US forces must relearn old skills and practices in case an adversary denies them access to the services’ advanced-technology capabilities, the top Marine Corps officer said Tuesday. With the growing threat of being forced to operate in an information-denied environment, the Marine Corps is adjusting its training to make its forces relearn how to use paper maps, basic voice radios, and camouflage, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event. “We’ve developed a system of warfighting that‘s very dependent upon the internet, and the network in space,” he said. Looking at potential adversaries, “do we think that’s going to be there, that network is going to be there?” he said. “I don’t think you can assume that.” Neller said there has to be a balance. “We have to leverage the technology we have for its operational advantage,” but adjust training “to be prepared to fight if it’s not there,” he said. (See also: Never Assume Space is Safe, Hyten Cautions.)
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.