Piscitelli, Anthony John (2014) The United States Marine Corps way

250 Pages·2014·2.22 MB·English

Piscitelli, Anthony John (2014) The United States Marine Corps way of
war. PhD thesis.

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Glasgow Theses Service
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The United States Marine Corps Way of War

Submitted by:
Anthony John Piscitelli

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the
Degree of Ph. D.

School of Humanities
College of Arts
University of Glasgow

June 2014

© Anthony John Piscitelli, 15 June 2014.
Abstract:
The United States Marine Corps Way of War
Piscitelli, Anthony John (2014), The United States Marine Corps Way of War. PhD thesis,
University of Glasgow.
No embargo exemption or exception requested.
Printed Thesis Information; http://encore.lib.gla.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C_Rbxxxxxxx.
Abstract:
This thesis examines the evolution of institutionalized doctrine, strategy and tactics relating to,
but not limited only to maneuver warfare as adopted by the United States Marine Corps during
the post-Vietnam period in the United States. The United States Marine Corps also ingrained
aspects of Asian warfare as offered by Sun Tzu; as well a return to its historical DNA in
fighting “Small Wars”. The time frame studied spans the 1970’s through to 2010, using
traditional as well as first person accounts by the prime movers of this perceived paradigm
shift from attritional warfare to a maneuverist approach to warfighting. This evolutionary
period of development for the U.S. Marine Corps was mistakenly referred to as a Revolution
in Military Affairs by members of the Congressional Military Reform Caucus. It has also been
mis-portrayed as a highly disruptive forced evolution. These two outliers were not the case.
The following areas that were affected by this institutionalization of maneuverism were the
Marine Corps’ educational system, the actual battle space prosecution of warfare; be it
humanitarian assistance, regular set piece warfare or irregular guerrilla type warfare, and the
role that the leadership cadre of the Marine Corps played in this evolutionary transition to
maneuverism for the United States Marine Corps. Since Gulf War I the United States Marine
Corps has utilized a non-attritionist demeanor on the battlefield whenever possible.
Item Type: Thesis (PhD).
Qualification Level: Doctoral.
Key Words: U.S. Marine Corps, attritionism, maneuverism, doctrine, strategy, tactics, Asian
warfare, small wars, paradigm, revolution, evolution and irregular warfare.
Subjects: Military History, Modern Warfare, Art of War, Operational Art of War, Small Wars,
U.S. Marine Corps.
Colleges / Schools: College of Arts>School of Humanities>History.
Supervisor’s Name: O’Brien, Dr. Phillips.
Date of Award: 2014.
Embargo Date: None.
Depositing User: Capt. Anthony John Piscitelli, USMM.
Unique ID: _________, 2014-________.

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Table of Contents:
List of Tables: Page 4
Preface: Page 5
Acknowledgements: Page 6
Author’s Declaration: Page 7
Abbreviations: Page 8
Introduction: Page 12
Chapter I: From Belleau Wood to Beirut Page 29
Chapter II: From Congress to the Corps Page 43
Chapter III: Mission Accomplished Page 58
Chapter IV: Support from the Top Page 85
Chapter V: Applied Education and Training Page 100
Chapter VI: Small Wars to Big Wars Page 125
Chapter VII: Operation Enduing Freedom Page 156
Chapter VIII: Operation Iraqi Freedom Page 185
Chapter IX: Conclusions Page 216
Appendix Page 230
References: Page 238

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List of Tables
1. Comparison Chart of U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army Killed in Action and Wounded in
Action for the period commencing with World War I up to and including Desert Storm / Gulf
War I: Page 42.

2. Diagram of Wyly’s Wheel showing the relationships that were responsible for the
“evolution” of maneuver warfare within the U.S. Marine Corps as it redefined its doctrinal
changes that are now a Marine Corps Way of War: Appendix, Page 230.

3. Diagram of Boyd’s OODA Loop with annotations and explanation of the process to disrupt
an adversary in battle: Appendix, Page 231.

4. Comparison of a Five Paragraph Orders and Mission Type Orders. This was taken from the
unpublished 2nd Division U.S.M.C. Maneuver Warfare Handbook, 1985. This was received
from the private files of Colonel G. I. Wilson: Appendix, Page 232-233.

5. Interview questions asked of all contributors to this work: Appendix, Page 234 - 237. The
base questions were given to all interviewees prior to doing each interview. Each interviewee
responded with their answers and then as the discussions progressed, some interviewees
expanded on their responses per specific events. The additional questions for General Gray
and Colonel Wyly were also sent to the remainder of the interviewees as follow up for further
comment and confirmation.

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Preface
The purpose of this work, first and foremost, was the to gain an understanding of how
an iconic institution such as the United States Marine Corps operates in the current
environment of warfare as it is used to project force on behalf of our nation’s security. This
force projection also encompasses non-war instances of providing worldwide humanitarian
assistance in times of horrific disasters, natural or man-made. It became evident that the
Marine Corps was different from the other branches of military service in America. And in all
honesty I wanted to know why it was different, and how this difference had manifested itself.
I came to the above realization because of a business relationship with the Marine
Corps that developed during both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi
Freedom. This business relationship allowed me to develop both a professional insight, and a
humanitarian understanding for the Marines who have either paid the ultimate price of giving
their lives for the nation, and or possibly a higher price in lost limbs and mental anguish - Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder - as they returned home to re-enter the American mainstream.
Having said this I need to acknowledge the roles that Colonel Pat Garvey, General Al
Gray, General Peter Pace, General Jim Jones, General James Conway, Captain Dick Torykian,
Sargent Major Pete Haas and Sargent Eddie Ryan have played in this story. All are “retired”
Marines, and yes as the cliché states: There are no former Marines, just Marines! Garvey,
Gray, Hass and Torykian became my mentors in business and in studying the Marine Corps
itself. Torykian, Haas, Conway, Pace and Jones led me down the path of providing
humanitarian support for those Marines who had been killed while on duty, or returned from
their deployments severely wounded like Sgt. Ryan a Marine sniper. In particular I am
referring to The Semper Fi Fund and the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation; both
are 5 Star charities that I am pleased to be a part of.
As to the specific work of this thesis Al Gray and Pat Garvey are front and center. On
a plane trip with Al Gray we discussed this topic of maneuver warfare, both as a warfighting
tool as well as a business tool. I drank the proverbial “Kool Aide” and learned OODA Loop
and how to apply it in my life. Little did I know that Pat Garvey was an early “evolutionist?”
The more I read Robert Coram’s Boyd (a gift from Pat Garvey, because “I was the guy with as
fast an OODA as Boyd”) the more I wanted to get the rest of the story. The hook was set, and
here I am writing the real history of an evolution in Marine Corps warfighting.
In closing this Preface, there are two important things to remember that will always be
with me, one from General Gray and one from Colonel Garvey. Gray first – If you want a new
idea, read an old book! I’ve read many old books to complete this work; and Garvey next –
There is no such thing as coincidence; it is God’s way of remaining anonymous! Little did I
know how these two Marines would contribute to my education and my life!
Respectfully submitted and Semper Fidelis,
A. J. “Tony” Piscitelli

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Acknowledgement
Let me begin by acknowledging the two most important people at the University of
Glasgow who have kept me focused, and on a track to complete this important part of my life.
First and foremost is my mentor Dr. Phillips O’Brien who has been a true mentor in all sense
of the word. He has offered invaluable guidance, understanding and when necessary the
motivation to get this done. Next is Ms. Christelle Le Riguer, who kept me, enrolled in spite
of the challenges of a long distance New York to Glasgow relationship! Christelle has done
the impossible with accepting FEDEXed tuition payments when the “system” would not
accept my credit card. She has been my bureaucratic mentor on campus and has run
interference for me on the University of Glasgow web site. Thank you both for all you have
done on my behalf, I will always be in both your collective debt.
For Giving me their time and thoughts I need to thank: General James Conway USMC
34th CMC, ret., 2nd Lieutenant Russ Cox USMC, Colonel Patrick Garvey USMCR ret.,
General Alfred M. Gray USMC 29thth CMC, ret., Captain Bruce Gudmundsson USMC ret.,
General Jim Jones USMC 32nd CMC, ret., General John Kelly USMC CG Southern
Command, Lieutenant General Bill Keys USMC ret., General Charles Krulak, USMC 31st
CMC, ret., Mr. Bill Lind, General Robert Magnus, USMC ACMC ret., General James Mattis
USMC ret., Major General Mike Myatt USMC ret., Mr. Damien O’Connor, Captain John
Schmidt, USMC ret., Captain John Schmitt, USMC ret., Major General Ray Smith USMC
ret., Colonel Greg Thiele USMC, Lieutenant General Bernard “Mick” Trainor USMC ret.,
Colonel G I Wilson USMCR ret., Colonel Bill Woods USMC ret., and Colonel Mike Wyly
USMC, ret..
For all the help and support from those selfless Librarians at the Library of Congress,
the USMA at West Points’ Eisenhower Library, the General Al Gray Research Center at
Quantico, VA, and those who shared their private files: Pat Garvey, Al Gray, G.I Wilson, Bill
Lind and the Boyd Family files that are available at AGRC MCU.
Mike Wyly needs to be acknowledged separately for the hours upon hours spent with
me on the phone, in endless emails, getting interviewees and for the time afforded me in
Maine. Mrs. Wyly and his two daughters need special thanks from me as well, for giving up
their time with Mike.
On the technical end I need to thank Cynthia Kushner my transcriptionist, who turned
the audio interviews into meaningful typed documents. And, Karen A. DeVora for proof
reading the thesis for grammar, sentence structure and spelling errors that “Spell Check” did
not catch.
I must give very special thanks to my wife Diana and to all our children and
grandchildren. I thank you deeply for all your love, support, and understanding when it
seemed that this work came before you and family activities, as I know it did. I owe you all
big time!
Lastly I wish to thank all the Marines who have come before, are here now and those
that will add to this thesis in the future, by their service and sacrifice to our nation. You are all
truly what this work is about. Thank you and Semper Fidelis.
If errors are evident, they were not intentional yet belong to me. If there are any, I
apologize in advance for them. --- Again respectfully, A. J. “Tony” Piscitelli.
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Author’s Declaration:

Declaration of Originality Form – Research Degrees
This form must be completed and signed and submitted with your thesis.
Please complete the information below (using BLOCK CAPITALS).
Name ANTHONY JOHN PISCITELLI ....................................................................................................................
Student Number 0914495P .......................................................................................................................................
Title of degree Ph. D ..................................................................................................................................................
Title of thesis THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WAY OF WAR ............................................................
The University's degrees and other academic awards are given in recognition of a student's personal achievement.
All work submitted for assessment is accepted on the understanding that it is the student's own effort. Plagiarism
is defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form, which is not one's own, without
acknowledgement of the sources. For further information on what may be considered ‘plagiarism’, please read
carefully the University’s Statement on Plagiarism as contained in the University Calendar.

I confirm that this thesis is my own work and that I have:
Read and understood the University of Glasgow Statement on Plagiarism YES
Clearly referenced, in both the text and the bibliography or references, all sources used in the work YES
Fully referenced (including page numbers) and used inverted commas for all text quoted from books,
YES
journals, web etc.
Provided the sources for all tables, figures, data etc. that are not my own work YES
Not made use of the work of any other student(s) past or present without acknowledgement. This
includes any of my own work that has been previously, or concurrently, submitted for assessment, YES
either at this or any other educational institution.
Not sought or used the services of any professional agencies to produce this work YES
In addition, I understand that any false claim in respect of this work will result in disciplinary action in
YES
accordance with University regulations

DECLARATION:
I am aware of and understand the University’s policy on plagiarism and I certify that this thesis is my own work,
except where indicated by referencing, and that I have followed the good academic practices noted above

Signed /S/: ANTHONY JOHN PISCITELLI ............................................................................................................

7
Abbreviations:
AAA Anti-Aircraft artillery
AAR After Action Report
AAV Amphibious Assault Vehicle
ACMC Asst Commandant Marine Corps
AH Attack Helicopter
AK A K 47 Russian Assault Weapon
ALMAR All Marine Communication
ANA Afghan National Army
AOR Area of Operational Responsibility
APC Armored Personnel Carrier
AQ al QAEDA
ARVN Army of the Repub. of Vietnam
AT4 Anti-Tank Weapon
AVLB Armored Vehicle Launch Bridge
AWS Amphibious Warfighting School
AW All Weather
AWC Army War College
BIAP Baghdad International Airport
BLT Battalion Landing Team
BrigLT Brigade Landing Team
C2 Command and Control
CAAT Combined Anti-Armor Team
CANG California Nat’l Guard
CAD Combined Air Detachment
CALC Conventional Air Launch
CAP Civil Action Program
CAS Close Air Support
CBIST Chem. Bio Inspection site team
CDET College of Distant Ed & training
CENTCOM Central Command
CFAC Combined Force Air Command
CFLCC Coalition Force Land Component Command
CG Commanding General
CIC Command Intel center
CID Criminal Investigative Div
CLT Company Landing Team
CMC Commandant Marine Corps
COIN Counter Insurgency
CONUS Continental US
CP Command Post
CSC Command Staff College
DNA Master Blueprint
DO Distributive Operations
DEA Drug Enforcement agency
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EPAC Eastern Provence area command
EPME Enlisted Professional Military Ed.
EPW Enemy Prisoner of War
EWS Expeditionary Warfighting School
FA18 Fighter Jet
FAC Forward Air Controller
FARP Forward Arm Refuel Helo
FIE Fly In Echelon
FLIR Forward Looking Infrared Radar
FMFM Fleet Marine Force Manual
FMFLANT Fleet Marine Force Atlantic
FMFPAC Fleet Marine Force Pacific
FMFRP Fleet Marine Force Republished Publication
FOB Forward Operations Base
FROG Flame Resistant Organizational Gear
FSSG Forward Supply Group
GBU Guided Bomb
GDAY Go Day
GWOT Global War on Terrorism
HARM Anti-Radiation Ordinance
HIDACZ High Density Airplane Control Zone
HMH Heavy Hilo Squadron
IED Improvised Explosive Device
ILS Integrated Logistic support
INTERPET Internat’l Force East Timor
JDAM Joint Direct Attack Munition
JSTAR Joint tactical Radio
JTF Joint Task Force
JTFAR Joint Task Force Air
KIA Killed In Action
KTO Kuwait Theater of Operations
LAPD Los Angeles Police Department
LAR Light Armor Recon Company
LAV Light Armored Vehicle
LCAC Landing Craft Air cushioned
LCU Landing Craft-Utility
LHD Landing Hilo Deck
LIA Linear Induction Accelerator
LPD Landing Platform Dock
M1A1 Abrams Tank
MAD Mutually Assured Destruction
MAGTF Marine Air Ground Task Force
MARDIV Marine Division
MAW Marine Air Wing
MAWAS Marine All weather Attack Squad
MCCS MC Command & Staff College
9