Problem
Political disorder can turn a local coastal crisis into an unpredictable conflict.
Action
Plan for sudden changes in threats, authorities, and operating conditions.
Outcome
The force can respond effectively when events break the original plan.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - After the Cold War: The "New Anarchy"
Problem
A poor understanding of a crisis can lead to the wrong response.
Action
Determine whether disaster, disruption, or dispute is driving the crisis.
Outcome
The response addresses the main source of instability.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Crises: Disaster, Disruption, Dispute
Problem
Separate organizations can weaken the response when they act without coordination.
Action
Integrate specialized units under a shared purpose and clear command relationships.
Outcome
Different capabilities produce a unified operational effect.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Fragmentation and Integration
Problem
A regional war can demand large forces with little warning.
Action
Maintain plans and capabilities for rapid deployment into major combat.
Outcome
The force can respond before the enemy secures a decisive advantage.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Major Regional Contingency
Problem
A small crisis can become harder when the deployed force is poorly matched to it.
Action
Deploy the smallest force that can control the situation and protect itself.
Outcome
The mission receives enough capability without unnecessary cost or escalation.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Smaller-Scale Contingencies
Problem
Nonstate groups often operate without the structures used by conventional forces.
Action
Map their leaders, support networks, motives, and sources of influence.
Outcome
Operations can target the relationships that sustain the threat.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Nonstate Actors
Problem
Weak institutions and limited infrastructure can restrict military operations.
Action
Base plans on the actual political, economic, and physical conditions of the host nation.
Outcome
The force avoids relying on support that does not exist.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - The Developing World
Problem
Dense and growing populations can increase competition for land, services, and security.
Action
Assess population movement and local needs before choosing operational priorities.
Outcome
The force can anticipate where instability is most likely to spread.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Population Factors
Problem
Urban terrain limits movement and places civilians near military targets.
Action
Train units to navigate dense terrain while maintaining control of force and protecting civilians.
Outcome
The force can achieve its purpose with less harm and confusion.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Urbanized Terrain
Problem
Coastal crises often develop where access from land is difficult or politically restricted.
Action
Use naval forces to approach, position, support, and withdraw forces from the sea.
Outcome
Leaders gain flexible access without depending on permanent bases ashore.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - The Importance of the Sea and the Littoral Regions
Problem
Widely available weapons can give small groups serious striking power.
Action
Plan protection and tactics around the most dangerous weapons present in the area.
Outcome
The force reduces its exposure to sudden and disproportionate losses.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Weaponry
Problem
Littoral crises combine political disorder, difficult terrain, and varied threats.
Action
Create flexible plans that remain useful across several plausible conditions.
Outcome
The force can act quickly without depending on accurate predictions.
Chapter: The Landscape: Chaos in the Littorals - Conclusion
Problem
Military activity can waste resources when it lacks a clear political purpose.
Action
Connect every expeditionary mission to a defined national interest and desired result.
Outcome
Commanders can judge whether military action supports national policy.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - National Interests, Crisis Prevention, and Crisis Response
Problem
Forces operating abroad must function with limited local support.
Action
Prepare a deployable force capable of entering, operating, sustaining itself, and leaving.
Outcome
The force can complete missions beyond its permanent bases.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Expeditionary Operations Defined and Discussed
Problem
Deploying forces abroad entails costs, risks, and political consequences.
Action
Use expeditionary forces only when their presence can prevent, contain, or resolve a crisis.
Outcome
The deployment serves a necessary and achievable purpose.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Reasons for Conducting Expeditionary Operations
Problem
A force can arrive too slowly or without the capabilities needed first.
Action
Sequence preparation, movement, entry, buildup, employment, and withdrawal before deployment.
Outcome
Useful combat power reaches the objective in the required order.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Sequence in Projecting Expeditionary Forces
Problem
Dependence on comfort and fixed support reduces speed and flexibility.
Action
Train people to deploy quickly and work effectively with limited resources.
Outcome
The force remains ready for austere and uncertain missions.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Expeditionary Mindset
Problem
Land bases may be unavailable when a crisis begins.
Action
Use ships as mobile bases for command, logistics, aviation, and maneuver.
Outcome
The force can influence events without requiring immediate access ashore.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Naval Character
Problem
A distant crisis can worsen before a heavy force arrives.
Action
Balance rapid transport with the combat power required at the destination.
Outcome
The force reaches the crisis soon enough to shape events.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Strategic Mobility: Closure Rate and Global Reach
Problem
Arrival in a region does not ensure access to the operational objective.
Action
Provide the force with sea, air, and ground options for movement within the theater.
Outcome
Commanders can shift combat power as the situation changes.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Operational Mobility
Problem
Mobility has little value when units cannot employ their capabilities effectively.
Action
Train commanders and units to combine maneuver, fires, intelligence, and logistics.
Outcome
The force converts access into effective action.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Operational and Tactical Competence
Problem
An expeditionary force can lose effectiveness when supplies arrive too late.
Action
Plan transportation, maintenance, medical support, and replenishment before operations begin.
Outcome
The force can maintain its required pace and strength.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Sustainability
Problem
Expeditionary missions often develop differently from the original forecast.
Action
Give trained leaders enough authority and resources to adjust their methods.
Outcome
The force remains effective as threats and missions change.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Adaptability
Problem
A completed operation can leave units short of people, equipment, and training.
Action
Rebuild personnel, equipment, supplies, and skills immediately after redeployment.
Outcome
The force becomes ready for the next mission sooner.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Reconstitution
Problem
An oversized response can consume resources needed for other missions.
Action
Select the least costly force that can achieve the required result.
Outcome
The mission succeeds while preserving capacity for future demands.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Cost-Effectiveness
Problem
Strength in one expeditionary capability cannot offset serious weakness in another.
Action
Balance mobility, competence, sustainment, adaptability, recovery, and cost in force design.
Outcome
The force can deploy, succeed, and remain ready.
Chapter: The Nature of Expeditionary Operations - Conclusion
Problem
Sea control and action ashore require capabilities from several naval services.
Action
Integrate Navy and Marine Corps forces through shared planning and command relationships.
Outcome
The naval force can create access and project power ashore.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Naval Expeditionary Forces
Problem
Unclear force ownership can delay deployment and employment.
Action
Assign ready Marine forces to commands with defined responsibilities for preparation and support.
Outcome
Commanders can provide organized forces in a crisis.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Marine Corps Forces Commands
Problem
Separate combat and support units cannot act effectively without integration.
Action
Form each Marine Air-Ground Task Force around a command element with balanced capabilities.
Outcome
One commander can direct a self-contained combined force.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Marine Air-Ground Task Forces
Problem
A task force loses balance when any of its command, ground, aviation, or support capabilities are missing.
Action
Organize the MAGTF with command, ground combat, aviation combat, and service support elements.
Outcome
The force can command, fight, move, and sustain itself as one organization.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - The Structure of the MAGTF
Problem
Large campaigns require more capacity than a small expeditionary unit can provide.
Action
Employ a Marine Expeditionary Force when the mission demands sustained combat at large scale.
Outcome
The commander gains a powerful force for major theater operations.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - The Marine Expeditionary Force
Problem
Some crises require capable forces before larger units can arrive.
Action
Maintain a Marine Expeditionary Unit at sea with trained special mission capabilities.
Outcome
Leaders gain an immediate and flexible response option.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - The Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)
Problem
Standard force packages may not fit an unusual or limited mission.
Action
Build a Special Purpose MAGTF with only the capabilities required for the assigned task.
Outcome
The force matches the mission without unnecessary size.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - The Special Purpose MAGTF
Problem
Moving heavy equipment from the home station can delay a large deployment.
Action
Store equipment and supplies on ships in regions where employment is likely.
Outcome
Personnel can fly in and quickly form an operational force.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Maritime Prepositioning Forces
Problem
A crisis may require action before sea transport can deliver equipment.
Action
Keep selected units ready to deploy by air with mission-specific equipment.
Outcome
A capable force can reach the crisis rapidly.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Air Contingency Forces
Problem
Joint commanders may misuse Marine forces without informed advice from the service.
Action
Use a Marine component command to plan, coordinate, and advocate Marine employment.
Outcome
Marine capabilities support the joint campaign more effectively.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Marine Component Commands
Problem
An improvised headquarters may struggle during the first days of a crisis.
Action
Maintain a standing headquarters with trained staff and established procedures.
Outcome
The task force can begin coordinated operations sooner.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Standing Task Force Headquarters
Problem
No single expeditionary organization suits every crisis.
Action
Choose and tailor the force according to mission, scale, access, and required duration.
Outcome
The commander receives the right capabilities under effective command.
Chapter: Expeditionary Organizations - Conclusion
Problem
A slow buildup on a defended shore gives the enemy time to react.
Action
Use naval mobility to strike selected objectives from positions over the horizon.
Outcome
The force creates surprise and avoids enemy strengths.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Operational Maneuver from the Sea
Problem
A defended island becomes costly to seize when enemy support remains intact.
Action
Use sea control, air power, fires, and maneuver to isolate the objective before landing.
Outcome
The landing force faces a weaker, less well-supported defense.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Case Study: The Marianas, 1944
Problem
Initial entry capabilities cannot sustain a long land campaign.
Action
Expand logistics, bases, command systems, and force protection as operations continue.
Outcome
The force can maintain combat power far beyond the landing phase.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Sustained Operations Ashore
Problem
A large multinational deployment can create confusion and logistical congestion.
Action
Coordinate reception, positioning, sustainment, and command arrangements across the coalition.
Outcome
Coalition forces become ready for sustained combat as a coherent force.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Case Study: The Persian Gulf, 1990-1991
Problem
Excessive military action can undermine a mission with political or humanitarian aims.
Action
Apply only the force needed to achieve the limited objective.
Outcome
Military action supports the mission without creating avoidable opposition.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Military Operations Other Than War
Problem
A humanitarian mission can face organized violence despite its peaceful purpose.
Action
Provide intelligence, security, and combat capability based on likely hostile action.
Outcome
The force can protect the mission when consent breaks down.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Case Study: Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991
Problem
Prepositioned supplies provide little value without an efficient assembly process.
Action
Coordinate airlift, ship discharge, equipment issue, and unit integration before arrival.
Outcome
The deployed personnel become an operational force sooner.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Maritime Prepositioning Force Operations
Problem
Prepositioning operations can fail when ports, airfields, or host-nation support is unavailable.
Action
Confirm access, security, infrastructure, and local support before beginning the deployment.
Outcome
Personnel and equipment can assemble without critical delay.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Case Study: Saudi Arabia, 1990
Problem
Expeditionary operations may require rapid entry, sustained action, limited force, or prepositioned support.
Action
Select and combine operational concepts based on the crisis and desired result.
Outcome
The force applies the right method at each stage of the operation.
Chapter: Expeditionary Concepts - Conclusion
Problem
A littoral crisis can shift between evacuation, relief, peace enforcement, and combat.
Action
Reassess the mission and reorganize the force whenever conditions change.
Outcome
The force remains useful across rapid changes in purpose and threat.
Chapter: Epilogue: Operation Littoral Chaos - Case Study: West Africa, 2017-18
Problem
Future coastal crises will combine uncertain threats with urgent political demands.
Action
Maintain naval forces that are ready, flexible, sustainable, and easily tailored.
Outcome
National leaders retain credible options when littoral crises emerge.
Chapter: Epilogue: Operation Littoral Chaos - Conclusion