Mission tactics, the most distinguishing feature of maneuver warfare, developed as a response to pervasive uncertainty, which MCDP 6, based on Van Creveld, identifies as the fundamental challenge of command. The Marine Corps, we argue, needs to answer three questions as an institution. First, does it still believe this condition to be true? We certainly do. We do not believe that information technology has changed that condition-or is about to any time soon. Second, if the answer to the first question is yes, are mission tactics still the best response to that condition-especially in the face of technology developments, the continued evolution of joint operations, and a culture of control that strongly favor command-by-plan? Third, if the answer to that question is also yes, is the Marine Corps willing make the effort necessary and put itself decidedly out of step with the other components of the joint force to institutionalize mission tactics?
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