US Marines conduct a simulated amphibious assault during exercise Talisman Sabre 19 in Bowen, Australia, July 22, 2019. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Tanner D. Lambert In August 2019, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger published his Commandant's Planning Guidance, detailing a dramatic shift in the Marine Corps' force structure. It positions the Marines to take on China, but it also makes a subversive proposal to take on a sophisticated rival with cheaper capabilities than what the other branches are pursuing. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. US Marine officers are notoriously dismissive of those who talk about strategy.