Neller issues annual message to Marine Corps, cites readiness as area to improve

By Mallory Shelbourne / January 25, 2019 at 11:40 AM

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller today issued his annual message to the force, in which he praised the service for its success in innovation, but argued the Marine Corps still has room to improve in readiness and how it handles mental health issues.

Neller laid out his vision for the force using a three-pronged approach dividing up the Marine Corps’ strengths, areas where it is working to do better, and its challenges.

"We established the [Marine Expeditionary Force] Information Group to outmaneuver our adversaries in the information battlespace. [Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command] has pushed new cyber capabilities to the tactical edge," Neller wrote, describing the Corps' successes.

"The deployment of F-35s has greatly increased the lethality of the [Marine Air Ground Task Force] for a high-end fight. And, to improve close combat lethality, every Infantrymen [sic] will be outfitted with new equipment in the coming years," he added.

The commandant singled out readiness as an area in which the service is working to improve.

"This means we must train hard, smart, and efficiently, and never have a day go by when we are not seeking to be more ready, more lethal, and more capable," the message reads.

"While training prepares us for the known in combat, education prepares us for the unknown. We must continue to develop leaders with the analytical and critical thinking skills required to adapt and win," it adds.

As for the service's challenges, Neller cited alcohol issues and mental health, arguing the Corps must work on how it handles mental health concerns within its ranks and its veterans.

In his message, the commandant notably wrote the Marine Corps is not concerned with its members' sexual orientation, a remark that comes several days after the Supreme Court permitted the Trump administration's ban on transgender troops serving to take hold.

201744