Rethinking Force Design on the Midrats Podcast with General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.)
2030 is closer than you think
It has been a bit more than six years since then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David Berger, USMC, initiated what became known as Force Design 2030 (now just known as Force Design). What followed was a controversial change to the structure of the United States Marine Corps intended to address the challenge posed by the People's Republic of China in the western Pacific.
Now more than halfway to the original 2030 target, and informed by events from Ukraine and Southwest Asia since 2020, both long-standing critics of the design and other voices are readdressing the changes—and the critique—to see if it remains the right path.
Joining the Midrats Podcast is General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.).
You can listen at this link, or via the Spotify widget below.
Summary
In this episode, retired General Anthony Zinny discusses the evolution of Marine Corps force design, its strategic implications, and the importance of a flexible, well-analyzed approach to military modernization.
Show Links
Marine leaders drop ‘2030’ from name of ambitious overhaul plan
The Marines Must Think Bigger Than Small Units, Real Clear Defense, December 09, 2025, Anthony Zinni & Jerry McAbee , Timothy Wells
More funding for the wrong programs won’t fix the Marine Corps, Washington Times, July 10, 2025, by Gen. Charles Krulak and Gen. Anthony Zinni
On the Future of the Marine Corps: Assessing Force Design 2030, CSIS, May 16, 2022
What is the role of the Marine Corps in today’s global security environment?, Task & Purpose, Apr 19, 2022, Anthony Zinni
General Anthony Zinni (ret.) on Wargaming Iraq, Millennium Challenge, and Competition, CIMSEC, October 18, 2021, by Mie Augier and Major Sean F. X. Barrett
USNA lecture: The Obligation to tell the truth
Chapters
00:00: Introduction to Force Design 2030
03:28: General Zinni’s Perspective on Force Design
17:33: Critique of Current Military Strategy
24:08: Cultural Dynamics within the Marine Corps
32:25: Logistics and Equipment Considerations
35:40: Strategic Military Logistics
38:01: Challenges in the Strait of Hormuz
40:37: Marine Corps Littoral Regiments
43:21: Logistics and Mobility in Modern Warfare
46:49: Lessons from Military History: The 70s and 90s
49:11: Innovation in Military Strategy
52:32: The Importance of a Structured Development Process
56:14: Future Threats and Military Preparedness
General Zinni’s record of 35 years of service in uniform covers the breadth of service from the Vietnam War to his tour as Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) from 1997 to 2000.
Following his retirement from active duty, General Zinni continued to serve in senior diplomatic roles, including as the U.S. Special Envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority (2001–2003) and later as Special Envoy to Qatar (2017–2019).
He is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestsellers Battle Ready (with Tom Clancy) and The Battle for Peace, as well as Leading the Charge and Before the First Shots Are Fired. Additionally, he continues working in academic positions and as a speaker on geopolitics, ethical leadership, and America’s role in the world.
CDR, how about including a discussion about the reality of the U.S. in the western Pacific. The whole idea of Mahan's seapower theory/strategy being exclusively American has just changed because we don't have the capability to "enforce" it. China does and will be adopting Mahanian strategy in reverse. So, while we like to be optimists and believe a forward deployed Marine force will stop China expansionism, it's really a costly retreat-in-stages action from which the U.S. will eventually be forced out (because we will not be able to keep the military supply lines open among other things - think the Philippines and Corregidor).
I hope there is some discussion of the Gator Navy.
I cannot understand why we did not seize any of the island off the coast of Yemen or Iran during the most resent conflicts.
Do we even have an amphibious assault capability anymore or are the Marines just Army lite?