Hole 16 – “Mountain Resolve”

Year(s):
2001–2021

Key Historic Moment:
Afghanistan—operations in Helmand Province and rugged mountain terrain define Marine combat.

On-Course Activation:
Climbing rope station; QR code oral histories from Marines in Afghanistan.

Facts (1–18)

  1. Marines spent two decades conducting counterinsurgency, advisory, and kinetic operations in Afghanistan.
  2. Helmand Province saw sustained combat including poppy eradication and stronghold clearances.
  3. Marines partnered with Afghan National Security Forces to build local capacity.
  4. Mountainous terrain complicated logistics, mobility, and communications.
  5. Fire support coordination with aviation and artillery was essential in remote valleys.
  6. The Corps adapted tactics to fight both insurgents and complex terrain-based threats.
  7. Patrols, village engagement, and reconstruction became routine operational tasks.
  8. Route security and convoy operations were frequent and dangerous missions.
  9. Marines implemented training programs for Afghan units across many provinces.
  10. Casualty care and medical evacuation capabilities saved numerous lives under austere conditions.
  11. Counter-IED techniques evolved rapidly to mitigate roadside threats.
  12. Marine Special Purpose and Special Operations elements frequently partnered for high-value missions.
  13. Cultural awareness and language skills were vital for hearts-and-minds efforts.
  14. The long deployment cycle impacted families and long-term mental health awareness programs.
  15. Interagency cooperation (State, USAID, NATO partners) became mission-critical.
  16. Marines helped build infrastructure—schools, clinics, and governance support—in secured areas.
  17. The experience informed doctrine on stabilization operations and transition planning.
  18. Afghanistan service highlighted the limits and requirements of prolonged counterinsurgency.

Hole 17 — “Pacific Pivot”

Year(s):
2010s–2020s

Key Historic Moment:
Marines focus on Indo-Pacific strategy, reinforcing bases in Guam, Japan, and Australia.

On-Course Activation:
Interactive Pacific map floor graphic; drone display showing modern tech.

Facts (1–18)

  1. The Pacific Pivot emphasized forward presence and deterrence against regional threats.
  2. Marines increased rotational deployments to Guam, Japan, and Australia.
  3. The Corps experimented with littoral and distributed operations concepts.
  4. Force Design 2030 initiatives prioritized long-range fires and maritime strike capabilities.
  5. Exercises like Talisman Saber and Cobra Gold strengthened partner interoperability.
  6. The addition of systems like HIMARS increased long-range precision fires from shore.
  7. Marine littoral regiments were developed to operate from dispersed maritime platforms.
  8. Emphasis on anti-access/area-denial environments influenced training and equipment choices.
  9. Forward-deployed Marines supported humanitarian missions across the Pacific basin.
  10. Amphibious readiness and ship-to-shore mission sets were reimagined for contested seas.
  11. Marine aviation adaptations improved over-the-horizon strike and ISR integration.
  12. Alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and others became operational focal points.
  13. Distributed logistics and mobile basing concepts were trialed for resilience.
  14. Cyber, space, and information operations increasingly integrated into Marine planning.
  15. The pivot reinforced the Corps’ role as a maritime, expeditionary force-in-readiness.
  16. Training incorporated contested littoral navigation, anti-ship missile awareness, and sea-denial tactics.
  17. The strategy emphasized speed, mobility, and survivability across islands and archipelagos.
  18. The Pacific focus shaped future procurement and doctrine in preparation for high-end conflict.

Hole 18 — “Honor Through the Ages”

Year(s):
Present–Future

Key Historic Moment:
Marines embrace mental health resilience, robotics, Force Design 2030, and cyber warfare readiness.

On-Course Activation:
Augmented reality display of future Marine gear; veteran mental health awareness booth.

Facts (1–18)

  1. Force Design 2030 reorganizes the Corps to be more maritime-focused, mobile, and lethal at range.
  2. Unmanned systems (air and sea) are increasingly integrated into Marine operations.
  3. Marines emphasize expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) to complicate adversary planning.
  4. Cyber and electronic warfare capabilities are now integral to Marine planning.
  5. Mental health, resiliency, and family support programs have expanded as institutional priorities.
  6. Veteran transition and employment support programs have grown to support post-service life.
  7. Training now emphasizes multi-domain integration (sea, air, land, cyber, space).
  8. The Corps is investing in long-range precision fires and distributed sensors.
  9. Climate change and humanitarian crises are shaping expeditionary planning and deployment patterns.
  10. Diversity, inclusion, and talent management are modern force-readiness priorities.
  11. Advances in protective gear, medevac tech, and battlefield medicine improve survival rates.
  12. Marine partnerships with allies remain central to deterrence and forward posture.
  13. Experimental concepts like sea-basing and mobile logistics are being prototyped.
  14. The Corps balances legacy amphibious capabilities with new stand-in/stand-off approaches.
  15. Emphasis on small-unit autonomy and rapid decision-making for contested environments.
  16. Recruitment and training adapt to attract talent with technical and cyber skills.
  17. Institutional memorialization and historical education programs maintain continuity with tradition.
  18. The future Marine will combine hard-won tradition with flexible, tech-enabled expeditionary skillsets.

Hole Navigation

1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15

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