U.S. Military Must Transform and Coordinate

"Many significant issues exist for a transformed U.S. Marine Corps ("Marines' Transformation Spurs Debate," World News, Dec. 29).

First, the combat employment of the transformed Marines rests on the bold, strategic assumption of unimpeded access to the sovereign territory of cooperating nations. The U.S. cannot guarantee iron-clad entry into the archipelagic and maritime nations of the Indo-Pacific theater, with the exception of treaty allies such as Japan, in time of war.

Second, for the Marines to get to the fight, the Navy must procure 35 new, small amphibious ships. If the Navy's shipbuilding budget isn't increased, it must stop or reduce procurement of other high-priority ships such as its future ballistic-missile submarine, frigate and attack submarine. Given the Indo-Pacific theater's vast distances, the Navy may need more tenders to rearm submarines, oilers to refuel task forces and logistics ships to sustain and repair the fighting fleet.

Third, the U.S. Army is fielding similar warfighting units to the Marines. Like the Marines, the Army also has a requirement for new, small amphibious ships to transport its warfighting units. The U.S. cannot afford potentially duplicative warfighting and amphibious capabilities from both the Army and the Marines. Unfortunately, there is an absence of a unifying and coherent joint force strategy and plan to resolve these issues. A shared understanding of how the U.S. military intends to fight in the future would be most useful.

Bruce B. Stubbs

Alexandria, Va.

Mr. Stubbs is a former director of strategy and strategic concepts in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations." [1]

1. U.S. Military Must Transform and Coordinate. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 09 Jan 2024: A.14.