The Commandant’s Reading List on Innovation: Part 2

From Guadalcanal to future wars—these five books reveal how Marines must think to remain relevant in the decades ahead

Innovation isn’t just a buzzword for the Marine Corps—it’s a matter of survival in a battlespace where adversaries adapt as quickly as we do. The Commandant’s Professional Reading List (CPRL) reflects this reality, offering Marines a curated path through the intellectual terrain of technological disruption, institutional change, and future conflict. In Part 1, we explored selections that tackled AI integration, historical patterns of adaptation, and speculative fiction grounded in strategic insight.

In Part 2, we go deeper. These books don’t just ask Marines to imagine the future—they challenge them to build it. Whether examining the consequences of digital-age warfare, the anatomy of successful doctrinal evolution, or the cultural shifts needed to foster innovation, these works remind us that preparing for tomorrow’s fight starts with reading today.

While these books do not explicitly describe the Marine Corps’ big bet with Force Design 2030, they offer a glimpse into the mindset required for the journey ahead. Innovation is not a one-time initiative—it is a continuous process. These works help illuminate how Marines must think, adapt, and lead to remain relevant in the decades to come.