Marine Corps Force Recon

U.S. Marine Corps Forces - MARSOC Missions

Marine Corps Forces missions include scout swimming, small boat operations, close combat skills, helicopter and submarine insertion/extraction techniques, assault climbing, demolitions, forward observer procedures for supporting arms, initial terminal guidance operations for heliborne assaults, airborne insertion operations, and various waterborne operations, communications, photography, and various types of amphibious reconnaissance operations.

As a member of MARSOC you'll fight the secret wars that never make the front page and you'll bring the highest level of expertise to every operation you are involved in.

However there's a catch, becoming a member of MARSOC is extremely difficult. Are you up to the challenge? If so you need to check out the requirements become a Reconnaissance Marine.

Video: MARSOC Missions and Organization

U.S. Marine Corps Forces - History

MARSOC's roots are found in the Marine Corps Force Recon which got its start during WWII in the South Pacific as the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion. In 1957 the Marine Corps merged the amphibious reconnaissance company with an experimental recon team to form the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company.

Force Recon saw their first military action in Viet Nam, but they were deactivated not long after the end of the conlict. It wasn't until 1986 that the 1st Force Reconnaissance was reactivated and later deployed in the Gulf War.

A NEW CHAPTER IN MARINE HISTORY

In October 2005, the Secretary of Defense directed the formation of a Marine Component of U. S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). It was determined that the Marine Corps would initially form a unit of approximately 2500 to serve with USSOCOM. MARSOC reached full operational capability in October of 2008.

On February 24, 2006, MARSOC activated at Camp Lejeune, NC. MARSOC initially consisted of a small staff and the Foreign Military Training Unit (FMTU), which had been formed to conduct Foreign Internal Defense (FID). FMTU is now designated as the Marine Special Operations Advisor Group (MSOAG).

In the months after the activation of MARSOC the structure and personnel of both 1st and 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company transferred to MARSOC to form the 1st and 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalions.

Today MARSOC consists of the Marine Special Operations Support Group (MSOSG) and the Marine Special Operations School (MSOS). The MSOSG provides combat support and combat service support to MARSOC Units, to include: Logistics; Communication; Intelligence; and K-9 support. The MSOS Screens, Assesses, Selects, Trains, and Certifies Marine Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) and has responsibility for doctrine development.


Learn more about becoming part of the Marine Force Recon team.