military science

[wrbones]

http://catalog.arizona.edu/1995-97/d.../mlsnsmla.html


There are a number of threads and posts on this site that would otherwise be considered under the heading of military science. Don't neglect them because of the title of this thread. There is a wealth of information for both the 'amateur' and the professional.

[wrbones]

http://www.library.ucsb.edu/subj/military.html


you'll drool over this one folks.....

[wrbones]

http://directory.google.com/Top/Scie...itary_Science/

[wrbones]

http://www.ac.by/science/military.html

[wrbones]

This should give you an idea of which areas to study.....

http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache...=en&ie=UTF-8#2

[wrbones]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...534428-6102344

[wrbones]

http://bubl.ac.uk/link/m/militaryscience.htm

[wrbones]

This list was compiled by an author. It looks like it might be worth the trouble to take a look at.



THE TRIGGER Digital Reference Library
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The MAGTF Weak Link - Rear Area Security

CSC 1984

SUBJECT AREA National Security


THE MAGTF WEAK LINK -
REAR AREA SECURITY






Submitted to
United States Marine Corps
Command and Staff College
Quantico, Virginia
in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
for Written Communication




Major B. M. Youngs
United States Marine Corps

April 6, 1984

THE MAGTF WEAK LINK -
REAR AREA SECURITY


Outline


Thesis statement: To be victorious in future conflicts the
Marine Corps must increase its awareness
of the threat to rear areas, improve
training methods in rear area security
and organize the MAGTF with adequate
resources to provide for its rear area
security.


I. Introduction

II. The Threat
A. World War II historical examples
B. Airborne, Reconnaissance and Division Units
C. Recent Developments - OMG, Air Assault Brigades
and Spetsnaz

III. Current Doctrine
A. Army view - FM 31-85 and FM 100-5
B. Marine Corps view - LFM 02 and FMFM 6-1
C. Problem areas in Marine Corps doctrine

IV. Proposals
A. Threat awareness
B. Combat training for CSS personnel
C. Establish a rear area security force

V. Conclusion

THE MAGTF WEAK LINK - REAR AREA SECURITY


It is generally accepted that the U. S. Marine Corps must

be capable of defeating enemies that will outnumber it in

future conflicts. The next conflict will indeed provide the

Marine Corps with significant challenges and questions. A

major issue is the question of rear area security: Who pro-

vides it and how should it be accomplished? Presently, rear

area security has no clearly articulated doctrine.

"An army marches on its stomach,"1 and indeed it may have

in 1814 when Napoleon allegedly wrote these words, but surely

even the brilliant Napoleon would be amazed were he to see all

the logistical support required by our Marine Air Ground Task

Force (MAGTF). In his last posture statement as Commandant

of the Marine Corps, General R. H. Barrow stated, "The Marine

Corps remains ready to respond to all missions....forward

deployed Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF's) are the root

source of our versatility, flexibility and readiness."2

The capability of the Marine Corps to win future con-

flicts will depend largely upon not only how well we fight,

but more importantly, how well we can logistically sustain

ourselves. MAGTF's are by their nature equipment heavy and

require large logistic support systems. The MAGTF rear area,

from which the logistic support operates, is potentially our

"achilles heel".

Rear area security has been a continuing problem for

armies throughout history. Today is no different; the capa-

bility of the Soviet Union to inflict damage to our rear

areas is a serious threat. Those threats and actions within

the MAGTF rear area which impede or deny the orderly flow of

supplies and services to the forward maneuver elements affect

directly the ability of those maneuver elements to accomplish

their mission.

The U. S. Army's FM 100-5, Operations, considered to be

the capstone publication for U. S. maneuver warfare, specifi-

cally warns:


"Just as we plan to fight in the enemy's rear
area, so he plans to fight in ours. The enemy
will carefully coordinate his attack in our
rear area with his actions in the main battle
area....the object of these rear area attacks
is to destroy critical links, to cause disrup-
tion, and to degrade the capability of forces
dedicated to support or reinforce the main
effort."3

To be victorious in future conflicts, the Marine Corps must

increase its awareness of the threat to rear areas, improve

training methods in rear area security and organize the MAGTF

with adequate resources to provide for its rear area security.

Perhaps at the outset, some terms should be defined.

The rear area is the area in the rear of the combat and

forward areas.4 Rear area security (RAS) is defined as those

measures taken prior to, during, and/or after an enemy

airborne attack, sabotage action, infiltration, guerrilla

action, and/or initiation of psychological or propaganda

warfare to minimize the effects thereof.5 Rear area protec-

tion (RAP) includes all measures taken to prevent interrup-

tions of combat support (CS) and combat service support (CSS)

operations.6

A historical review of rear area operations reveals that

the Soviet Union has traditionally been successful in

employing forces in the enemy's rear area. These rear area

operations were conducted to disrupt or destroy enemy combat

support and combat service support operations and as economy

of force measures to force enemy commanders to divert tactical

or frontline units in defense of their rear areas. Successful

rear area operations in military history serve to emphasize

the importance and magnitude of the rear area security

problem.

In 1943, two nights prior to the Russian counteroffensive,

Russian partisan forces cut the German rail lines of communi-

cations in over 8,400 places. This operation rendered nearly

7,000 miles of rail lines useless for the needed movement of

German reinforcements during the critical phase of the German

defense. Also, in Byelorussia, during the summer of 1944 the

Russian Army organized a partisan force of over 370,000 men;

to counter this problem, the German Army was forced to employ

nearly 13 divisions in a rear area security role.7

More recently, in Vietnam, essential manpower requirements

were pulled from combat support and combat service support

units to occupy static defensive positions. Armored combat

power and air assets were diverted from offensive operations

to provide convoy security and line of communication (LOC)

security. Even with the dedication of vast combat resources,

the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong guerrillas succeeded in

harrassing, disrupting and, on occasion, destroying rear area

support operations.

continued

[wrbones]

continued

These historical examples have pointed out some interesting

and supportive facts about rear area operations: (1) rear area

security has often failed to receive command attention propor-

tionate to the threat; (2) rear area operations have histori-

cally been an effective tactic; (3) rear area operations are

relatively constant and are conducted to disrupt logistical

support, to withdraw combat troops from operations against

opposing regular forces, and to commit reserves to the extent

that they cannot influence regular operations.

The Soviet Army has had tremendous experience with rear

area operations and is cognizant of their effectiveness.

Having stated the historical significance of rear area opera-

tions, it is now appropriate to examine briefly the threat

imposed by our most likely enemy in future conflicts.

Undoubtedly, there are those who doubt that the Marine Corps

will ever be engaged in combat against Soviet or Warsaw Pact

forces. They may be correct. However, a cursory review of

Marine Corps contingency plans reveals the possibility of

Marines supporting naval campaigns in Norway or protecting

critical choke points, i.e., the La Peruse Straits or

guarding U. S. availability to Middle East oil assets. The

fact remains, there are numerous instances where Marines

could reasonably find themselves facing Soviet or Warsaw

Pact forces or their trained surrogates.8 If the Marine Corps

does fight Soviet forces or their surrogates, it will be

facing a definite threat to its rear areas and must be

prepared to engage and defeat this threat.

The lessons of World War II are still vivid in the minds

of the Soviet military hierarchy. The two principles of war

which seem to dominate Soviet military doctrine are:

offensive and mass. Western strategists and tacticians are

continuously working on methods to defeat or counter these

Soviet capabilities.

The immediate question should be, "What is the threat

today?" The principles of war, economy of force (the recipro-

cal of mass) and the offensive, are the driving factors in the

importance of rear area operations as a force multiplier in

Soviet doctrine today.

The evolution of Soviet doctrine for the employment of

ground forces developed rapidly in post World War II. Soviet

conventional ground forces were trained and equipped to

maneuver motorized rifle and tank units in seizing objectives

deep in the enemy rear areas. Soviet doctrine continues to

emphasize the offensive and high-speed penetration of enemy

defenses and combat formations to seize deep objectives.

The Soviet desant concept9 advocates employing forces

in the enemy rear areas or flanks. This concept is a consol-

idation of Soviet thinking in the employment of airborne,

heliborne, and amphibious forces in economy of force opera-

tions to disrupt the enemy rear area. The desant concept is

an accessory to the principle of the offensive because its

primary purpose is to support the advance of the Soviet

regular ground forces.

The Soviet forces involved in rear area operations would

be drawn primarily from three sources: airborne units, long-

range reconnaissance units from tank and motorized rifle

units, and designated combined arms units (also called forward

detachments) from tank and motorized rifle units.10

The Soviet Union maintains the world's largest airborne

force which is organized into seven active divisions.11 The

most important feature of these airborne divisions and their

subordinate units is that, once landed, they are a light-

armor mechanized force. The BMD is the airborne equivalent

of the Soviet Infantry combat fighting vehicle BMP, and, as

such, provides Soviet airborne forces a significant mobility

and firepower capability.

Soviet doctrine assigns three basic missions to airborne

forces: (1) strategic; (2) operational; and (3) tactical.12

The primary difference in these missions is the depth of

operation and the nature of the objectives. Of importance

to this paper are the operational and tactical missions.

Operational missions in support of the Front (largest Soviet

fighting organization) are executed under the control of the

Front commander. These missions include seizing bridgeheads,

airfields, road junctions, as well as destruction of enemy

logistical facilities. Operating in the enemy rear areas,

these units prevent the effective and timely employment of

reserve forces and generally disrupt the enemy's offensive

and defensive posture. Standard procedure for operational

missions of this nature would involve dropping a regimental-

sized unit up to 300km beyond the FEBA in support of a Front

offensive. Ground forces linkup would occur within two to

three days with the airborne forces.

The tactical mission concept includes battalion to

regimental-sized operations up to 100km beyond the FEBA in

support of an Army offensive. Linkup in these operations is

planned within 48 hours. The tactical mission has objectives

similar to operational missions, but on a smaller scale.

Tactical long-range reconnaissance units are found in

reconnaissance battalions of motorized rifle and tank

divisions, The mission of these units is to conduct ground

reconnaissance of the enemy rear area up to 100km beyond the

FEBA. These battalions are capable of operating in an area

of 50-60km wide on three or four axes. Six to eight armored

reconnaissance squads, each consisting of two to three BRDM's

and/or BMP-R's and motorcycles, are used. Their primary

mission is reconnaissance, but they may attack small targets

of opportunity or even conduct sabotage operations against

logistic units. In addition, long-range reconnaissance

patrols are often flown by helicopter. They can operate

throughout a rear area to locate both reserve force and

command post locations and to recon possible avenues of

approach.13

continued

[wrbones]

continued


The special combined arms unit, also called a forward

detachment, is typically composed of a motorized rifle

battalion with tanks, self-propelled artillery, and air

defense weapons. This detachment is a small, highly mobile

and firepower intensive unit. These forward detachments take

advantage of a gap in the enemy front and penetrate deep into

the enemy rear area. The objectives of these small independent

units vary according to the situation. These detachments are

key elements in the successful linkup with airborne and heli-

copter forces.14 How valid a threat is a forward detachment?

According to Victor Suvorov, author of Inside the Soviet Army,

one battalion in each Soviet regiment is held ready to assume

the mission of a forward detachment at all times.15

In conjunction with the Soviet forces previously mentioned

three additional organizations have been recently identified

as having the primary mission of operating in an enemy's rear

area. The three organizations are: the Spetsnaz; Air Assault

Brigades; and the Operational Maneuver Group (OMG).

The Spetsnaz are the special purpose or unconventional

warfare forces of the Soviet Union. Each Combined Arms Army

and Tank Army has a Spetsnaz Company totalling approximately

105 personnel. Depending upon its assigned mission, the

company can operate as an entity or it can be fragmented into

smaller groups and teams. In addition, each Front has a

Spetsnaz Brigade of approximately 1300 highly-skilled, elite

troops.16 Spetsnaz troops are all volunteers and are superbly

trained to operate in a clandestine manner behind enemy lines.

The Soviets consider that Spetsnaz operations can only be

successful if they take place simultaneously on a massive

scale with other operations. Spetsnaz units are placed in

areas where there are numerous high-value targets (i.e.,

command posts, logistical facilities).

The Soviet Air Assault Brigades represent a significant

increase in the Front level combat capability. These brigades

have a combination of battalions which are parachute and BMD-

equipped. The air assault brigade is capable of undertaking

a myriad of missions because of its unique structure, mobility,

and firepower. The brigade consists of three battalions with

approximately 2,500 personnel; the battalions are employed by

airborne drop or by helicopter. The missions assigned the

heliborne battalions include neutralization of command posts,

seizure of key terrain, and destruction of logistics sites.17

Soviet doctrine for the employment of heliborne forces states

that those forces can be inserted anywhere in the tactical

depth of the enemy's defense or combat formations up to 50km

from friendly forces.

The Operational Maneuver Group (OMG) appears to be a

large one-way raiding force, composed of infantry, tanks,

artillery, air defense and a heavy air assault component.18

The Soviets believe that successful OMG operations could

severely disrupt the enemy rear area, thereby increasing the

chances of maintaining the rapid advance of Army and Front

level forces. The OMG is a specially tailored combat force

with no fixed structure. The OMG has three main missions,

all of which are directed at the enemy's rear area: (1)

destruction of enemy weapons systems; (2) destruction of the

enemy's in-depth defense or offensive combat formation

(actions by the OMG would include destruction of command and

control positions, logistics assets and surprise attacks on

flank and rear area units); (3) seizure of deep key terrain

and critical objectives.

It should be readily apparent that the Soviet threat to

rear area security is quite significant. Soviet operations

in the rear area will not of themselves be of sufficient scale

to bring about a Soviet victory. One major function of all

the forces mentioned is to reduce the enemy's capacity to

resist, thus making it easier for the main attacking forces

to accomplish their missions.

Having described the Soviet threat to rear areas, it would

be appropriate to review what current doctrine provides

the conduct of rear area security operations.

U. S. Army doctrine is found in FM 31-85, Rear Area

Protection (RAP) Operations. Though issued in 1970, it does

provide a basic philosophy of RAS and eight principles which

are still valid: austerity, command, economy of force, inte-

grated protection, offensive, responsiveness, supervision, and

priority of risks.19

The cornerstone of Army doctrine is FM 100-5, Operations,

which provides information on Rear Area Protection and gives

a concise and meaningful resume of the threat as it is

projected and adequately outlines responsibilities for rear

and combat operations (RACO).

Very little mention is to be found in any Marine Corps

FMFMs or Operational Handbooks (OH's) about rear area security

operations. The "cornerstone document" of the Marine Corps

MAGTF, FMFM 0-1, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Doctrine, makes

no mention of rear area security or rear area combat opera-

tions. It is this author's impression that the problem of

rear area security has been wished away by continually denying

the existence of a formidable threat and by giving the

responsibility for rear area security to the CSS commander;

the CSS commander, however, does not have the means to accom-

plish this mission.

continued

[wrbones]

continued

Having described the Soviet threat to rear areas, it would

be appropriate to review what current doctrine provides

the conduct of rear area security operations.

U. S. Army doctrine is found in FM 31-85, Rear Area

Protection (RAP) Operations. Though issued in 1970, it does

provide a basic philosophy of RAS and eight principles which

are still valid: austerity, command, economy of force, inte-

grated protection, offensive, responsiveness, supervision, and

priority of risks.19

The cornerstone of Army doctrine is FM 100-5, Operations,

which provides information on Rear Area Protection and gives

a concise and meaningful resume of the threat as it is

projected and adequately outlines responsibilities for rear

and combat operations (RACO).

Very little mention is to be found in any Marine Corps

FMFMs or Operational Handbooks (OH's) about rear area security

operations. The "cornerstone document" of the Marine Corps

MAGTF, FMFM 0-1, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Doctrine, makes

no mention of rear area security or rear area combat opera-

tions. It is this author's impression that the problem of

rear area security has been wished away by continually denying

the existence of a formidable threat and by giving the

responsibility for rear area security to the CSS commander;

the CSS commander, however, does not have the means to accom-

plish this mission.

The subject of rear area security in an amphibious

operation is addressed in Landing Force Manual (LFM)02,

Doctrine for Landing Forces. The overall responsibility for

the security of the rear area of the landing force is the

commander of the landing force (CLF). He is responsible for

the integration of local security plans into the overall area

plan. This is clearly oriented for defensive operations.

Rear area security is also addressed in FMFM 6-1, The

Marine Division. This source discusses in detail the concept

of rear area security, the planning procedures and responsi-

bilities for rear area security, forces available and organi-

zation of forces for rear area security. Even though the

above areas are addressed, the primary focus of the information

provided is on amphibious landing and defensive situations;

nothing is mentioned about security for logistic elements

during offensive operations.

The MAGTF is not a permanent organization; it is task

organized for a specific mission. Forward deployed MAGTF's

are capable of rapid response to a number of contingencies

and provide a measured application of power to prescribed

contingency situations. The composition of MAGTF's may vary,

but the organizational structure will include a single command

element with a ground combat element, aviation combat element,

and combat service support element as subordinate co-equal

elements.20

The Marine Corps is tasked with responding to contin-

gencies throughout the world against numerous possible

adversaries. The most significant threat is the Soviet Union

and its combined arms force. If the Marine Corps is to

survive and win future conflicts against combined arms threats,

we must utilize all our combat assets. The Marine Corps

Combined Arms Task Force (MCATF) is the employment of tank

assets with infantry to accomplish a specific mission.21

The MCATF is anticipated to operate independently for long

periods and should be more or less self-sufficient. Because

the MCATF is a mechanized operation, it is characterized by

the rapid pace of operations and a reliance on machines; it,

therefore, implies increased logistical requirements and

combat service support operations take on increased importance.

As stated previously, the MCATF's are formed from the

MAGTF, primarily from the ground combat element (GCE), but

also contain two other elements, the combat service support

element (CSSE) and the air combat element (ACE). The ACE may

provide helicopter support to the MCATF and also a detachment

to the CSSE. The MAGTF CSSE provides service support

direclty to the MCATF or forms a Mobile Combat Service Support

Detachment (MCSSD) to move with and support the MCATF.

In 1977 a series of exercises were initiated after the

Commandant of the Marine Corps approved the concept of mobile

assault regiments which would be task-organized as needed

(MCATF's).22 In January 1981, a MCATF-Phase IV exercise was

conducted at Twenty-Nine Palms, California. The Phase IV

exercise was to validate and improve the current MCATF

doctrine. A major deficiency identified during the exercise

was the sustainability, survivability and mobility of the CSS

forces.23


"Supply lines are particularly sensitive,
since all petrol and ammunition, indispensable
requirements for the battle, must pass along
them. Hence everything possible must be done
to protect one's own supply lines and to upset
or better still, cut the enemy's. Operations
in the enemy's supply [rear] area will lead
immediately to his breaking off the battle
elsewhere, since as I have indicated supplies
are the fundamental premise of the battle and
must be given the priority of protection."24


continued

[wrbones]

continued

As Rommel pointed out, the security of the lines of

communications and logistics elements is a key factor to

survivability on the battlefield. It is obvious that the

MCATF today must devote attention to protecting its logistics

tail.

Other findings from the Phase IV exercise which indicate

problems for MCATF's in future conflicts are:

1. Security forces must be provided and trained in the

protection of CSS elements.

2. A command and control capability is required by the

MCSSD in order to request supporting arms and to

coordinate an attachment of security forces if separated

from the maneuver element (GCE).

3. In mechanized operations there will likely be no

secure rear area. Sinde CSS elements will continue to

be forward to react to CSS requirements, these elements

(MCSSD) are vulnerable to encountering enemy, especially

specialized units with missions to attack rear areas.25

After examining the threat to rear areas and comparing the

threat to present Marine Corps doctrine and philosophy, the

following problem areas surfaced:

1. The "threat" to rear areas is not perceived as a

significant problem.

2. CSS personnel do not receive sufficient combat

training to defend themselves effectively.

3. The plan to use combat forces from Marine Corps

forward maneuver units as rear area security severely

reduces forward combat power.

4. Plans to effect rear area security normally occurs

only when units are in a defensive posture.

5. The plan to use the reserve force as the rear area

security force relegates the effectiveness of the

reserve force employment.


To make Marine Corps rear area security a distinct

advantage instead of the weak link it is presently, the

following proposals must be implemented, the threat posed

to rear areas is formidable. An education and threat aware-

ness training program must be instituted immediately. The

first step in solving a problem is acknowledging that the

problem exists. Acknowledgement that a rear area threat

exists in offensive operations as well as defensive operations

is mandatory.

CSS personnel comprise the majority of rear area manpower

assets. The CSS units' success and survival on the battle-

field will be directly proportional to the knowledge and

skills learned in basic infantry training and honed in subse-

quent field exercises. The present lack of field combat

training for CSS units is attributable to command desires to

keep CSS personnel involved in their primary jobs (i.e.,

mechanic, logistics clerk, etc.) and state that sufficient

time is unavailable for combat training: "It is not my

mission to fight." A reasonable balance of combat training

and military occupational specialty (MOS) training is required

to ensure that CSS personnel can survive and carry out their

battlefield missions.

Combat training for CSS personnel must receive a positive

endorsement at the highest command levels. One policy, if

instituted, which would have an immediate, positive impact

is to require all Marines (regardless of their MOS) to attend

infantry training school subsequent to recruit training. For

survival it is time to make the old adage "Every Marine is a

rifleman," a reality.

continued