Neller: Marines need to be operating surface vessels other than amphibs

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said Marines must be open to operating from ships like a destroyer or a Littoral Combat Ship.

Neller told reporters after his Sept. 28 presentation at Modern Day Marine at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, it may be advantageous for the naval force to have Marines operating from a DDG or LCS for small raiders or maritime interdiction.

"I don't see us going back to ship detachments like we had back in the day," Neller said.

As long as the Marines have a way to get ashore like with a Ship-to-Shore Connector, the service could provide a landing team that operates from other surface vessels besides amphibious assault ships.

Marines operating from ships goes back to 1775, he added.