Subject Area – Topical Issues EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Title: Distinctive Competencies: Taming the Marine “Corps-glomerate”

by a relatively generous supply of defense resources during the Cold War, the Marine Corps expanded and diversified its structure and operations. The continuing trend is contributing to an untenable situation as the security environment changes. This resembles a classic problem faced by the modern business conglomerate—that of overdiversification; yet, the Marine Corps has neither addressed nor resolved it satisfactorily. Discussion: Given the frequent encouragement by defense leaders to “adopt and adapt the lessons of the private sector, ” it is worth considering private sector tools for strategic planning that might prove useful in adapting the Marine Corps ’ strategic posture to its changing internal and external environments. Proven strategic planning techniques used in the private sector suggest that the Marine Corps should respond by refocusing its operations. This involves revalidating its core “businesses, ” identifying its distinctive competencies, shedding capabilities unrelated to these competencies, refocusing resources on these competencies, and retailoring its organizational structure to amplify the strategy’s benefits. Complex geostrategic events have altered the environment in which the Marine Corps operates