Are All Marines Trained to Return from Combat?

Marine forces encounter complex problems daily ranging from car bombs, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and suicide bombers who kill as many personnel as possible with no remorse for the loss of innocent life. The Marine rifle squad locates, closes with, and destroys the enemy through the use of new technology, better training, and increased speed and operational tempo on the battlefield. Combat service support (CSS) units have had to adapt quickly on the battlefield to support the needs of these combat forces. CSS units are more likely to face the enemy on the battlefield while providing combat service support than ever before. CSS units are often seen as a critical vulnerability of a force and as easy targets. Current operations have proven this theory, yet CSS units fail to train for this reality. Marines within CSS units are inadequately trained for combat operations because of current CSS force structure, CSS missions, and a lack of realistic training and evaluations during peacetime.