Investing Marine Intelligence Capital in MARSOC: Are the Rewards Worth the Risks to the USMC

摘要

The establishment in 2005 of a Marine component of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) provided the Corps additional opportunities to contribute to the war on terrorism, but at considerable cost to mission effectiveness. Unfortunately, the U.S. Marine Corps' (USMC) capabilities were diminished by the creation of that component, the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Established to support USSOCOM, MARSOC will cost the USMC many intelligence professionals, in addition to force reconnaissance operators and other high demand specialties.1 The quantity of intelligence officers ordered to MARSOC will negatively impact the Marine Corps. conduct of its missions by establishing a separate intelligence community that exacerbates manning shortfalls and diminishes the expertise base of the average intelligence officer.