Wrrll THE 2D MARINE DIVISION IN DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM              3

thoughtful leader, he had already built a staff of officers in whom he had con-
fidence, and who returned his trust with competence and professionalism.  He
now had to lead them in a reconfiguration of the division and in an examination
of how it was to operate in combat. With his Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3,
Colonel Ronald G. Richard, and his Headquarters Battalion commander, Colonel
Roger C. McElraft, he reviewed Fleet Marine Force Manual 6-1, to discover
what changes best might be made to accomplish his anticipated mission.~ He
believed that his staff and subordinate commanders would do well tactically; all
would be doing what they had trained to do throughout their careers. The
general also believed that a critical factor would be their ability to "fight
smarter" than the enemy, as emphasized in the concepts of maneuver warfare.~
    Recognizing the special features of desert warfare, General Keys emphasized
the ability of the division to provide proper rear area security and timely,
coordinated troop movements over large distances.? The performance of these
two functions caused the general and the colonels some concern, but the greatest
problem was that of finding enough trained personnel. All possible sources were
searched for Marines to perform these tasks. In August, the return to the
division of Headquarters Battalion's Military Police Company was requested
from MCB Camp Lejeune.   With the large movement requirements for which
Headquarters Battalion would be responsible, an early request was made in
October for the 4th Truck Company from the 4th Marine Division. In No-
vember, additional Military Police support was requested, again from the 4th
Marine Division. To assist with rear area security, two companies of specially
qualified Marines were added to Headquarters Battalion: Anti-Tank TOW (tube-
launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided) Missile Company of the 4th Tank
Battalion, 4th Marine Division, and Company A, Marine Barracks, Washington,
D.C.  Finally, in keeping with the tradition of "every Marine a rifleman," the
2d Marine Division Band would provide additional security to the division
headquarters.
    Even as the division looked ahead to its probable deployment, there were
still requirements of the Fleet and II MEF which had to be met. The deployment
of 4th MEB in August has already been mentioned; when this unit left, it took
4,000 trained Marines and their equipment away from the division. In addition,
the 2d and 3d Battalions, 8th Marines, were needed to maintain the standing
MEU commitments in the Mediterranean.9 These shorffalls in the division's
organization had to be made good to bring it back to fighting strength. One
obvious source was from the Marine Corps Reserve. This avenue was initially
closed by the Commandant's policy that the Marine Corps would meet its
commitments for the first 60 days without the use of its Reserve. However, on


    `Under a base-division agreement of 1979, the military police of the 2d Marine Division were
consolidated with those of Camp Lejeune.

    Assigned to Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets, S.E., Washington, D.C. Company A is one
of the Marine Corps' ceremonial drill units.