Listen to the article
Our nation requires three ARG/MEUs
The Marine Corps commandant underscores the necessity of the Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit for projecting American strength and sustaining deterrence.
November 16, 2025 | Gen. Eric Smith
Just one prototype won’t cut it anymore, Pacific Marine commander tells industry
MARFORPAC is working faster, so it needs companies with innovative gear to show up with multiples.
November 10, 2025 | Jennifer Hlad
Marine Corps axes plan for third littoral regiment, ready to move on medium landing ship
Halfway to 2030, the service’s latest Force Design update teases upcoming “capstone concept.”
October 29, 2025 | Meghann Myers
Marines press ahead with JLTV purchase after Army quits program
Higher prices are expected once the larger service cancels its contract to buy the Humvee replacement.
September 8, 2025 | Meghann Myers
How the Marines’ attack drone team is defining UAV warfare
A competition to find the Corps’ best operators begins this fall.
August 20, 2025 | Meghann Myers
Defense One Radio, Ep. 180: The Marine Corps in the Pacific littorals
Two generals based in Japan discuss the Corps’ multiyear modernization campaign and preparations for potential conflict with China.
May 16, 2025 | Jennifer Hlad
Marines say they’re ‘leading the way’ in battlefield autonomy
But unique technical challenges and tech wariness keep robot trucks on a short leash.
May 3, 2025 | Lauren C. Williams
Marine Corps to field counter-drone systems to dismounted units
The fielding plans follow a September fly-off.
April 9, 2025 | Meghann Myers
Funding gaps slowing down Marine Corps’ modernization efforts
Force Design 2030 is on track, commandant says, but just barely.
January 15, 2025 | Meghann Myers
More is needed to turn the Marine Corps’ aspirations into reality
If the force is truly to have balanced lethality and battlefield resiliency, it will need more ships, missiles, and money.
November 23, 2025 | Charles Krulak, Michael Hagee, and James Conway
Read the full article here
22 Comments
The need for balanced lethality and battlefield resiliency, as emphasized by the commandant, is a key aspect of the Marine Corps’ modernization efforts, and I’m curious to see how they plan to achieve this balance.
It’s not just about having the right equipment, though – the Corps needs to ensure that their personnel are properly trained to operate in a rapidly changing battlefield environment.
The cancellation of the plan for a third littoral regiment is a surprise, but the upcoming ‘capstone concept’ mentioned in the Force Design update has piqued my interest – I’d like to know more about what this entails.
It’s possible that the capstone concept will address some of the technical challenges and tech wariness that have kept robot trucks on a short leash so far.
The Marine Corps’ efforts to field counter-drone systems to dismounted units are a crucial step in staying ahead of potential threats, and I’m interested in learning more about the fielding plans that follow the September fly-off.
The Marine Corps’ decision to press ahead with the JLTV purchase despite the Army quitting the program is a significant development, and I’m curious to see how the higher prices will affect their budget.
It’s likely that the Corps will have to make some tough decisions about where to allocate their resources, but the JLTV’s capabilities make it a worthwhile investment.
The fact that MARFORPAC is working faster and needs companies to show up with multiples of innovative gear is a significant shift in approach, and I wonder how this will impact the development of new technologies.
The fact that the Marine Corps is working on defining UAV warfare with their attack drone team is exciting, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results of the competition to find the Corps’ best operators.
The Force Design 2030 being on track, but just barely, as stated by the commandant, is a concern – the Corps needs to ensure that they’re making steady progress towards their goals.
The commandant’s acknowledgement of the funding gaps slowing down modernization efforts is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address these challenges.
The Marine Corps’ decision to axe the plan for a third littoral regiment is a significant shift in strategy, and I wonder how this will impact their ability to project power in the Pacific.
The fact that the Marine Corps is working on defining UAV warfare with their attack drone team is a significant development, and I’m excited to see how this will enhance their capabilities in the field.
The need for more ships, missiles, and money to turn the Marine Corps’ aspirations into reality, as stated by Charles Krulak, Michael Hagee, and James Conway, is a sobering reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.
It’s not just about throwing more resources at the problem, though – the Corps needs to ensure that their modernization efforts are focused on the right priorities.
The statement that the Marine Corps is ‘leading the way’ in battlefield autonomy is bold, but the unique technical challenges and tech wariness that have kept robot trucks on a short leash so far need to be addressed before this can become a reality.
The Marine Corps’ efforts to modernize their forces are crucial in today’s rapidly changing security environment, and I’m interested in learning more about their plans for the future.
The Corps needs to ensure that they’re not just focusing on technology, but also on the human aspect of warfare – their personnel are their greatest asset.
The statement that the Marine Corps is ‘leading the way’ in battlefield autonomy is a claim that needs to be backed up by concrete results – I’d like to see more data on the effectiveness of their autonomous systems.
The Marine Corps commandant’s assertion that ‘just one prototype won’t cut it anymore’ is a clear call to action for industry partners to step up and provide innovative gear, and I’m curious to see how companies will respond to this challenge.
The discussion about the Marine Corps’ multiyear modernization campaign and preparations for potential conflict with China on Defense One Radio, Ep. 180, is a must-listen for anyone interested in the Corps’ future plans and strategies.
Gen. Eric Smith’s emphasis on the necessity of the Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit for projecting American strength is well-taken, but I wonder how this will be achieved with the current funding gaps slowing down modernization efforts.