Marine Corps Light Infantry

Over the past two decades, while the United States and its allies have been engaged in counter-insurgency operations, China has developed a sophisticated anti-access/area denial capability that presents a threat to once uncontested freedom of movement and access to the global commons. To combat this new challenge will require a fundamental change in how all elements of the joint force are employed. While Marine infantry alone will not solve the problem, they will be a crucial supporting effort to both the Navy and the larger joint force. However, for Marine infantry to be successful in this future environment, will require them to reduce their signature by operating in smaller, more distributed formations, often great distances from their higher headquarters and adjacent units. Current Marine infantry is neither manned, trained, or equipped for this new method of employment and must adjust course rapidly or risk irrelevancy in the future fight. In light of these new challenges Marine Corps infantry must transition from conventional line infantry designed for heavy amphibious forcible entry operations and sustained ground combat operations to an elite light infantry force, optimized for low-signature distributed operations.