The Future of Marine Civil Affairs

The Marine Corps' role in fighting the global war on terrorism involves the extensive conduct of civil military operations (CMO). However, current shortfalls in the Corps' approach to Civil Affairs (CA) force structure and to CMO education, training, and employment impede its ability to use these operations to their greatest effect. The author proposes solutions to these shortfalls which would result in the establishment of a cadre of active duty civil affairs Marines, the implementation of a formal training program for CA personnel, the integration of CMO into the Marine Corps' resident schools and the use of planning procedures that focus on CMO as a line of operation. US military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa involve extensive interaction with the local populations. Reports from the field emphasize the importance of civil military operations in obtaining operational goals. Shortfalls and recommended solutions are discussed under the headings of Structure, Training, Education and Employment. ; Future war paper.