Saturday, July 17, 2010

Midrats - Episode 28: COIN and USMC's next decade

As we move into our second decade of conflict with Islamist terrorism, what have we learned, relearned, or having to unlearn about Counter Insurgency (COIN)? As those who control the budget look towards a post-Iraq and post-Afghanistan military - what moves will be made towards USMC force structure and equipment?

Please join my co-host EagleOne of "Eaglespeak" on Midrats this Sunday 18 JUL 2010 at 5pm EST for a full hour.

Our guest to discuss this will be Dr. Andrea J. Dew, Co-Director, Center on Irregular Warfare & Armed Groups (CIWAG), Strategy and Policy Department U.S. Naval War College Newport, RI. For the second half of the show, we will look at the moves being made already to gut the USMC force levels at first chance - how do we get the narrative right to fight this coming battle? Returning guest, fellow blogger with EagleOne and me over at USNIBlog, Mark E. Stanovich, LtCol USMCR will be with us to discuss this along with the latest developments with the Marine Corps.

Dr. Andrea Dew is a professor at the U.S. Naval War College, Newport RI. She co-founded and co-directs the college's Center on Irregular Warfare & Armed Groups. Dr Dew is also the author of "Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias: The Warriors of Contemporary Combat" which argues that understanding armed groups is the first step to understanding how to counter them.

LtCol Mark Stanovich, USMCR, has more than 24 years of service in the USMC and USMCR. An artillery officer, he has served in all four Marine Divisions. LtCol Stanovich commanded a Recruit Training Company at Parris Island, SC, and was an artillery battery commander in 5th Bn, 10th Marines at Camp Lejeune NC and Okinawa, Japan. He served as 5/10’s battalion S-3, and was Executive Officer of 3rd Bn 14th Marines. LtCol Stanovich was deployed with 3rd CAG to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, and was a finance and economics advisor to the Al Anbar Provincial Government in Ramadi during OIF II. He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, and Purple Heart. He is a distinguished graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, and has completed USMC Amphibious Warfare Course, USMC Staff Planning Course, USMC Command and Staff Course, and the NDU National Security Course.
LtCol Stanovich’s civilian position is Emergency Planning Coordinator for the Vermont Department of Health. He is a qualified exercise developer, conducting cyber security, health response, homeland security, and emergency management exercises for businesses, hospitals, private entities, as well as federal, state and local government agencies.

Join us live if you can and pile in with the usual suspects in the chat room during the show where you can offer your own questions and observations to our guests. If you miss the show or want to catch up on the shows you missed - you can always reach the archives at blogtalkradio - or set yourself to get the podcast on iTunes.

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