Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Marine colonel: Here are 10 rules for improving how to equip the force

The October issue of the Marine Corps Gazette has a strong article by Col. Thaddeus Jankowski criticizing how the support organization at Quantico equips the field force. Here are the ten rules he offers. I think they can be applied to any large support organization: "–Question every assumption about how we do business… –Don’t just ...

via Wikimedia
via Wikimedia
via Wikimedia

The October issue of the Marine Corps Gazette has a strong article by Col. Thaddeus Jankowski criticizing how the support organization at Quantico equips the field force. Here are the ten rules he offers. I think they can be applied to any large support organization:

The October issue of the Marine Corps Gazette has a strong article by Col. Thaddeus Jankowski criticizing how the support organization at Quantico equips the field force. Here are the ten rules he offers. I think they can be applied to any large support organization:

"–Question every assumption about how we do business…

–Don’t just tolerate proven innovators — embrace them as you embrace chaos on the battlefield.

–Using the innovators is often more effective.

–Hold Quantico bureaucrats to the same standards of integrity that we require of officers in the field.

–Put your innovators in charge of new initiatives…

–We have an institutionalized pipeline of successful combat commanders — now do the same for military innovators.

–We embraced disobedience of a direct order in a recent Medal of Honor winner when lives were at stake: Apply that same logic to innovators.

–Foster and promote officers who have technological competence.

–If a civilian in MCCDC or MCSC lacks foresight, get rid of him.

–Apply maneuver principles to the Supporting Establishment."

 

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.