Marine Corps Essay Contest—Second Prize
Sponsored by U.S. Naval Institute
Maneuver warfare is a fraud, and maneuver as a warfighting function is dead. At least, that is what some scholars and military analysts claim. We disagree. However, there are ongoing changes in the character of war fueling perceptions that should be addressed. Warfare’s changing character often alters the balance between offense and defense, and the U.S. military faces one of these periodic shifts today.
These changes require professionals to think creatively about the implications. As warfare evolves, remaining ready in the face of technological change is key to the profession of arms. The challenges posed in today’s operating environment complicate maneuver and should stimulate updates to Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication (MCDP) 1: Warfighting.
Read the rest in the latest issue of Proceedings here.
Dr. Frank Hoffman is a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies, Center for Strategic Research at National Defense University.
Colonel Garrett served 28 years on active duty, holding command at every level from rifle platoon to infantry regiment, and served as a division chief of staff.
The views expressed are the authors own and do not reflect those of the National Defense University, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.