Marine Corps’ Force Design Update Focuses on Modernization to Maintain Combat Readiness – ExecutiveGov

Report on the U.S. Marine Corps 2025 Force Design Update and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A report has been released by Gen. Eric Smith, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), detailing the 2025 Force Design Update. This strategic document outlines the service’s continuous modernization efforts, which are designed to maintain operational superiority against evolving global threats. The update’s initiatives, particularly in logistics and technology, demonstrate a significant alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Logistics Modernization: Fostering Resilient Infrastructure and Innovation (SDG 9)

A primary focus of the 2025 update is the acceleration of logistics modernization, a critical component for building resilient infrastructure and promoting innovation, directly supporting the targets of SDG 9.

• Resilient Infrastructure (SDG Target 9.1): The plan includes the development of a global positioning network throughout the Indo-Pacific. This initiative is designed to enhance logistics resiliency and reduce dependence on long, vulnerable supply chains, thereby creating more sustainable and reliable support systems.
• Technological Upgrading and Innovation (SDG Target 9.5): The USMC is developing a data-driven advanced logistics analytics platform. This system will fuse operations, intelligence, and sustainment data to enable faster and more precise logistics, particularly in degraded environments, representing a significant upgrade in the technological capabilities of an industrial sector.

Advancements in Autonomous Systems and Sustainable Technology

The USMC’s commitment to integrating autonomous technologies into its logistics distribution network further underscores its contribution to innovation and sustainable industrialization (SDG 9).

Key Autonomous Programs

1. Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel: Enhances maritime logistics with unmanned capabilities.
2. Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System: Provides aerial resupply without endangering personnel.
3. Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle–Expeditionary Logistics: Offers larger-scale autonomous aerial logistics support.

These programs, along with a proposed medium landing ship for “shore-to-shore logistics,” represent a strategic shift towards more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced logistical operations. This adoption of innovative technology aligns with the principles of Force Design 2030, which seeks to acquire next-generation capabilities for naval expeditionary warfare.

Strengthening Institutions for Global Peace and Stability (SDG 16)

The overarching goal of the Force Design update is to ensure the USMC remains a globally responsive and effective naval expeditionary force. By adapting its structure and capabilities, the service strengthens its role as a key national institution responsible for maintaining security and stability.

• Effective and Accountable Institutions (SDG Target 16.6): As stated by Gen. Smith, “Force Design is the Marine Corps’ strategic priority… modernization remains a continuous campaign of learning and adaptation.” This commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation ensures the institution remains effective and capable of responding to global challenges, thereby contributing to international peace and security.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The core of the article focuses on the U.S. Marine Corps’ (USMC) modernization efforts, which directly align with promoting innovation and upgrading infrastructure. The text details the “2025 Force Design Update,” which emphasizes “accelerating logistics modernization,” developing a “data-driven advanced logistics analytics platform,” and “advancing programs for tapping autonomous technologies in logistics distribution.” These initiatives represent a significant investment in technological innovation and the development of resilient infrastructure within a national institution.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article discusses the strengthening of a key national institution, the U.S. Marine Corps. The stated goal of the modernization is to “stay ahead of evolving threats and maintain its combat edge” and to remain a “globally responsive, naval expeditionary force.” This effort to enhance the effectiveness, capability, and responsiveness of a national security institution connects directly to the goal of building effective and capable institutions to maintain peace and security.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  A related article snippet mentions the Energy Secretary’s proposal for rules to “streamline preliminary hydroelectric power permits” and “ensure access to reliable energy infrastructure.” This directly addresses the promotion of renewable energy (hydropower) and the development of reliable energy infrastructure, which are central to SDG 7.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  In a related article summary, the U.S. Army’s plan for its next self-propelled howitzer includes making “domestic production a requirement.” This policy directly supports national economic activity and job creation by prioritizing local industry, which is a key aspect of promoting economic growth.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The article’s focus on creating a “global positioning network across the Indo-Pacific for logistics resiliency” and reducing “reliance on long supply chains” is an effort to build more resilient and reliable logistical infrastructure.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors. The entire “Force Design Update” is an exercise in upgrading technological capabilities. Specific mentions include the acquisition of “next-generation technologies,” the development of autonomous systems like the “Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel,” and the promotion of the “2026 Defense R&D Summit” to foster innovation.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence. The article describes how the USMC is adapting to “remain a globally responsive, naval expeditionary force capable of operating across multiple domains.” This modernization is a direct effort to strengthen this national institution and enhance its capacity to respond to global threats and maintain security.

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The proposal to “streamline preliminary hydroelectric power permits,” as mentioned in the related article, is a direct action aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy.
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The initiative to “ensure access to reliable energy infrastructure” supports investment in the foundational systems necessary for both conventional and clean energy.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The requirement for “domestic production” for a new howitzer system, mentioned in the related article, aims to stimulate the domestic industrial base and promote economic productivity within the country.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress:

• For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):

  • The number and type of new autonomous systems fielded (e.g., “Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System,” “Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle–Expeditionary Logistics”).
  • The establishment and operational capability of the “data-driven advanced logistics analytics platform.”
  • Progress on the establishment of the “global positioning network across the Indo-Pacific.”

• For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):

  • The successful implementation of the “2025 Force Design Update” milestones.
  • The number of “new capabilities” fielded and integrated into the force.
  • Metrics of operational readiness and global responsiveness of the USMC.

• For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):

  • Reduction in the processing time for “preliminary hydroelectric power permits.”
  • The number of new rules implemented by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to “accelerate interconnection.”

• For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):

  • The inclusion of “domestic production” clauses in major defense acquisition contracts.
  • The value of contracts awarded to domestic manufacturers for the specified howitzer program.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: executivegov.com