Small Wars Manual

During the early years of the 20th century, the Corps was widely viewed as the nation's overseas police and initial response force.

Moreover, the actual execution of these roles were a natural adjunct of the Corps' officially directed mission of sea-based power projection, in turn buttressed by its fundamental expeditionary operational character; i.e., the availability for "sudden and immediate call".

Major Samuel M. Harrington of the Marine Corps Schools delivered a formal report The Strategy and Tactics of Small Wars in 1921.

A classic of military science, based upon experience, not theory, it remains relevant today as the foundation of much current thinking and doctrine.

[1] General James Mattis encouraged the troops of the 1st Marine Division to read it in preparation for the Corps's return to the Iraq War as an occupation force.