A new directive from Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller announces dramatic changes to the service set to take place by the end of next year.

Neller, who took command of the Corps in September, released a 13-page “fragmentation order” Tuesday that builds on guidance set forth by his predecessor, Gen. Joseph Dunford, but also includes a handful of brand-new initiatives. Among these: a process that will offer more promotion looks for lance corporals and corporals, the installation of company-level unit fitness instructors to create stronger Marines, and an expansion of Marine Corps cyber, electronic warfare and information operations career fields.

In his FRAGO, titled “advance to contact,” Neller said the order builds on feedback he has received from Marines, sailors and support staff across the fleet. While not formally at war, Neller said, the Marine Corps finds itself facing a high operational tempo and constant global threats not consistent with an interwar period. The Corps, he said, must stay ready and become more modern while continuing a host of ongoing operations…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/01/19/marine-commandant-announces-promotion-cyber-warfare-opportunity.html?ESRC=marine_160126.nl

Capt. Brian “Kenny” Kennedy was a CH-46 pilot by training who had won over fellow CH-53E crew members at Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, despite the intense rivalry between the two aircraft platforms.

Sgt. Dillon “D-Dog” Semolina was a determined Marine who spent a deployment to Australia sneaking out of the barracks at night to meet a girl he would later marry.

Maj. Shawn Campbell was a family man whose call sign, NAFTA, stood for “Not Another F***ing Texas Aggie.”

A Friday memorial service for 12 Marines killed when their CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters collided during a night flight over the Hawaiian coast was largely spent in reminiscences and fond memories about each of the fallen Marines…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/01/22/marines-bid-farewell-to-fallen-helicopter-crews-moving-service.html?ESRC=marine_160126.nl

After years of discussing the uncertain way forward after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Marine Corps has made a list of 14 warfighting challenges that will dictate the shape of future training and prepare the service for the next 20 years of fighting.

The challenges include items such as “special operations forces integration and interoperability,” “improved individual training and education,” and “employ 21st century combined arms.” And each challenge comes with a detailed problem sheet explaining where the Marine Corps is, where it would like to be, and what specific obstacles need to be addressed.

All this will allow the Corps to try out new techniques and technologies during its series of semi-annual joint exercises and war games around the globe, Col. Stephen Neary, deputy commander of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, told Military.com…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/01/23/new-strategy-will-change-how-marines-train.html?ESRC=marine_160126.nl

Just weeks after previously closed military ground combat and special operations jobs weredeclared open to women, the Marine Corps’ special operations command has had its first female applicants.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commanding general of MARSOC, told Military.com the command has already received several requests from female Marines to enter the assessment and selection pipeline to become a critical skills operator. While Osterman could not specify how many women had applied, he said the first female applicant surfaced only days after the Jan. 4 deadline Defense Secretary Ash Carter set for new jobs to open.

“The very first week of January … we had one female applicant on the West Coast,” Osterman said. “Unfortunately, there was something in the prerequisite stuff she didn’t have, a [general technical] score or something. It was, ‘get re-tested and come on back,’ that kind of thing.”..”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/01/20/first-female-marines-apply-to-marsoc.html?ESRC=marine_160126.nl