
Sealift Command supply ships, to compensate for the lack of
amphibious ships.24 S E A P O W E R / A P R I L 2 0 1 5 W W W. S E A P O W E R M A G A Z I N E. O R G