WARGAMING MARINES

WARGAMING MARINES

By Andy Weddington

Wednesday, 02 February 2022

The bottom line is that any business should be a meritocracy. The best and brightest. Period.  - Billy Beane

For the past four months or so I've spent considerable time with people diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. 

Two of these intriguing people happen to be retired Marines; one a sergeant major (infantryman) the other a lieutenant colonel (fixed wing aviator) and both retired long before I was commissioned; yet we have so much in common. 

The disease has robbed them of short-term memory, some cognitive skills, and has also impacted physical prowess. 

But long-term memory is remarkably clear so in-the-moment substantive conversation is possible. 

Our visits typically 20 minutes or less. 

Mostly, we talk about the Marine Corps. 

I listen to their stories. Sometimes able to interject something relevant. And answer, best I can (being retired 16 years), their questions about today's Marine Corps.

To say each was surprised when I mentioned gender integrated entry-level training and the increasing numbers of females in combat MOSs an understatement. 

Think questioning raised eyebrow.

Retired Marine friends, some mildly upset others outraged over the same issues, have pushed articles to me about the morphing Corps. And complemented those articles with photos of Marines not always presenting themselves in line with core values or the essence of being Marine. [So goes culture with everyone armed with camera and tools to instantly share with the world.] 

For being busy, there's not been time to write. And that's proved good, as it turns out. 

Though I have suggested in short notes to my brothers to relax as the next war sorts out the nonsense; either the morph works with designers and leaders hailed heroes and the Corps adds battle streamers extending an illustrious history, or the color cased. [But nothing tarnishes our service nor that tracing back to Tun Tavern.]

Mulling over all the pieces (e.g., females in ground combat arms; integrated entry-level training; gender-neutral physical and uniform standards (that are not), etc.) for some time now a couple macro questions come to mind. 

Stripping to the essence (and all things being equal) ...

1. Could today's Corps have accomplished that of their brothers nearly 80 years ago in the South Pacific? 

2. Is there (any) doubt the Corps that prevailed in the South Pacific could fight and win today, or tomorrow?

Consider 'Moneyball' analysis - baseball boils down to getting on base and runs. Winning battles boils down to finding, closing on, and killing and/or capturing the enemy. 

If you can't hit, you can't win. 

The batter matters.