Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
The Marine Corps weighs wooing older members for a new cyber force.
Corps wants older, more experienced force for new skills
SAN DIEGO — The head of the Marine Corps says it’s time the U.S. military branch known for its fierce, young warriors becomes a little more mature.
The Marine Corps is considering bonuses and other perks to entice older, more experienced Marines to re-enlist as it builds up its cyberoperations to defend the nation, especially against cyberattacks from Russia and China. About 62 percent of Marines are 25 years old or younger with many serving only four years.
The move marks a historical change that could transform a force made up primarily of high school graduates lured by the bravado and physical challenges of joining a branch that prides itself on being the “tip of the spear,” the first to go into battle and knock in doors. It’s part of the Marine Corps’ modernizing efforts after 16 years of largely lowtech, counterinsurgency fights.
“It’s going to be a Marine Corps that’s a little bit older, a little more experienced because as much as we love our young Marines … we need a little bit older because it takes longer to learn these skills,” Gen. Robert Neller told defense leaders in San Diego.
Marine Corps officials are quick to emphasize the core recruiting mission will remain the same for the branch that boasts having the toughest warriors in the U.S. military.
“By older Marines, we’re not talking guys with walkers but rather second- and third-tour enlisted Marines,” said Gary Solis, an ex-Marina and military expert at Georgetown University. “They may be only a few years older than the 18- and 19-yearold Marines, but those three or four years difference could make a hell of a difference as far as maturity when it comes to their outlook and unit cohesion.”
David Coan, 35, a chief warrant officer based at Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego, has applied to be a part of the new cyberforce. Many Marines retire after 21 years, but the combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan said now he’s found more reason to stay.
“There are a lot of Marines at my level who foster the hope of trying to move into these operations in this new realm,” he said, adding it’s exciting to be at the forefront of a new force and receive cybertraining. “This is going to change the Marine Corps and the way it fights.”
The 2018 defense budget earmarked money for the Marine Corps to add 1,000 Marines, many of whom will work in cyber and electronic warfare.
The Marine Corps floated the idea of allowing those with cyberskills to bypass boot camp, but Neller opposes that, saying a Marine should be a Marine.
Marine recruits with high-demand technical skills who choose to enlist into cyberoperations may be eligible for an enlistment bonus. The Marine Corps is also developing plans to recruit and retain cyberspace professionals in the Reserves, and in May unveiled new badges for enlisted troops and officers who work as drone operators.