USMC Update 2025
The Commandant of the Marine Corps released an October 2025 update on Force Design 2030. The update highlights a review of what Force Design action have happened and provides a roadmap for how the Marine Corps is continuing to meet its Force Design Requirements.
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"Marines have tested new tactics in big exercises. In BALIKATAN 25, I MEF
practiced hiding small teams on islands, using NMESIS (Navy-Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction Systems) to sink ships, MADIS (Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems) to shoot down drones, and G/ATOR (Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar) radar to spot threats. They trained with Japan and the Philippines. Exercises like TALISMAN SABRE and RESOLUTE DRAGON sharpened precision strikes and base defense with allies. ATLANTIC ALLIANCE 25 was the biggest amphibious drill in the Atlantic in years, practicing distributed operations with NATO partners."
" Two Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs) are now in III MEF: 3d MLR is fully operational since 2023, 12th hits that mark in 2026. These units are built for island fighting with advanced sensors and missiles. The 4th Marines stays as a beefed-up infantry regiment. MEUs now carry the same high-tech gear as MLRs. Infantry battalions added a Fires and Recon company for drones and rockets, and squads went back to 13 Marines, including a drone operator. Notably, the Marine Corps recently
created a new Attack Drone Team to hone these skills."
"New weapons are being fielded across the field. Including the aforementioned NMESIS anti-ship missiles: six launchers delivered, heading to 18 per battery by 2033. HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) status: all 10 batteries complete. G/ATOR radars: 60% fielded by end of 2025. Organic Precision Fires and loitering munitions for infantry will start arriving in 2026. F-35 jets: 11 squadrons are done with more transitioning. MQ-9A drones fly recon over the Pacific. 3D printing labs (12 big ones, 25 small) let Marines conduct additive manufacturing to make parts on site.
"Air defense is ramping up. MRIC (Medium-Range Intercept Capability) stops cruise missiles, three batteries coming soon. MADIS on vehicles: 20 delivered. L-MADIS on light trucks: 10 in 2026. Bases received counter-drone systems, and every unit will soon have portable anti-drone kits to address the ever evolving threat.
"Doctrines are updating. Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) and Stand-in Forces concepts are becoming official guidance. Bases are modernizing barracks and defenses. Recruiting and retention hit record highs. Training now includes AI, drones, and joint operations."
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"Maneuver and mobility mean moving fast across sea, land, and air. The Corps wants 31 amphibious ships minimum. New landing craft are in development. Ground vehicles: Advanced Recon Vehicle for scouts, Amphibious Combat Vehicle (257 fielded), JLTVs (over 5,000 delivered), and ultra-light trucks. Aviation spreads out with distributed ops using KC-130s, CH-53s, and MV-22s.
"Lethality gets upgrades. NMESIS and HIMARS will work in jammed environments. A new rocket launcher is coming. Infantry experiments continue. Drone teams will hunt targets. F-35s pair with XQ-58 unmanned wingmen. Long-range missiles expand strike options.
"Joint kill webs link sensors to shooters faster. In order to improve these kill webs - new command systems will speed decisions. MQ-9 drones will receive better Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration. Aviation assets will get more flexible targeting tools."
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"As has been the case since Force Design was first promulgated, logistics will remain a major highlight going forward. Logistics in contested environments focus on keeping Marines supplied when enemies try to cut off traditional sea and air routes. The Corps is expanding its Global Positioning Network with prepositioned ships loaded with gear in the Indo-Pacific, Norway, and on Maritime Prepositioning Force vessels to fix current shortfalls and speed up resupply. Autonomous systems will start taking center stage: the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (also known as the “ALPV”) acts as an unmanned supply boat, while Tactical Resupply UAS drones and the Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle deliver critical items like ammo, fuel, and medical supplies to forward teams without risking manned aircraft. Advanced Logistics Analytics will use AI to crunch data from sensors and predict needs, then reroute shipments in real time to dodge threats and keep the fight going. This setup cuts reliance on big, vulnerable convoys and ensures even small, dispersed units stay in the fight longer."