ALWAYS FAITHFUL, ALWAYS FORWARD: MARINE CORPS CULTURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE CORPS FORCES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
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Authors
Barrett, Sean
Subjects
Special Operations
SOF
special operations forces
MARSOC
Det One
MCSOCOM Detachment
MEU(SOC)
MAU(SOC)
Military Culture
Military Innovation
CSO
Critical Skills Operator
SOO
Special Operations Officer
ITC
Individual Training Course
Assessment
Selection
maneuver warfare
Raider
Rumsfeld
General Gray
defense reform
military reform
professional military education
New Navy
defense reorganization
Goldwater
Nichols
Archibald Henderson
Nunn
Cohen
Hagee
Brown
SOCOM
SOF
special operations forces
MARSOC
Det One
MCSOCOM Detachment
MEU(SOC)
MAU(SOC)
Military Culture
Military Innovation
CSO
Critical Skills Operator
SOO
Special Operations Officer
ITC
Individual Training Course
Assessment
Selection
maneuver warfare
Raider
Rumsfeld
General Gray
defense reform
military reform
professional military education
New Navy
defense reorganization
Goldwater
Nichols
Archibald Henderson
Nunn
Cohen
Hagee
Brown
SOCOM
Advisors
Sepp, Kalev I.
Augier, Mie-Sophia E.
Date of Issue
2018-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The Department of Defense activated U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in 1987, but the Marine Corps did not become a full partner until 2006. This study explores why. The activation of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) demonstrates the limitations of a senior civilian to prompt change in a military organization, especially after his perceived indecision encourages additional resistance. Culture matters. The Marine Corps adopted an "acknowledge and evade" strategy to retain control of its Marines, prevent the creation of an "elite within an elite" in its ranks, and undermine Secretary Rumsfeld’s eventual desire to create a Marine Corps special operations component. The non-traditional backgrounds of the officers and senior-enlisted personnel who proved pivotal in MARSOC’s development exposed them to unique career opportunities that better equipped them to adapt to the demands of the post-9/11 environment. These Marines represented a fundamental disconnect between the culture of the Marine Corps as an institution and how that culture manifested in the actions of its members. They believed in the special operations mission and its importance to the future of the Marine Corps. Motivated by professional duty, they embodied what it means to be a Marine and helped Secretary Rumsfeld overcome an intransigent senior Marine Corps leadership. These quiet professionals are the unsung heroes of the Marine Corps’ journey to a special operations component.
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.