GR 3 MSS

navy core missions

deterrence, power projection, sea control, maritime security, forward presence, HADR

deterrence (navy)

nuclear, conventional, first attempt to dissuade

Power projection

ability to launch sustained operations from international waters

diplomatic resolve

assures allies while dissuades adversaries, sustained presence, advance us national security objectives

sea control

controlling major shipping routes

HADR

projecting good will, building relationships, future cooperation

Carrier strike group

Navy ship configuration, slower than others, carrier adds 7000 sailors

Surface action group (SAG)

Basically a carrier strike group without the carrier, faster and less threatening

Amphibious readiness group (ARG)

Bigger ships for marine corps, slower

Expeditionary strike group

Marine corp’s smaller navy ship configuration

How are the marines different from the army?

They’re lightweight, rapidly deployable, and project power

Marine corps missions

Seize/defend naval bases, land ops to support naval campaigns, amphibious landing forces

MAGTF -(Marine Air Ground Task Force) marines organizational structure

Ground, aviation, and logistics elements, rapid and self sustaining

Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)

Major theater war, 40k marines, 60 days

Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)

Start of forcible entry, 16k marines, 30 days

Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)

Constantly forward deployed, 2k marines, 15 days

Coast guard role/missions

Reports to homeland security, law enforcement, secures ports, search and rescue, ice breakers, migrant interdiction

Army role

primary land force, provides sustained landpower ops, seize and control key terrain and infrastructure

Army warfighting functions

C2, Movement/Manuever, Fires, Intel, Protection, Sustainment

Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)

Small, mobile, island based force focused on Pacific Treats

Army Ways and Means to support Joint Force

Strategy driven, logistics heavy, integrated with AF and Navy for join operations

3 Dimensions of Information Environment

Physical, Informational, cognitive

Information Warfare actions within the competition continuum

Conceal (protect own data), Reveal (influence), Expose (disrupt adversary)

6 USAF IW capabilities and how they’re used

1. Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance, 2. Electronic Warfare, 3. Cyber Operations (offensive & defensive), 4. Information Operations (MILDEC Military Deception, OPSEC Operations Security, MISO Military Info Support Operations), 5. Weather 6. Strategic Communications & Public Affairs. These capabilities are employed to gain and maintain information superiority.

How IW is used compared to PRC’s political warfare?

IW focuses on military information operations to achieve strategic objectives, while PRC's political warfare leverages influence through political, economic, and diplomatic means to achieve national goals.

Cognitive Warfare Roles in the Great Power Competition

Cognitive warfare involves using psychological tactics to influence perceptions and decision-making of adversaries and populations, shaping thoughts and beliefs to gain competitive advantage.

US Vulnerabilities of Cognitive Advantage

Disinformation, Cyber influence campaigns

US Opportunities of Cognitive Advantage

Psychological resilience, enhanced decision making

How does cognitive security impact combat effectiveness?

Maintaining morale, preventing adversary influence operations

Purpose of Special Operations Forces (SOF)

Unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, direct action

Difference from Regular Ops

Smaller scale, specialized training, high risk missions

SOF Units from each service

Army: Green Berets, Rangers, Delta Force

Navy: SEALs

AF: para rescue, combat controllers

Nuclear Triad

Air (bombers), Land (ICBMs), Sea (SSBNs)

Nuclear Triad Strengths and weaknesses

ICBMs: quick response, high accuracy but vulnerable to first strikes.

SLBMs: survivable, second strike capability but communication challenges

Strategic Bombers: flexible deployment, can be recalled, but slower response time due to maintenance

Nuclear Capabilities and National Interest

Deterrence strategy to prevent nuclear war. Assures allies through extended deterrence. Supports global stability and military superiority.

US ballistic missile defense assets

Ground base interceptors, Aegis ships (naval defense), THAAD and Patriot missile systems (threat level defense)