United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is a

component command of the United States Special Operations Command that comprises
the Marine Corps' contribution to SOCOM. Its core capabilities are direct action, special
reconnaissance and foreign internal defense. MARSOC has also been directed to conduct
counter-terrorism, and information operations.[6]

History and lineage Marine Corps Forces Special

Operations Command

Seal of the Marine Corps Forces Special

Operations Command

Active 24 February 2006 –

present[1]
Country United States
of America

Branch United States

Marine Corps

Type Special Operations

Role Direct Action

Special
Reconnaissance

Foreign Internal
Defense

Counter-Insurgency

Counter-terrorism

High Value
Targets/Manhunting

Size 3,195 positions

authorized:[2]
2,994 military
personnel
 201 civilian
personnel

Part of U.S. Special

Operations
Command

Garrison/HQ Camp Lejeune,

North Carolina

Motto(s) "Always Faithful,

Always Forward"

March MARSOC Always

Faithful, Always
Forward

Anniversaries 7 September 2015

Engagements War on Terror

Operation
Enduring Freedom

Operation Iraqi
Freedom

Operation
 Inherent
Resolve[3]

Operation Juniper
Shield

Operation Pacific
Eagle –
Philippines[4]

Commanders

Current Major General Daniel

commander D. Yoo[5]

Sergeant Major Sergeant Major

Rafael Rodriguez

Command Master Command Master

Chief Chief Darryl G.
Beauchamp Jr.

Notable Joseph L. Osterman

commanders Mastin M. Robeson
Dennis J. Hejlik
Paul E. Lefebvre
 Mark A. Clark

Marine Raiders conduct combat

operations in eastern Afghanistan.

Its creation was announced on 23 November 2005 by US Defense Secretary Donald

Rumsfeld, following a meeting between him, the USSOCOM commander General Bryan D.
Brown, and the Marine Corps Commandant General Michael Hagee on 28 October 2005.
MARSOC was officially activated on 24 February 2006 with ceremonies at Camp Lejeune,
North Carolina.

The potential participation of the Marine Corps in SOCOM has been controversial since
SOCOM was formed in 1986.[7] At the time, Marine Corps leaders felt that their Force
Reconnaissance units were best kept in the Marine Corps' MAGTF command structure, and
that the detachment of an elite Marine Special Operations unit from the Marine Corps would
be to the detriment of the Marine Corps as a whole. A re-evaluation following the
September 11 attacks and the War on Terrorism, along with new policy established by
Secretary Rumsfeld and then-Commandant Gen. James L. Jones at The Pentagon, caused
the Marine Corps to work towards integration with SOCOM. The establishment of MARSOC
represented the most significant step towards that goal, and followed the establishment of
MCSOCOM Detachment One (DET1), a small Marine Corps detachment formed as a pilot
program to test Marine Corps integration into SOCOM. It was made up of mostly Force
Recon Marines from 1st and 2nd Force Reconnaissance Companies along with other hand-
picked support men and served with Navy SEALs under Naval Special Warfare Group One.
Detachment 1 conducted a multitude of special operations in Iraq alongside their Special
Operations brothers of the sister services. SOCOM conducted a study of the unit's
deployment, which clearly indicated success and strong performance. Detachment 1 was
disbanded in 2006 soon after the creation of MARSOC. The first of many Marine Special
Operations Companies stood up in June 2006.[8]

MARSOC's initial deployment to Afghanistan in 2007 was mired in controversy when its Fox
Company was sent back to the United States and its commander relieved from duty after a
shooting incident. The incident that resulted in as many as 19 civilians killed involved a
complex ambush by insurgents that included a suicide VBIED and small arms fire.
Allegations later arose that the MARSOC operators killed the civilians while suppressing
enemy fire[9], but these allegations proved false.[10] MARSOC Marines also took part in
Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines.[11]

Following General Petraeus' take over of command in Afghanistan in 2010, in support of the
ALP/VSO programme (Afghan Local Police/Village Stability Operations), SOF in Afghanistan
were task-organised into battalion level SOTF (Special Operations Task Forces), each with a
geographic area of responsibility - for MARSOC, this was western Afghanistan and Helmand
Province. In March 2012, MARSOC teams suffered several casualties to Green on Blue
attacks. In July 2012, a patrol of Afghan Army Commandos was ambushed by insurgents
from a number of buildings in Badghis Province, three Afghans were wounded by small arms
fire, Gunnery Sergeants Jonathan Gifford and Daniel Price raced forward on an ATV to
retrieve the wounded under direct fire from the enemy. After evacuating the wounded to an
emergency HLZ (Helicopter Landing Zone) from where they were safely medevaced, they
returned to firefight and assaulted the enemy positions in a fierce close-quarter battle.
Whilst throwing grenades down the chimney of an insurgent-occupied building, they were
struck and killed by PKM fire, for his actions that day Price was awarded the Silver Star.[12]

Marine Corps Times reported that in 2017, Marine Raiders assisted in the liberation of
Marawi from ISIS militants.[13]

In February 2019, Marine Corps Times reported that since the formation of MARSOC 13
years before, it had conducted 300 operational deployments across 13 countries, awarded
more than 300 valor awards, and that 43 Raiders had been killed in training and combat
operations.[13]
It was deployed supporting the Global War on Terrorism in December 2006 alongside the
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) where they conducted various
special operations missions, ranging from Direct action (military), reconnaissance and other
mission sets.[8]

Since MARSOC's first deployment, it has become a strong partner in SOCOM and proven
itself able to conduct full-spectrum special operations. They have successfully conducted
both long-term counterinsurgency under the VSO program and carried out complex Direct
Action tasks.[9]

The first Marine Special Operations Individual Training Course began at Camp Lejeune on 6
October 2008.[14] MARSOC's stated end-goal is 850 CSOs.[15]

Organization
US Marine Corps Forces Special
Operations Command
A 160th SOAR(A) MH-47 conducts
water insertion of Marine Raiders

A Marine Raider glides towards his

target during high-altitude
parachute operations.
 Marine Raiders conduct
CQB training.

MARSOC's organization was finalized in 2007. The base unit of MARSOC is the fourteen-
man Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT), commanded by a captain (O-3) as Team
Commander, assisted by a master sergeant (E-8) as Team Chief. Each team has two
identical squads, or Tactical Elements, each led by a gunnery sergeant (E-7) as Element
Leader. MARSOC is based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and is split into three
subordinate commands:
 Name Insignia Headquarters Description

MRR consists of a Headquarters Company and

three Marine Raider Battalions (1st, 2nd and 3rd).
The MRBs are tasked with direct action, special
reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and
information operations. They are also trained to
carry out peacetime foreign internal defense[17]
and unconventional warfare. This includes giving
Camp military training to friendly foreign nations. Each
Marine
Lejeune, NC MRB consists of four Marine Special Operations
Raider
and Camp Companies (MSOCs) that contain four Marine
Regiment[16]
Pendleton, CA Special Operations Teams (MSOTs) in each
Company. The organization allows a Team to
operate on its own if needed, but maintains the
ability to operate as part of a larger unit such as an
MSOC or SOTF, similar to Army Special Forces
ODA/B.[18] The core personnel strength of the
MRBs was initially drafted from Force
Reconnaissance Marines.

The MRSG, comprising the Group HQs, 1st, 2nd

 and 3rd Marine Raider Support Battalions, contain
the Command's administrative, and support
Marine assets.[19] The MRSG trains, equips, structures,
Raider Camp and provides specially qualified Marine forces to
Support Lejeune, NC augment MSOTs, including operational logistics,
Group[16] intelligence, multipurpose canines handlers,
Firepower Control Teams and communications
support in order to sustain worldwide special
operations missions.[20]

Marine
Conducts screening, training, selection,
Raider Camp
assessment, and development functions for
Training Lejeune, NC
MARSOC.[21]
Center

Special Operations Combat Service Specialist

Special Operations Combat Service Specialists (SOCS-Ss) are Combat Service Support
Marines who serve one standard tour with MARSOC in their primary MOS, such as Motor
Transport or Logistics. Their training includes core skills for joint and interagency work as
well as enhanced SOF combat skills training to enable their successful integration and
survivability in special operations environments.[22]

Special Operations Capabilities Specialist

Special Operations Capabilities Specialists (SOCS) are Combat Support Marines who are
able to join MARSOC based upon their MOS skill. They receive advanced special operations
forces training and certification. SOCSs are operational and tactical force multipliers and
frequently deploy alongside Critical Skills Operators (CSOs). SOCS billet fields include
Intelligence, Communications, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Dog Handlers, and Fire-Control
Specialists. Special Operations Capabilities Specialist are awarded the AMOS of 8071, and
return to the operating forces after an extended tour of service with MARSOC.[22]

Prerequisites

All Marines are screened to ensure that the Marines joining MARSOC meet the established
prerequisites for duty within the command.

Have a minimum GT score of 105, 110 for Officers.[23]

Have a minimum PFT of 235.[23]

Be able to pass the MARSOC swim assessment.[23]

 Meet the MARSOC medical screening criteria.[23]

Be eligible to obtain and maintain a secret clearance.[23]

Screening

Selection of the right personnel begins with a rigorous screening process designed to
identify the right Marines for the right billet within MARSOC. Operational billets were opened
to females as of 2016.[24] Screening takes place in 3 stages: record screening, physical
screening, and a psychological and medical evaluation.

Special Operations Training Course

The Special Operations Training Course (SOTC) is six weeks of unhindered, realistic,
challenging basic and intermediate Special Operations Forces (SOF) war fighting skills
training. During STC the Special Operations Capabilities Specialists will also attend Survival,
Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training along with a MARSOF Level 1 Course
specific to their MOS: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (6 weeks), Communications (12 weeks),
Intelligence (14-17 weeks), Joint Terminal Attack Controller (4 weeks), Multi-Purpose Canine
(10 weeks).[22]
Critical Skills Operators

Critical Skills Operators are the primary special operations Marines within MARSOC. They
are trained to execute a variety of missions. Specialized training also provides capabilities in
language fluency necessary for crossing cultural barriers, allowing CSOs to connect with
the local forces as well as civilians.[25] Marines designated CSOs are awarded MOS 0372.
Critical Skills Operators (CSOs) are assigned to Marine Special Operations Teams (MSOT),
Companies (MSOC) and Battalions (MSOBs).[26]

Raider legacy

On 6 August 2014, MARSOC claimed and officially bestowed the prestigious Marine Raider
moniker upon their subordinate combat units (Marine Special Operations Regiment) in
commemoration of the fabled and elite amphibious light infantry unit that operated during
World War II.[27]

Marine Raider Insignia

In August 2016, the Marine Corps approved a new Marine Special Operator Insignia for wear
by graduates of the five-phase Individual Training Course. Upon its approval, Maj. Gen. Carl
Mundy III, MARSOC commander, said in a statement: "The individual MARSOC operator
must be trained and educated to think critically and function in an increasingly complex
operating environment – to understand and interact in dynamic, dangerous and politically-
sensitive battlefields. Our rigorous training pipeline ensures that a newly minted critical
skills operator has developed the skills required for full spectrum special operations. This
badge serves as a visual certification that they have trained and prepared to accept their

new responsibilities."[28]

The pin device will first be issued to the next ITC graduating class of critical skills operators.
Critical skills operators and special operations officers already in the field will receive their
pins later.

In popular culture

In the film The Marine 3: Homefront, Mike "The Miz" Mizanin portrays former Force Recon
Marine and MARSOC Critical Skills Operator, Jake Carter.

In Battlefield 4, Tombstone squad consists of MARSOC CSOs and the main protagonist.

See also
 Participants of a Jane Wayne Day
event raid a town during the last
portion of a simulated special
operations mission on Camp Lejeune
N.C., 19 October 2013

2007 Shinwar shooting

Air Force Special Operations Command

Force Reconnaissance

Marine Raiders

MCSOCOM Detachment One

Organization of the United States Marine Corps

Special Operations

United States Army Special Operations Command

 United States Naval Special Warfare Command

United States Special Operations Command

References

k. SOCOM Public Affairs (2014). SOCOM Fact Book 2014 (PDF). SOCOM Public Affairs.
Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2013.

l. "SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES : Opportunities Exist to Improve Transparency of

Funding and Assess Potential to Lessen Some Deployments" (PDF). Gao.gov.
Retrieved 30 June 2017.

m. "More U.S. troops are being wounded in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon quietly
acknowledges" . Military Times. 5 January 2017.

n. "Leading over 800 enemy kills to guiding elite forces: These Marines were honored for
combat ops" . Marine Corps Times. 7 May 2018.

o. "MARSOC Leaders" . Marsoc.marines.mil. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.

p. Hejlik, Major General Dennis J; Gilmore, Major Cliff W; Ingram, Sergeant Major Matthew
P (August 2006). "Special Operations Marines and the Road Ahead". Marine Corps
Gazette. Marine Corps Association. ISSN 0025-3170 .
 r. Hope Hodge Seck (21 February 2015). "MARSOC remains a growing, changing force
after 9 years" . Marine Times. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
Retrieved 19 December 2016.

s. "MARSOC, Part 1: Devil Dogs of SOCOM" . Small Arms Defense Journal. 10 February
2012. Retrieved 24 May 2014.

t. Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military), Osprey
Publishing, 2015 ISBN 1472807901 ISBN 978-1472807908, p.165

ku. deGrandpre, Andrew (1 February 2019). "These Marines were falsely accused of war
crimes. Twelve years later, they have vindication" . msn. Washington Post. Retrieved
2 February 2019.

kk. Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military), Osprey
Publishing, 2015 ISBN 978-1-4728-0790-8, p.183

kl. Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military), Osprey
Publishing, 2015 ISBN 1472807901 ISBN 978-1472807908, p.161-162, p.166-167

km. "MARSOC's tab after 13 years: 43 deaths, more than 300 valor awards, and 300
operational deployments" . Marine Corps Times. 22 February 2019.

kn. Armistead, Michael Warren (20 October 2008). "First US MARSOF Individual Training
Course has begun" (Press release). United States Marine Corps. Retrieved
 15 November 2008.

ko. Kyle McNally. "ITC 2-11 Graduation" . Marines.mil.

kp. Hodge, Hope (11 June 2015). "marsoc-units-raiders-name-10-month-delay" .

Marinecorpstimes.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.

kr. Stahlman, Josephh (28 August 2007). "MSOAG Marines get LIT" . United States
Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 20 November
2008.

ks. "Questions & Responses Page" . U.S Marine Corps Forces Special Operations
Command. United States Marine Corps. 30 October 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2008.

kt. "Marine Special Operations Support Group" . U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special
Operations Command. United States Marine Corps. 15 November 2008.

lu. "Marine Raider Support Group" . Marsoc.marines.mil. 4 August 2016. Retrieved

30 June 2017.

lk. Maurer, Kevin (26 October 2008). "Marine Leader: Unit A Good Fit" . Fayetteville
Observer. Associated Press.

ll. Join Us - MARSOC Recruiting . Marsoc.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-24.

lm. "Prerequisites" . MARSOC Recruiting.

ln. Schehl, Matthew L. "marines-special-operations-command-gets-first-female-
applicants" . Militarytimes.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.

lo. "MARSOC Command Pamphlet" (PDF). MARSOC. March 2013. Archived from the
original (PDF) on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

lp. Critical Skills Operator Training & Selection . Americanspecialops.com. Retrieved on

2014-05-24.

lr. Lamothe, Dan (6 August 2014). "Marine Corps to adopt iconic Raiders name for its
Special Operations troops" . Washington Post. WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved
29 August 2014.

ls. Eckstein, Megan. "Marine Corps Announces New MARSOC Insignia Pin" . U.S.N.I.
News. U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the
United States Marine Corps.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to United States Marine Corps Forces
Special Operations Command.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command official website

2013 SOCOM Factbook

ShadowSpear Special Operations: MARSOC

MARSOC Prerequisites and Recruitment Phases

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