{ "id": "R43355", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "R43355", "active": false, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 428535, "date": "2014-02-28", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T23:05:31.587801", "title": "Marine Corps Drawdown, Force Structure Initiatives, and Roles and Missions: Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "The Marine Corps characterizes itself as a crisis response expeditionary force which is task organized and able to conduct operations across the entire spectrum of military operations. The Corps is a \u201cmiddleweight force\u201d that is designed to fill the void in our Nation\u2019s defense structure between light Special Operations Forces (SOF) and heavier conventional units. The Marines\u2019 missions are codified in U.S. Code, Title 10, Section 5063, United States Marine Corps: Composition and Functions, and marines are the nation\u2019s primary amphibious force, capable of conducting amphibious assault operations in both permissive and non-permissive environments. Marine operational forces are organized for specific tasks and consist of four elements; a command element; a ground combat element; an aviation element; and a logistics combat element. There are four types of Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs): the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF); the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB); the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); and the Special Purpose MAGTF.\nA number of decisions pertaining to national security strategy, force structure, and declining defense budgets have resulted in a drawdown of the active Marine Corps from 202,000 in 2011 to 174,000 by 2017. On February 24, 2014, Secretary of Defense Hagel announced that the Marines would draw down to a 182,000 Marine active force, but if sequestration-level cuts were reimposed in 2016 and beyond, the Marines would shrink to a 175,000 Marine active force.\nThe Marines have instituted a number of force shaping programs to reach the 182,000 endstrength. They believe this force level can be achieved through natural attrition as well as voluntary separation programs where Marines who leave the service early can receive financial compensation. Officials caution that if the Marines are required to drawdown lower than 182,000, involuntary separation programs might need to be enacted.\nThe Marines have instituted a number of force structure initiatives including creating Special Purpose MAGTFs - Crisis Response (SPMAGTF-CR) to respond to a variety of regional crises, including attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities and personnel. In the wake of the September 11, 2012, Benghazi attack, Congress authorized 1,000 additional Marine security guards beginning FY2014. In response, the Marines are in the process of expanding their Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. The Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is also regionally-aligning its operational units and taking steps to begin deploying small MARSOC teams with MEUs.\nA sampling of academic discussions focusing on the Marine Corps of the future suggests the Marines and Special Operations Forces (SOF) could be given the lead responsibility for worldwide ground engagement. Another proposal suggests that Marines should operate in small, decentralized units and that the Marines\u2019 focus could shift to company and battalion-sized units, the so-called \u201csweet spot\u201d for joint ground forces. Others contend that more Marine major war fighting units, such as armor, be moved into the Marine Corps Reserves and that Marine Aviation should be reorganized.\nA potential issue for Congress includes should the Marines be given the leading role in the Pacific and should their primary focus be crisis response? Other possible issues for examination include how much amphibious assault capability does the Marine Corps need; should MEUs be reorganized; and should more of the Marines\u2019 major warfighting capability be placed in the Reserves?", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R43355", "sha1": "bd8d86cdd93a1eb5af50f55e4c823c82ccd8368f", "filename": "files/20140228_R43355_bd8d86cdd93a1eb5af50f55e4c823c82ccd8368f.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R43355", "sha1": "a99ea73f42bde501658cdfcf2d4ec56860b1be49", "filename": "files/20140228_R43355_a99ea73f42bde501658cdfcf2d4ec56860b1be49.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc463067/", "id": "R43355_2014Jan09", "date": "2014-01-09", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "Marine Corps Drawdown, Force Structure Initiatives, and Roles and Missions: Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report provides background information regarding the Marine Corps that characterizes itself as a crisis response expeditionary force, which is task organized and able to conduct operations across the entire spectrum of military operations. The report discusses the force reduction and shaping programs, force structure initiatives, marine corps roles, missions, and force structure.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20140109_R43355_40af869358e7ff56a6d5c762d23a06ac771d348d.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20140109_R43355_40af869358e7ff56a6d5c762d23a06ac771d348d.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Marine resources", "name": "Marine resources" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense policy", "name": "Defense policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "National defense", "name": "National defense" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Marines", "name": "Marines" } ] } ], "topics": [ "National Defense" ] }