17 things Marines need to know for 2018...
17 things Marines need to know for 2018
The Marine Corps pushes into 2018 under a cloud of uncertainty.
The Corps’ leadership wants to grow the force, but how to pay for it remains unclear. Marines are still in Afghanistan training, advising and assisting in a classic counterinsurgency fight, but the Corps also feels a growing urgency to prepare for a full-scale conventional fight against a near-peer adversary like Russia or China.
The readiness problems of the past five years are more pressing than ever — especially in Marine Corps aviation — but the top brass has been unable to offer a long-term solution.
Here’s a preview of what’s in store — and what’s in flux — for the Marines in 2018
New in 2018: Plans to grow the Corps on hold
Plans to grow the force may be on the back-burner in 2018.
New in 2018: ‘Fast drying’ and ‘lightweight’ tropical uniform and boots
Marines in Hawaii have been testing the new tropical uniforms.
New in 2018: Corps adopts M855A1 round
The Marine Corps will be adopting the Army’s enhanced 5.56mm rifle round for Marines in combat.
New in 2018: F-35B baptism of fire
F-35Bs will deploy with two Marine expeditionary units in 2018.
New in 2018: CH-53K Super Stallion heavy-lift helos
The first four new heavy-lift helicopters will be delivered in 2018.
New in 2018: 1.6 million troops will choose between old and new retirement systems
Troops will have to decide to stay with the traditional military retirement system or move to the new Blended Retirement System.
New in 2018: Big Tricare changes are on the way
Is your doctor part of the new Tricare network?
New in 2018: Lawmakers gear up for military pay and benefits fights
The annual pay raise and ongoing military housing reform proposals will once again be a defense budget focus in 2018.
New in 2018: US troops return to the front lines in Afghanistan
In what appears to be a bit of deja vu for America’s longest war, U.S. troops will once again be patrolling alongside their Afghan counterparts in far larger numbers and at a more tactical level than the previous years.
New in 2018: The fight against ISIS evolves
The Islamic State group’s physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria has been destroyed, but the group is not defeated.
New in 2018: Corps will select upgraded amphib vehicle
The *Marines will select a new combat Assault *Amphibious Vehicle to replace the current fleet.
New in 2018: Replacing Light Armored Vehicles’ obsolete anti-tank turrets
The workhorse vehicle will remain in use until 2035.
New in 2018: Marines to field new radar system
The Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar has been under development for a decade.
New in 2018: Court-martial for Parris Island Battalion commander
Lt. Col. Joshua Kissoon was charged subsequent to the death of recruit Raheel Siddiqui.
New in 2018: ‘Forever GI Bill’ changes take effect
Benefits will expand for post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients.
New in 2018: Services to focus on excess training, education requirements
Each service was directed to provide recommendations on how to streamline training requirements.
New in 2018: Historic Marine Corps battle anniversaries this year
Many battles that have a special place in Corps history will have major anniversaries in 2018.
