US Marine Corps/Cpl. Timothy J. Lutz
The Marine Corps is experimenting with creating generalists who can use different weapons in combat.
Changes to the Corps ground combat element are part of an effort reshape the service as it prepares for possible conflict with near-peers mainly China.
Infantry Marines get specialized training to operate specific weapons, but that could change as the service experiments with a model to create generalists who can use several different systems in combat.
Three infantry battalions are spending two years testing new models that could revolutionize the Marine Corps ground combat element. The effort is part of a 10-year plan to reshape the service as it prepares for possible conflict with near-peer threats mainly China.
Why Some Marines Are Training to Operate Every Infantry Weapon
U.S. Marines with Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion (ITB), School of Infantry-East, fire at targets during a live fire exercise at a range near Camp Devil Dog, N.C., Feb. 3, 2021. (James A. Guillory/U.S. Marine Corps)
26 Apr 2021
Infantry Marines get specialized training to operate specific weapons, but that could change as the service experiments with a model to create generalists who can use several different systems in combat.
Three infantry battalions are spending two years testing new models that could revolutionize the Marine Corps ground combat element. The effort is part of a 10-year plan to reshape the service as it prepares for possible conflict with near-peer threats mainly China.