Re: Intro -- James McGarrahan LO3868

GaltJohn22@aol.com
Sun, 26 Nov 1995 17:26:32 -0500

Replying to LO3861 --

In a message dated 95-11-26 16:59:48 EST, you write:

>You have chosen to cite examples from Marine Corps history that honor the
>"China Marine" era. Nothing wrong with that, but I would argue that the
>modern, information driven, highly administrated enviornment the
>contemporary Marine Corps has to operate in requires sophisticated
>"knowledges" that require a newer organizational dynamic. The Marine
>Corps "core" values hopefully have not changed. The operational
>enviornment has. Thus utilizing the "knowledges" of all individual
>Marines is important, regardless of rank or gender.

Agree, but I believe (please correct if you think I'm wrong) that Marine
Expeditionary Forces as well as other forms of *combat* organization used
by the Corps have traditionally been and are today *task organized*. This
is a highly adaptive method which actually "reaches down" to individual
assignements by knowledge, skill, and experience at both the enlisted and
commissioned levels. I say this as a matter of *practicality." The Corps
is a relatively small organization by service standards and the common
core values have a by-product called the "Back Channel", "Grapevine",
"Jungle Network" or what have you. Studying this informal network, which,
IMHO, is a critical element, would be important to any fruitful change in
organization.

Thanks for the opportunity to discuss. I'm interested in your (correct)
comment that this was written largely of China Marines.

--
Hal Popplewell
GaltJohn22@aol.com