Force Design Transformation: How Modern Doctrine Is Radically Changing What Marines Do

An essential feature on Force Design Transformation: How Modern Doctrine Is Radically Changing What Marines Do, including expert perspectives.

The question of what a Marine does no longer leads to images of trench lines or heavy urban tank sweeps.

In 2026, a Marine is a master of low-signature reconnaissance, precision coastal interdiction, and distributed communications. Whether operating an unmanned surveillance drone over a remote strait, setting up an expeditionary refueling station on an isolated runway, or aiming an anti-ship missile battery from an austere tree line, the modern Marine serves as the nation's high-tech tripwire. This evolution marks a decisive departure from the past quarter-century, returning the service to its original maritime heritage with twenty-first-century tools.