The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era
The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era examines the evolving doctrine, weapons, and capability of the United States Marine Corps during the four decades since our last great conflict in Asia. As author Anthony Piscitelli demonstrates, the USMC has maintained its position as the nation’s foremost striking force while shifting its thrust from a reliance upon attrition to a return to maneuver warfare. Piscitelli methodically explains the evolution by using traditional and first-person accounts by the prime movers of this paradigm shift.

In Indochina, for example, the Marines not only held territory but engaged in now-legendary confrontational battles at Hue and Khe Sanh. As a percentage of those engaged, the Marines suffered higher casualties than any other branch of the service. In the post-Vietnam assessment, however, the USMC absorbed Sun Tzu’s aspects of Asian warfare and returned to its historical DNA in fighting “small wars” to evolve a superior alternative to the battlefield.

The institutionalization of maneuver philosophy began with the Marine Corps’ educational system, analyzing the actual battlespace of warfare—be it humanitarian assistance, regular set-piece battles, or irregular guerrilla war—and the role that the leadership cadre of the Marine Corps played in this evolutionary transition from attrition to maneuver. This change has sometimes been incorrectly portrayed (including by the Congressional Military Reform Caucus) as a disruptive or forced evolution. Analysis from former commandants of the Marine Corps to junior officers on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere demonstrate otherwise. The ability of the Marines to impact the battlefield—and help achieve our strategic goals—has only increased during the post-Cold War era.

Throughout The Marine Corps Way of War, the voices of the Marines themselves, in action or through analysis, describe how “the few, the proud” will continue to be America’s cutting-edge force in the future as we move through the 21st Century. This new work is must-reading for not only every Marine, but for everyone interested in the evolution of the world’s finest military force.
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The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era
The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era examines the evolving doctrine, weapons, and capability of the United States Marine Corps during the four decades since our last great conflict in Asia. As author Anthony Piscitelli demonstrates, the USMC has maintained its position as the nation’s foremost striking force while shifting its thrust from a reliance upon attrition to a return to maneuver warfare. Piscitelli methodically explains the evolution by using traditional and first-person accounts by the prime movers of this paradigm shift.

In Indochina, for example, the Marines not only held territory but engaged in now-legendary confrontational battles at Hue and Khe Sanh. As a percentage of those engaged, the Marines suffered higher casualties than any other branch of the service. In the post-Vietnam assessment, however, the USMC absorbed Sun Tzu’s aspects of Asian warfare and returned to its historical DNA in fighting “small wars” to evolve a superior alternative to the battlefield.

The institutionalization of maneuver philosophy began with the Marine Corps’ educational system, analyzing the actual battlespace of warfare—be it humanitarian assistance, regular set-piece battles, or irregular guerrilla war—and the role that the leadership cadre of the Marine Corps played in this evolutionary transition from attrition to maneuver. This change has sometimes been incorrectly portrayed (including by the Congressional Military Reform Caucus) as a disruptive or forced evolution. Analysis from former commandants of the Marine Corps to junior officers on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere demonstrate otherwise. The ability of the Marines to impact the battlefield—and help achieve our strategic goals—has only increased during the post-Cold War era.

Throughout The Marine Corps Way of War, the voices of the Marines themselves, in action or through analysis, describe how “the few, the proud” will continue to be America’s cutting-edge force in the future as we move through the 21st Century. This new work is must-reading for not only every Marine, but for everyone interested in the evolution of the world’s finest military force.
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The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era

The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era

by Anthony Piscitelli
The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era

The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era

by Anthony Piscitelli

Hardcover

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Overview

The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era examines the evolving doctrine, weapons, and capability of the United States Marine Corps during the four decades since our last great conflict in Asia. As author Anthony Piscitelli demonstrates, the USMC has maintained its position as the nation’s foremost striking force while shifting its thrust from a reliance upon attrition to a return to maneuver warfare. Piscitelli methodically explains the evolution by using traditional and first-person accounts by the prime movers of this paradigm shift.

In Indochina, for example, the Marines not only held territory but engaged in now-legendary confrontational battles at Hue and Khe Sanh. As a percentage of those engaged, the Marines suffered higher casualties than any other branch of the service. In the post-Vietnam assessment, however, the USMC absorbed Sun Tzu’s aspects of Asian warfare and returned to its historical DNA in fighting “small wars” to evolve a superior alternative to the battlefield.

The institutionalization of maneuver philosophy began with the Marine Corps’ educational system, analyzing the actual battlespace of warfare—be it humanitarian assistance, regular set-piece battles, or irregular guerrilla war—and the role that the leadership cadre of the Marine Corps played in this evolutionary transition from attrition to maneuver. This change has sometimes been incorrectly portrayed (including by the Congressional Military Reform Caucus) as a disruptive or forced evolution. Analysis from former commandants of the Marine Corps to junior officers on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere demonstrate otherwise. The ability of the Marines to impact the battlefield—and help achieve our strategic goals—has only increased during the post-Cold War era.

Throughout The Marine Corps Way of War, the voices of the Marines themselves, in action or through analysis, describe how “the few, the proud” will continue to be America’s cutting-edge force in the future as we move through the 21st Century. This new work is must-reading for not only every Marine, but for everyone interested in the evolution of the world’s finest military force.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781611213607
Publisher: Savas Beatie
Publication date: 11/17/2017
Pages: 264
Product dimensions: 6.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Anthony (“Tony”) Piscitelli, Ph.D., is currently an adjunct professor in the Global Transportation Department-SUNY Maritime College, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate Maritime Security classes. He is an acknowledged expert in security and physical and electronic security anti-terrorism systems specializing in blast, ballistic and forced entry mitigation. Dr. Piscitelli played an active role in Global War on Terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom for the Departments of State and Defense. He spent a significant amount of time working with Arab Christians at risk in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel, directing his efforts at educational scholarships, affordable housing, and the development of the Lutheran Church’s Ecumenical Center at the Jordan River Baptismal Site. In addition, Dr. Piscitelli has been a benefactor for both the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, the Marine Corps Council of New York City, and the Marine Corps’ Semper Fi Fund. The Marine Corps Way of War: The Evolution of the U.S. Marine Corps from Attrition to Maneuver Warfare in the Post-Vietnam Era is his first book.

Table of Contents

Glossary of Abbreviations viii

Foreword x

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1 The Marine Corps Way of War 1

Chapter 2 Belleau Wood to Beirut 16

Chapter 3 From Congress to the Corps 41

Chapter 4 The USMC in Desert Shield and Desert Storm 54

Chapter 5 Support from the Top 84

Chapter 6 Small Wars and Humanitarian Assists, 1991-2001 106

Chapter 7 Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan 140

Chapter 8 Operation Iraqi Freedom 167

Chapter 9 Conclusions 202

Afterword: Colonel Wyly's Historical Perspective 217

Postscript 221

Bibliography 225

Index 237

Acknowledgments 243

Photos

A gallery of photos follows page 126

Maps

Marine Corps Area of Operations, Kuwait 60

Afghanistan 147

Marine Corps Area of Operations, Southern Iraq and Baghdad 169

Marine Corps Wester Iraq Operational Area 182

Falhijah and Environs 194

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