Nine MEUs

Nine MEUs

The Marine Corps’ premier rapid reaction units are its seven Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs). Three 2000-man MEUs are maintained forward-deployed aboard three-ship amphibious squadrons (Phibrons) forming task forces called Amphibious Ready Groups. (ARG)s One ARG is based in Japan, one is maintained in the Indian Ocean by rotating deployments among West Coast units, and another ARG is maintained in the Mid-Atlantic/Mediterranean region by rotating deployments among East Coast units. The Navy and Marine Corps can easily expand the number of combat-ready ARGs from three to five by forming two more MEUs and extending the rotational cycle for CONUS MEUs from 18 to 24 months.

The CONUS based MEUs now undergo an 18-month deployment cycle which consists of three six-month phases. During the first phase, a MEU just returning from deployment disbands, then reforms with new components. During the second phase, the newly organized MEU undergoes intense training in which teamwork and skills are developed. The MEU eventually earns a Special Operations Capable (SOC) designation to reflect its high-readiness state. During the third phase, the MEU (SOC) deploys overseas aboard a Phibron as part of an ARG.

This cycle is effective, yet wasteful. The 12-month effort at organizing and training a MEU (SOC) is lost after the six-month deployment. This highly-trained team is disbanded as the infantry battalion, composite aviation squadron, and various support elements return to their parent units. Only a couple hundred Marines in the MEU headquarters and MEU service support unit are retained as the teambuilding efforts begins again with new components.

MEU (SOC)s could be available for crisis response for a year if a fourth six-month "ready" phase were added. Upon completion of the second phase in which a MEU is fully trained and SOC qualified, it would not deploy, but stand ready on 72-hour alert. The ARG ships would remain in port loaded with the MEU (SOC) supplies and most equipment. The ready MEU (SOC) Marines would live in their quarters ashore and conduct some local training. They may embark for a few short ARG exercises, but most nights will be spent at home on an alert. This "ready" phase will allow most nights at home to compensate families for the previous six months of intensive training and the forthcoming six-month deployment.

Current 18-month Atlantic MEU Cycle

22nd MEU refit > 24th MEU train > 26th MEU (SOC) deployed

Proposed 24-month Cycle

22nd MEU refit > 24th MEU train > 26th MEU (SOC) ready > 28th MEU (SOC) deployed

Normally, the "ready" MEU (SOC) will spend the entire six-month alert phase at home. However recent history suggests that they may often deploy into the fourth phase early. Since the end of the Cold war, the deployed Atlantic MEU (SOC), has been needed in the Persian Gulf, off Bosnia, off Western Africa and in Haiti. These demands have required the formation of awkward task forces. A MEU (SOC), which just returned from deployment was reassembled and sent to Haiti. In other cases, MEUs in training were deployed early, while other MEUs were divided into "split" ARGs. A 24-month cycle will provide a "ready" MEU (SOC)s on 72-hour alert to respond to occasional demands more ARGs.

     Five well-trained MEU(SOC)s will also enhance the Corps’ ability to rapidly amass a large amphibious force. The last attempt occurred during August of 1990 when the 4th MEB (equivalent to three MEUs) was formed. It took over three weeks to assemble and embark units aboard 13 ships. This unit had no full-scale training opportunities prior to deployment, and embarkation was a mess. Tons of gear was left on the pier and the improperly loaded ships were required to dock and reconfigure after arriving in the Indian Ocean.

     Nine MEUs would allow five combat-ready ARGs to steam toward a crisis area within days to form a sizable amphibious force. The Navy can easily support nine MEUs since it is already organized into nine Phibrons which already use a 24-month four-phase deployment cycle. This would allow permanent MEU/Phibron relationships to exist and enhance cohesion among the Navy/Marine team. Adding two MEUs will not require 4000 more Marines. Units are available for assignment, except for a couple hundred Marines needed for two new MEU headquarters. Nine MEUs will expand the number of combat-ready MEU (SOC)s from three to five, almost doubling our nation’s ready amphibious force. Seven MEUs have proven extremely valuable during the post-cold war era. Nine MEUs can offer far more capabilities at a minimal cost.

                                                 Carlton Meyer editorG2mil@Gmail.com