Accession Number:

ADA505442

Title:

Training for Small Wars

Descriptive Note:

Research paper

Corporate Author:

MARINE CORPS COMMAND AND STAFF COLL QUANTICO VA

Personal Author(s):

• Readinger, Charles

Report Date:

2006-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

15.0

Abstract:

Small-scale military eruptions around the globe have demonstrated new forms of warfare with a different cast of characters -- guerilla armies, terrorists, and bandits -- pursuing diverse goals by violent means with the most primitive to the most sophisticated weapons. The Marine Corps historically combats these irregular forces in a smaller war. The Marine Corps will engage in small wars as long as the nation maintains military superiority relative to potential enemies. Despite this trend, the Marine Corps has continued to focus the majority of its resources on training for a conventional fight well after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of nonstate actors as the United States primary threat. Now the Marine Corps is fighting a small war in Iraq. Infantry Battalions must remain concentrated on and improve training for small wars by focusing on cultural awareness, specialized skills development, and Marine Corps supported field exercises.

Descriptors:

• *SKILLS
• *OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR
• *URBAN WARFARE
• *FOREIGN LANGUAGES
• *COUNTERINSURGENCY
• *MARINE CORPS TRAINING
• *CROSS CULTURE(SOCIOLOGY)
• CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
• NEGOTIATIONS
• COMMUNITY RELATIONS
• LAW ENFORCEMENT
• MARINE CORPS
• MILITARY EXERCISES
• COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
• MARKSMANSHIP
• IRAQI WAR
• PROFICIENCY

Subject Categories:

• Sociology and Law
• Linguistics
• Military Forces and Organizations
• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE