In Every Clime and Place: U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Cold Weather Doctrine - Winter Warfare Training, World War II German Northern Theater, Korean War Chosin Reservoir, NATO Exercise Cold Winter 1985

This important report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. This monograph examines whether current Marine Corps cold weather doctrine and related training are adequate to prepare Individuals and units for employment in that environment. Relatively new, Marine Corps cold weather doctrine is still being written with the first doctrinal manuals published In 1988. The Secretary of Defense, in 1978, directed that the Marine Corps be committed to the defense of Norway. With this mission came the Implicit understanding that forces would need a solid doctrine and training base for operations in a cold weather environment. Based on Its reinforcement mission to Norway, the Marine Corps began implementing an Integrated plan to establish a doctrinal basis for cold weather operations, Integrate a training and exercise program, and field a force that modern technology would fully clothe and equip.
The methodology of this cold weather doctrine and training review Is to examine the role of theory and its link to current Marine Corps cold weather doctrine. Second, this paper reviews the historical underpinnings of 20th Century cold weather warfare In current doctrine and training. Third, it provides an analysis of existing cold weather tactical doctrine utilizing the functions and capabilities that generate combat power as delineated In FMFM 1-1, Campaigning. A second part of the analysis evaluates cold weather training doctrine using the operational priorities of cold weather as explained in FMFRP 7-24, Commanders Guide to Cold Weather Operations, as measures of effectiveness.
This monograph concludes that the adoption of the cold weather doctrine filled a void in the Marine Corps' warfighting doctrine. While there are a few points in the cold weather doctrine that could have been covered in more detail, current Marine Corps cold weather doctrine and related training are modern, in accord with operational doctrine, and will prepare Individuals and units for winter warfare.