MARSOC: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations CommandAn illustrated profile of the Marine Corps component of USSOCOM, its origins & history, training & missions, and special equipment & weapons. The United States Marine Corps has a rich tradition of special operations, from World War II’s famed Marine Raiders and Para Marines to Korea and Vietnam’s legendary Marine Force Recon companies. Indeed, when Navy underwater demolition teams, the direct predecessors to the SEALs, performed the preinvasion reconnaissance of Iwo Jima, recon Marines were part of the mission. But when US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was created in 1987 in the wake of the abortive Desert One hostage rescue mission, the Marines did not join in. Spec ops on land, sea, and air were covered by the Army, Navy, and Air Force; the Corps felt it needed to keep its top warriors with its conventional forces. In the post-9/11 world, however, the need for special operations forces dramatically increased. With the creation of the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) in 2006, Marines officially become part of USSCOM. Initially drawn from the ranks of Force Recon companies, these highly skilled and combat-proven Leathernecks joined their spec ops brethren in taking the war to al-Qaeda and the Taliban in America’s global war on terrorism. MARSOC’s mission is to win wars before they begin, taking combat beyond the frontlines. When America needs to respond to aggression in distant lands, the call comes to send in the Marines. With the creation of MARSOC, chances are special operations Marines are already there. |
Contents
7 | |
Chapter 2 HISTORY OF MARINE CORPS SPECIAL OPERATIONS | 23 |
Chapter 3 MARSOC CREATION AND ORGANIZATION | 43 |
Chapter 4 SELECTION AND TRAINING | 63 |
Chapter 5 WEAPONS | 87 |
Chapter 6 TACTICAL GEAR | 123 |
Chapter 7 TACTICS TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES | 143 |
Common terms and phrases
1st Marine Afghan National Afghan National Army Afghanistan Airborne aircraft ammunition armor assault attached barrel Camp Lejeune capabilities close quarters battle combat conduct CSOs Defense deployed designed detachment enemy equipment Farah province fast-roping fire Force Recon grenade launcher grip ground HALO/HAHO helicopter HMMWV insertion intelligence jump LANCE CPL landing laser light lightweight M-ATV M4A1 carbine machine gun magazine Marine Force Marine Special Operations MARSOC Marines MARSOC PAO meters mounted MSOB MSOC MSOT Navy night vision device optical parachute patrol personnel pistol platoon provides Quantico raid Raider Battalion rail Recon Marines rope semiautomatic Shewan sight sniper rifle SOCOM SOF units soldiers SOPMOD Special Forces Special Operations Battalion Special Operations Command Special Operations Forces Special Operations Task special reconnaissance suppressor Surefire tactics Taliban target U.S. Army U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Special Operations USMC HISTORY DIVISION USMC PHOTO vehicle warfare weapon