Midrats - Episode 13: USMC and Forcible Entry

What are the Marines, what do they do, and what do they bring to the table in 2010? Are they just and adjunct Army with a good PR department, or do they bring a skill set and expertise that a Maritime power needs in order to project power? What have we forgotten about the mission of the Marines in the last decade, and what do we need to remember? In the 28 years since San Carlos Water and 19 years since II MEF's feint - what do we need to be ready to do next? Do we have the hardware and training required for victory?

If it's Sunday, then it's time for Midrats. Set your clocks again for this Sunday, 21 MAR at 5pm/1700R/2200Z. Please join me with with our panel of Galrahn of InformationDissemination and EagleOne of EagleSpeak as we are joined by our guests Dakota Wood and Mark Stanovich.

Dakota L. Wood is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He is currently involved in studying the operational challenges of irregular warfare, complex contingencies under high-technology conditions, and proliferated nuclear environments.

Before his retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005, LtCol Wood served in a wide variety of operational and staff assignments, including the Corps’ Military Assistant to the Director of the Office of Net Assessment – Mr. Andrew Marshall; and, providing defense issues analysis support to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on assignment to the Strategic Initiatives Group. Operationally, LtCol Wood was recognized for logistical planning and execution contributions to several operations, to include Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Immediately following his retirement, he provided support to the Department of Homeland Security as Operations Officer for the National Biosurveillance Integration System.

Dakota received a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds an MA from the Naval War College, where he graduated with distinction, in addition to meritorious recognition from the Marine Corps’ School of Advanced Warfighting.

Mark E. Stanovich Born in Massachusetts, graduated from Holy Cross 1986 with BA in History. Commissioned in the Marine Corps through ROTC. Field artillery officer, served in all four Marine Divisions, including duties as Battery Executive Officer, Battery Commander, Artillery Bn Fire Direction Officer, S-3 (Operations), Executive Officer, and Fire Support Coordinator for 25th Marine Regiment, and for 2nd Marine Division. Also served at Parris Island SC as a Series and Company Commander, and UAV internal pilot with Pioneer UAV system. Served with 1st MEF in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, OIF II, in Ramadi and Fallujah, as liaison to Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and Provincial Treasurer. Currently LtCol, USMCR, supporting all services Title X war games and other war games and exercises.

Mark's civilian work includes exercise development in national and regional cyber-security exercises and numerous emergency response and terrorism/homeland security exercises. Experienced “Red Team” participant in both military and civilian exercises. Currently Director of Preparedness for Vermont’s Hospitals, developing Emergency Operations Plans and training programs.