U.S. Marines with Company A., 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin dismount two MV-22B Ospreys during Exercise Koolendong at Bradshaw Field Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 29, 2021. U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Jacob Foster
2021 Top Ten: Marine Corps
Plenty of changes are coming to the Corps as its commandant seeks nimbler units and a modern approach to recruiting and retention.
Here are some of the top Marine Corps stories of 2021:
The Marine Corps Is Redesigning Infantry Battalions for the Future // Caitlin M. Kenney: Recommendations for a nimbler unit organization with fewer grunts and more tech will go to the commandant next year.
Marine Corps Seeks ‘Fundamental Redesign’ to Recruiting, Retention, Careers // Caitlin M. Kenney: Commandant wants to keep young Marines longer, bring in older ones with skills.
The Marines Are Looking for a Few Older People // Caitlin M. Kenney: The Corps’ shift to a lighter, distributed force requires skills and judgment that may be easier to recruit than build, training chief says.
US Marines Must Relearn to Protect Pacific Supply Lines, Commandant Says // Caitlin M. Kenney: As a backup, Berger says, troops must learn to “forage” for some supplies.
Marines Remove AAVs From Deployment, Water Ops // Jennifer Hlad: The amphibious assault vehicle associated with the deadly 2020 sinking will no longer be used for deployments or offshore training.
US Marines May Have Lost Their ‘Amphibious Edge,’ Leaders Say // Elizabeth Howe: Top Marines tell Congress that after deadly AAV accident and years in Middle East, the Corps and its vehicles are unprepared for waterborne operations.
Marine General Punished For Training, Evaluation Failures Before Deadly Accident // Caitlin M. Kenney: Commandant’s decision may end Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi’s career.
13 US Troops Killed, More Injured, in Terrorist Attack at Kabul Airport // Tara Copp,Elizabeth Howe: 10 Marines among the dead; they were securing one of the last gates open for Afghans, Americans to escape.
Marine Corps Commandant Wants Review of Afghanistan Evacuation // Caitlin M. Kenney: “While it's relatively fresh in our minds, we need the honest, open critique,” Gen. Berger says.