That is the claim of Lt. Gen. Victor Krulak in ‘‘First to Fight,” which has topped every Marine’s required reading list since June 2007. Now, a new concept being developed by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory promises to take amphibious ops to a whole new level.

The concept, known as Seabasing, is being billed by Corps officials as a ‘‘national joint capability” for the 21st century, and representatives from all U.S. services and several allies gathered here March 2-7 to further refine the concept.

Seabasing basically allows forces to conduct the same operations they conduct today but from mobile bases located off the coast, allowing far greater maneuverability and flexibility. Whereas today’s MEUs might respond to an international crisis by establishing a ground base, offloading gear and supplies, and launching operations from land, a seabase will allow forces to quickly maneuver to a conflict area, selectively offload mission-tailored gear, and conduct operations without ever establishing a significant footprint within the country.

In addition, Seabasing adds the benefit of continuous resupply, according to James Strock, director of the MCCDC Seabasing Integration Division.

‘‘The current construct is a MEU shows up with a set supply – 15 days, etc. (Seabases) can operate indefinitely,” Strock said.

Corps officials predict that 21st century military challenges will increasingly come from the world’s coastal regions, meaning amphibious operations promise to play a significant role. Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Murray, MCWL commanding general, said there already have been 85 amphibious operations since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Officials stressed that Seabasing is not a tangible thing, such as a collection of ships, but rather a flexible capability that will allow forces to react to a variety of situations, from full-on combat to humanitarian relief.

‘‘No two seabases will ever be the same,” Strock said.

At the wargame, the participants split into eight teams and applied the concept to three scenarios developed by MCWL. The scenarios, which are classified, posed challenges tomorrow’s military might face throughout the spectrum of operations, from counterinsurgency to disaster relief.

The teams identified topics for future exploration, such as concerns about interoperability between joint and international partners.

One team incorporated representatives from civilian organizations and explored how Seabasing might allow Marines to better work with nongovernmental and other organizations to react to international crises.

Speaking about ‘‘First to Fight” last June, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Conway told the Marine Corps Times, ‘‘This book depicts an elite, economical force that relies on adaptability, innovation and esprit to succeed.”

Today’s Marines appear to be taking that identity to heart. Although the Seabasing concept is still a work in progress, officials are confident it will prove invaluable in preserving the role of tomorrow’s Marines as the nation’s first responders.