U.S. MARINE CORPS STATEMENT OF GENERAL A.M. GRAY, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS CONCEPT AND ISSUES BOOKLET Senator JOHNSTON. General Gray. General GRAY. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It is indeed a pleasure to appear before your Committee today. The Marine Corps has submitted its Annual Report to Congress statement along with a booklet on Concepts and Issues which we would request be put into the record. Senator JOHNSTON. Without objection. [The material follows:] (165) 3 February 1987 To the Reader: Concepts and Issues is published annually to describe the current "state of the Corps" to audiences internal and external to the Marine Corps. New in this year's publication is the information previously contained in the Marine Corps Resources and Forces Summary. With the inclusion of the data from that booklet, Concepts and Issues now provides both a detailed backup document to support the Commandant's Posture Statement and a single source summary of the substance of the Marine Corps Program Objective Memorandum (POM). Concepts and Issues is not all inclusive. Program sponsors have identified only key programs for inclusion, and some programs from previous editions have been deleted (see Appendix C). Program quantity and cost displays reflect POM 88/89-92 as updated by the FY 88/89 President's Budget data. Because the Planning, Programming and Budgeting System is a dynamic, continuous process, those programs-and their attendant displays--are always subject to change. The Marine Corps POM proceeds from the requirement to man, train, and equip Fleet Marine Forces consistent with fiscal realities. Focusing on sound leadership and a dedication to readiness and flexibility, we remain committed to supporting our national strategy with the most cost-effective combat organization possible. I hope Concepts and Issues contributes to the reader's understanding of our efforts to achieve this objective. Concepts and Issues does not express official Marine Corps policy on doctrinal matters; however, it does address geopolitical realities and various other factors that influence our structure, requirements and capabilities. Comments and suggestions for future editions are welcome. Sincerely, W. R. ETNYRE Major General, U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs 25 February 1988 A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS This pamphlet contains the Fiscal Year 89 Annual Report of the Marine Corps. While it is brief, it represents a fundamental statement of our operational and institutional orientation as the Nation's expeditionary force. Also included is a copy of Concepts and Issues, a Headquarters Marine Corps publication last printed in 1987. Chapter II, addressing Marine Corps planning and resource allocation, has been updated to reflect the Amended FY 88/89 Biennial Budget and includes DOD and Marine Corps allocations for each appropriation. While the information in the remaining chapters is slightly dated, it provides a useful overview of our concepts, equipment and development goals. I urge you to review it and I welcome any comments you may wish to provide. A. M. GRAY General, U.S. Marine Corps THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MARINE CORPS TO CONGRESS BY GENERAL A. M. GRAY COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee This is my first annual report to Congress and the Nation. With your permission I would like to share with you my assessment of the current state of the Corps and, more importantly, my vision of its future. The Corps is sound and fit for service. During the defense build-up over the last 7 years, the American people made a major investment in the Marine Corps. As directed by Congress and the we devoted our efforts to making readiness, sustainability, We have improved logistics tactical mobility. We are Secretary of Defense, areas: improvements in four modernization, and force structure. sustainability and enhanced our completing the modernization of our command and control equipment, aviation and infantry weapons. As we move into an era of constrained federal spending, it is important to remember that, in terms of equipment, the Marine Corps is a modern force. We appreciate the help of Congress, and particularly of this committee, in bringing this modernization about. We are counting on your continued support in order to ensure that our capabilities and equipment will not be permitted to atrophy. The public investment in our total force capability over the past years more than justifies this requirement. In Our people complement the high quality of our equipment. accordance with the will of each Congress since the Ninety-third Congress, the Marine Corps has scrupulously adhered to the highest recruiting standards possible. Ninety-eight percent of our recruits are high school graduates, our officer programs are full, |