Transformation of Marine Corps Artillery in Support of the 2015 Expeditionary Force

This study first frames the artillery community's current and future operating environment, defined as the predominant threat models, policy initiatives, and employment practices that define the Transformation process for the artillery community. Based on that defined operating environment, this paper outlines the principal characteristics that the Marine Corps artillery must embody to remain relevant. Specifically, the Marine Corps' versatile artillery must retain its lethal capabilities while further evolving into a multi-purpose community that has the flexibility and efficiency to fulfill the non-lethal requirements of full-spectrum expeditionary operations. In an effort to meet these non-lethal requirements, three Transformation proposals are examined in detail. First, while the Marine Corps' artillery has recently adopted Civil Military Operations (CMO) as an additional mission; however, this mission and role must be further defined and developed. Next, additive Civil Affairs Activities (CAA) capabilities must be embraced and adopted by the Marine artillery. Finally, it is incumbent upon the Marine artillery to formally adopt specified Information Operations (IO) tasks as tactical responsibilities. The proposals addressed in this study specifically focus on the manpower, training, and force employment considerations of the artillery force; arguments centered on future technologies and future tactics, techniques, and procedures will not be addressed as part of this examination. Long-term commitment to the three Transformation Proposals, on the part of the artillery and the Mmine Corps at-large, will create an artillery community poised with the capability and capacity to effectively support small-unit, full-spectrum expeditionary operations by the year 2015.