Books by U.S. Marine Corps

Today's Marines operate within a continuum of force where conflict may change from low intensity to high intensity over a matter of hours. Marines are also engaged in many military operations other than war, such as peacekeeping missions or noncombatant evacuation operations, where deadly force may not be authorized. During noncombative engagements, Marines must determine if a situation warrants applying deadly force. Sometimes Marines must decide in a matter of seconds because their lives or the lives of others depend on their actions. To make the right decision, Marines must understand both the lethal and nonlethal close combat techniques needed to handle the situation responsibly without escalating the violence unnecessarily. Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-02B, Close Combat, provides the tactics, techniques, and procedures of Marine Corps close combat. It also provides the doctrinal basis for the Marine Corps Close Combat Training Program (MCCCTP).

Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-31B, Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book, is for use in planning where generalized capabilities and measurements are required. In planning for operations where exact capabilities and figures are required, the individual ship's loading characteristics pamphlet (SLCP) must be consulted.

Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 2-22, Signals Intelligence, serves as a basic reference for understanding concepts, operations, and procedures for the conduct of signals intelligence (SIGINT) operations in support of the Marine air-ground task force. This publication complements and expands on Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 2, Intelligence, and MCWP 2-1, Intelligence Operations, which provide doctrine and higher order tactics, techniques, and procedures for intelligence operations.

MCWP 3-11.3 provides all Marines with the instructional material they need to build the skills necessary to become effective scouts and patrol team members. This publication provides the fundamentals of scouting and patrolling and their relationship to each other. It also addresses organizational structure of teams and patrols, the training required to develop teamwork, and reporting requirements.

Purpose. Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-35.1, Cold Weather Operations, will provide broad doctrine and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) for commanders and staffs throughout the MAGTF. 2. Scope. This publication illustrates how the MAGTF can be organized, trained and equipped to conduct operations in the cold weather environment. It discusses the operational concepts for cold weather operations across the range of military operations. This doctrine spans planning considerations and TTP for operations at the MEF level through MEU (SOC) operations.

Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 4-11.8A, Marine Corps Field Feeding Program, provides guidance for commanders, staffs, logisticians, food service officers, supply officers, food technicians, mess chiefs, and food service Marines. It describes the Marine Corps' food services support operations in an expeditionary environment, and incorporates procedures developed during the Marine Corps Combat Development Command food service quick response study and field trials. Tactics, techniques, and procedures from other Service manuals that apply to Marine Corps operations have been incorporated to provide comprehensive, informative coverage of food services operations in the Marine Corps.

Every Marine is first and foremost, a rifleman. MCRP 3-01A reflects this ethos and the Marine Corps warfighting philosophy. This publication discusses the individual skills required for effective rifle marksmanship, and standardizes the techniques and procedures throughout the Marine Corps. It constitutes, the doctrinal basis for all entry level and sustainment level rifle marksmanship training.

MCWP 2-4 describes aspects of intelligence dissemination operations including doctrinal fundamentals, responsibilities, management, methodology and planning, and common forms of dissemination, such as estimates, studies, briefings, and reports. MCWP 2-4 provides the information needed by Marines to understand, plan, and execute intelligence dissemination operations in support of the MAGTF across the range of military operations.

The MCWP 2-12 provides the information needed by Marines to understand, plan, and execute intelligence production and analysis to support MAGTF operations. It describes intelligence doctrinal fundamentals, the nature of analytical thinking, intelligence preparation of the battlespace, and intelligence support to targeting. This publication also discusses intelligence command and control, communications and information systems support, intelligence products and formats, planning, execution, and training.

MCWP 2-12.1 describes aspects of geographic intelligence operations, including doctrinal fundamentals, command and control, communications and information systems support, planning, execution, equipment, security, and training. MCWP 2-12.1 provides the information Marines needed to understand, plan, and execute geographic intelligence operations in support of the MAGTF.

MCWP 2-14 describes aspects of CI operations across the spectrum of MAGTF, naval, joint and multinational operations, including doctrinal fundamentals, equipment, command and control, communications and information systems support, planning, execution, security, and training. MCWP 2-14 provides the information needed by Marines to understand, plan, and execute CI operations in support of the MAGTF across the spectrum of conflict.

Accounts of warfare often deal with the big picture ¿ the strategy, battle plans, and operations that constitute the standard military narrative. Less well documented is the gritty daily grind of the foot soldier, replete with dirt, mud, and sometimes blood. Veterans never forget these details, which all too often are missing from the history books. "Professional Knowledge Gained from Operational Experience in Vietnam 1965¿1966", compiled by the U.S. Marine Corps, vividly conjures up the intense daily interaction of U.S. troops and those of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (NLF) or, as they are referred to throughout this book, the Viet Cong (VC). This fascinating guide book is drawn not only from the experience of the Marine Corps but also that of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force and South Vietnamese armed forces. It provides detailed information on combating the guerrilla warfare tactics of the NLF, including extensive discussion and diagrams on tunnel warfare, the use of CS (tear) gas to clear them, interdiction of villages suspected of harboring guerrillas, and rear area patrolling. A particularly interesting section describes and illustrates the wide variety of NLF grenades and mines, many of them constructed from scrap or empty U.S. shell casings, which jeopardized American troops on land and water. It also provides detailed information on American military logistics, communications, and medicine at the unit level. "Professional Knowledge Gained from Operational Experience in Vietnam 1965¿1966" provides a unique perspective on a crucial stage of Americäs war in Vietnam. Historians, military officers, and anyone interested in the sinews and soul of infantry warfare will find it compelling reading.