United States Marine Corps

blog

Supporting America's Veterans: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on helping veterans experiencing homelessness, better care for veterans with brain injuries and PTSD, and easing transitions to the civilian workforce.

q&a

A Tradition of Service: Q&A with Two Veterans

Before they became RAND researchers, Jonathan Wong and Joslyn Fleming served as U.S. Marines. In this interview, they discuss what made them want to join the service, what led them to research, and how their military experience guides the work they do at RAND.

commentary

Indications of Institutional Inertia: The FY2021 USMC Budget

The Grim Reaper is a 700-foot-tall series of hills that Marine Corps recruits must summit to graduate from boot camp. As the Marine Corps attempts to transform from a second land army and counterinsurgency force to operate within contested maritime spaces, its recent budget request suggests that it will need to climb its own Grim Reaper to get there.

Jonathan P. Wong @jonpwong

blog

Ink Tank: At RAND, Tattoos Sometimes Reflect the Research

Three RAND experts and one Pardee RAND student explain how their tattoos reflect their research on the problems Marines face, end-of-life care, migration-related issues, and the changing needs of the labor force.

blog

Amphibious Plans and Posture in Support of NATO Event Held at RAND

A RAND workshop focused on the importance of amphibious and maritime forces working together within NATO. This provided a venue for dialogue and idea exchange about maritime and amphibious challenges and opportunities in Europe.

commentary

Book Review: 'Eye Corps: Coming of Age at the DMZ'

In reviewing Jack Walker's book about his coming of age in Vietnam, Dan Grunfeld says the story is “powerful, thoughtful and engaging. ... The hard and expensive lessons of Walker's youth led to a big-hearted life, full of wisdom and generosity that touched so many.”

Dan Grunfeld

commentary

The Hidden Potential of NATO's Gator Navies

Improving U.S.-European amphibious interoperability would bolster the alliance's defense posture in a non-provocative manner that complements recent moves in land forces. The 2017 Summit in Brussels presents an opportunity to refine allied ground posture while adding this maritime dimension.

Gregory DeMarco, Gene Germanovich

commentary

Land Power and a Third Offset Through a Wide-Angle Lens

The so-called 'third offset' is intended to guide U.S. defense strategy. The right way to view it is as part of a comprehensive vision for competitive advantage, one in which land power, often minimized in offset analyses, can play a central role.

Michael J. Mazarr @MMazarr

commentary

Mullah Sprung from Gitmo Jail Now Leads Foe in Afghan Campaign

As Marine Corps forces roll into southern Afghanistan, they face an enemy familiar to US officials — Mullah Zakir, a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner who now leads a reconstituted Taliban, writes Seth G. Jones.

Seth G. Jones