Marine Corps birthday video includes message pushing for return to maritime origins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28MsdHekB5U

In a more than five-minute video released to mark the 246-year history of the U.S. Marine Corps, leaders made clear they are pressing ahead with plans to return the service branch to its origins as an expeditionary maritime force.

“What Marines are, what Marines have always been, is amphibious warfighters,” Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger says in the spot. “And the changing battle now requires us to return to our origins, relying on foundations built by the Marines that came before us.”

Co-narrated by USMC Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, the annual birthday message celebrates what’s also known as Marine Corps Day, which commemorates the establishment of the organization on Nov. 10, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress.

Force Design 2030 envisions a smaller USMC

The message of change appears to reference Berger’s “Force Design 2030” plan, which is a 10-year modernization effort that focuses on confronting threats posed by China, Russia and other state actors. It centers the Marines in the Western Pacific region, envisioning a shift to three Marine Littoral Regiments.

The plan calls for cuts in some infantry battalions and in supportive artillery, ground mobility assets, assault support and light attack aviation, and combat services. Over 10 years, the active duty Marines would shrink by about 12,000 to a total active duty force of about 174,200.

The video begins by paying tribute to the Marines who responded to the call to serve after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, honoring their contributions to the campaigns in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Northern Africa.

“As we mark the 20th anniversary of those who fought the war on terror and are now retiring, we want them to know that we appreciate their courage, sacrifice and the valor they showed during this conflict,” Berger says.

In the lead up to the Aug. 30, 2021, end of the war in Afghanistan, Marines were 11 of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the Aug. 26 terrorist attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Return to seas and shores

Even though the next generation of Marines may operate in new ways and in new places, Berger reassures the audience that much about the Corps is not going to change.

“The Marine Corps’ identity remains the same,” according to the spot. “Our infantry battalions will remain at the center of what we do. And the Marine and their rifle will continue to be one of deadliest weapons on the battlefield.”

“But being ready now requires us to return to the seas and shores of maritime terrain,” Berger says.

Black adds: “The history of the Marine Corps is marked by a series of paradigm shifts, and this is one of them.”

The leaders say they are building on what was learned from the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places. “We’re using the lessons of the past combined with the weapons of the future to reimagine our warfighting capabilities through continuous adaptation and experimentation,” Berger says.

The video concludes by thanking Veterans for their service and contributions to their communities, and by displaying imagery of a high-tech Marine Corps evolving to be “most ready when our nation is least ready.”

The Marine Corps Day ceremony typically involves a cake-cutting ceremony where there are readings from current and past leaders and where the oldest and youngest Marine present are recognized.

Learn more

• Read “The USMC celebrates 246 years of service to its nation”: https://rly.pt/3n7l7lC

• Watch the 246th Marine Corps birthday message video: https://rly.pt/3kuAUt9

• Read Force Design 2030: https://rly.pt/3qHCqMH