Page 116

Transform USMC force structure.

Eliminate all USMC law enforcement battalions.

Transform at least one Marine Infantry Regiment into a Marine Littoral Regiment.

Reduce the size of remaining infantry battalions.

Divest systems or equipment that are better suited to heavier US. Army units.

Maintain divestment of M1 Abrams tanks.

Eliminate the majority of tube artillery (M777) batteries.

Reduce the number of Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles and the number of their replacements.

Use funds made available by divestment of systems to support new systems that are geared to the likely needs of future conflicts.

Increase the number of rocket artillery batteries CHIMARS). Increase the number of upgraded Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) companies.

Increase the number of Unmanned Aerial Systems and anti-air systems (including counter-UAS systems).

Develop long-range strike missiles and anti-ship missiles for the Corps.

Modernize USMC infantry equipment.

Transform the USMC personnel paradigm. More than other services, the USMC relies heavily on junior noncommissioned officers (NCOs) to staff

key positions across the force but especially in combat arms. For example,

E-4s routinely hold squad leader billets when the Army normally has E-6s in

those billets. The nature of more distributed operations and the increasingly

complex responsibilities of a Marine Corps rifle squad and platoon under

Force Design 2030 will only put more responsibility on the backs of squad

leaders and platoon sergeants, increasing the need for more senior Marines

in those critical positions. Additionally, the Corps needs to improve its

retention of junior NCOs after their first enlistments (the Marines have

much lower rates of reenlistment than other branches).**

iE

Align the USMC’s combat arms rank structure with the U.S. Army’s (squad leader billets are for E-6s, and platoon sergeant billets are for E-7s).

Take Action