Controlling Naval Expeditionary Forces at the Operational Level of War: The Case for Creating a Specialized Command Organization

Abstract

Abstract : Current doctrine for amphibious operations has failed to keep up with the evolution of joint warfighting doctrine and practices. The Marine Corps has transformed from being a tactical appendage of the fleet commanders to an expeditionary organization capable of planning, controlling and executing a wide spectrum of missions at the operational level of war. Meanwhile, the US Navy's alleged transformation from a blue water to littoral force is not evident when one looks at how the Navy spends its money or trains its officers. The Marine Corps's warfighting concept - Operational Maneuver From the Sea - provides a viable concept for the employment of Naval Expeditionary Forces in the future security environment. The Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element (MEF CE) is the best command organization for exercising C2 over littoral operations by virtue of its organization, training and leadership. A standing Naval Expeditionary Force Command Element (NEF CE) should be established in PACOM and CENTCOM to plan and control sea-based expeditionary operations for the Combatant Commander (CC). The MEF CE should provide the core of the NEF staff with the MEF Commander (3-Star) serving as the CC's functional component for littoral/expeditionary operations.