Tactics and Operations

We are speaking with Stu Lyle, urban lead at the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and his British Army counterpart Major Shaun Clarke, about the trajectory of cities and its implications for urban operations.

In this episode, we unpack ten historical trends in urban operations with one of the leading experts on urban warfare, MAJ Jayson Geroux of the Canadian Armed Forces.

In this final episode in our series on Maneuver Warfare, we go to the man responsible for FMFM 1 Warfighting and its successor MCDP 1. We talk about Warfighting’s continued relevance and where improvements could be made in a revision.

In 2020, LtCol Tad Drake wrote “The Fantasy of MCDP 1” for the Marine Corps Gazette. In this penultimate episode in our series on Maneuver Warfare, we discuss his reservations about MCDP 1 Warfighting as doctrine and philosophy.

In this episode we try to cut through some of the myth and misinformation surrounding John Boyd’s theory by talking with one of the foremost experts on it: Maj Ian Brown, author of A New Conception of War.

Bruce Gudmundsson, Founder of the School of Advanced Warfighting and military historian, delves into the intricacies of maneuver warfare. He highlights the pivotal 1940 Battle of France, examining how leadership failures and rigid strategies led to a swift defeat for the French. The discussion critiques contemporary military doctrine by drawing parallels to modern conflicts like the Russo-Ukrainian War. Gudmundsson emphasizes the psychological aspects of warfare and the need for initiative across all command levels, showcasing how flexibility and strategic thinking are vital.

In this episode, we explore the intersections of Maneuver Warfare and American Football with an innovative coach who has put the tenets of Maneuver Warfare into practice over a 40-year career.

LtCol John Meixner, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, critiques maneuver warfare, sharing insights from his extensive military experience. He discusses the abstract nature of MCDP-1, emphasizing the need for clearer frameworks that link theory to practice. The conversation touches on the moral implications of maneuver warfare and critiques military education's effectiveness. Meixner advocates for critical thinking and adaptability in doctrine, highlighting how understanding both the nature and character of war is essential for success.

In March 2022, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed MAGTFTC to review two years’ worth of exercise reports from the MAGTF Warfighting Exercise and report on the overarching trends. In this episode, Scott Kinner, LtCol Andy Hornfeck, and Maj AJ Cillo discuss the eight trends identified in the report.

Dr. Bruce Gudmundsson talks about his journey from Marine to professional historian and leading proponent of decision forcing cases. We then discuss the uses of decision forcing cases and tactical decision games as part of an intentionally-designed training strategy.