The military must learn to operate more in the gray zone November 4, 2020 While not necessarily postured to operate daily below the level of armed conflict, the military must learn how to do so in order to defeat adversary advances. (Lance Cpl. Andrew Skiver/Marine Corps) WASHINGTON — As nations are increasingly more active in operations that fall below the threshold of traditional conflict, the U.S. military needs to learn how to respond in kind, contends one Marine Corps commander. Being more active in this competition, or gray zone space, is somewhat unfamiliar territory for the U.S. military, but it could be beneficial if competition turns into a hot conflict, said Col. Brian Russell, commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG).