United States Marine Corps Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) Welcome to the Introduction to Special Operations Forces (ISOF) lesson on Marine Special Operations Forces. This lesson will help you gain a better understanding of the youngest service component in Special Operations Command. Click arrow below to continue

MARSOF Always Forward Always Faithful SILENT WARRIORS Marine Special Operations Forces are organized under the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Like the other SOF service components, MARSOC has its own unique history, means of organizing, core activities, and methods of employment. Understanding these facets of Marine Special Operations will expand your knowledge and understanding of US SOF. Let’s take a look at some of the capabilities of MARSOC before we discuss them in more detail. SILENT WARRIORS

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MARSOF Lineage 1954 Force Reconnaissance Concept developed at Camp Pendleton, CA. 1986 USMC retains Force Reconnaissance Companies and does not contribute forces to USSOCOM. June 2003 USMC stood up SOC Det 1 to assess value of USMC SOF permanently attached to USSOCOM. March 2004 Det 1 deployed in support of OIF. 2005 SECDEF designates Marine Corps component member of USSOCOM to provide “Expeditionary SOF”. 2005 Foreign Military Training Unit becomes MSOAG. 2005 1st and 2nd Force Recon Co become 1st and 2d MSOB. Though new to SOCOM, MARSOC traces its lineage to specialized units throughout Marine Corps history, namely those in force reconnaissance, amphibious reconnaissance, and Marine raiders. The spirit of MARSOC can be traced through Marine recon units fighting Vietcong forces in Vietnam. Raiders conducting bold raids in the Pacific World War II campaign, small squads engaged with indigenous forces in Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Philippines, and as far back as Marine Lt Presley O’Bannon leading a force of Marines and mercenaries traveling across 600 miles of Libyan desert to attack the fortress at Derna, Tripoli, in 1805.

Since Activation Marine Corps Special Operations Det 1 General Lindsay prepares to take command at USSOCOM activation ceremony, April 1987. Marine Corps Special Operations Det 1 Forerunner to MARSOF Pilot program to assess value of Marine SOF, June 2003 Deployed to Iraq with Naval Special Warfare, March 2004 Independent study finds Marine SOF valid concept At the time of the creation of the joint U.S. Special Operations Command in 1986, the Marine Corps retained its force reconnaissance companies within its Air Ground Task Force command structure and did not contribute forces to USSOCOM. It was not until June 2003 that the Marine Corps activated Special Operations Command Detachment One, at Camp Pendleton, as a pilot program to assess the value of Marine Special Operations Forces permanently attached to USSOCOM. Detachment 1 deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2004 and operated under Naval Special Warfare Group One to execute direct action, coalition support, and battlefield shaping operations. A study by Joint Special Operations University found that, “The trial deployment demonstrated the Marine Corps Special Operations Command detachment could effectively conduct direct action and special reconnaissance... it is reasonable to suggest that the detachment could also conduct or support foreign internal defense, counterterrorism, special activities, selected theater security cooperation plans, and other tasks as required.” 5

Since Activation 24 February 2006 MARSOC activated at Camp Lejeune, NC. 17 July 2006 MARSOC designated SOF by SecDef Assigned to SOCOM in accordance with Title 10 October 08 Full Operational Capability. Projected FY12 Full Mission Capability. End strength approximately 2,600 Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and civilians. Projected FY 17 Total Force Growth End strength approximately 4,000 On 24 February 2006, MARSOC was activated during a ceremony at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. That day marked the official entry of the Marine Corps into U.S. Special Operations Forces and was a particularly important milestone because, in the words of then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld offered during the ceremony, “...it pairs two of history’s most dedicated groups of warriors: the men and women of the U.S. Special Operations Command with the United States Marine Corps.” 6

Relationships SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (SOCOM) ARMY SPECIAL AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND MARINE CORPS SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND Established on 24 February 2006, the United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command is the Marine Corps component of USSOCOM.

MARSOF Mission Recruit, organize, train, equip, educate, sustain, maintain combat readiness and deploy task organized, scalable and responsive Marine Corps Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) worldwide to accomplish Special Operations (SO) missions assigned by CDRUSSOCOM, and / or Geographic Combatant Commanders (GCC) employing SOF. MARSOC headquarters, Camp Lejeune, N.C. MARSOC is headquartered at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and when completely fielded will include approximately 2,600 Marines, Sailors, and civilian employees. MARSOC performs the Title 10 functions of manning, organizing, training, and equipping Marine Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) to accomplish their mission. MARSOC headquarters is responsible for identifying Marine Special Operations-unique requirements; developing MARSOF tactics, techniques, procedures, and doctrine; and executing assigned missions in accordance with designated conditions and standards.

Special Boat Unit (SBU) Spec Tactics Squadrons (STS) Component Comparison WARCOM US Navy SEALs Special Boat Unit (SBU) USASOC US Army Special Forces Rangers Spec Ops Aviation MISO Civil Affairs 9,480 31,551 15,236 AFSOC US Air Force Spec Ops Wing (SOW) Spec Tactics Squadrons (STS) This chart provides a graphic description of the service component sizes within SOCOM, and the relatively small size of MARSOC at four percent of the SOCOM manning. Even as MARSOC continues to grow to its full authorized strength of 2619, the portion of SOCOM will remain below five percent. This contribution from the Marine Corps to SOCOM equals less than one percent of the Marine Corps, based on fiscal year 2011 Defense Manpower Requirements Report, December 2010. 2,619 MARSOC US Marine Corps MSOR MSOSG MSOS

MARSOC Current MARSOC Task Organization MSOR MSOSG MSOS FMC FY14 Camp Lejeune 179 USMC 11 USN MSOR 172 USMC 11 USN Camp Pendleton MSOSG 47 USMC MSOS 279 USMC 25 USN Intel Bn (-) 1st MSOB 173 USMC 22 USN 2d MSOB 131 USMC 8 USN 3d MSOB 111 USMC 8 USN 133 USMC MSOC 11 USMC 1 USN MSOC 11 USMC 1 USN MSOC 11 USMC 1 USN 93 USMC 1 USN MSOT 12 USMC 2 USN MSOT 12 USMC 2 USN MSOT 12 USMC 2 USN A Marine Corps major general commands MARSOC with a supporting staff designed to be compatible in all functional areas with both USSOCOM and the headquarters of the Marine Corps. Although the MARSOC headquarters is a non-deployable unit, the MARSOC commander and members of his staff may augment as needed to deploy in support of USSOCOM tasks to form, deploy, and employ a Joint Special Operations Task Force. The MARSOC structure includes a headquarters and three subordinate units: the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), with three Marine Special Operations Battalions (MSOB) (1st MSOB at Camp Pendleton, California, and 2nd and 3rd MSOB at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina), the Marine Special Operations Support Group (MSOSG), and the Marine Special Operations School (MSOS) also at Camp Lejeune. Notice the breakout of naval personnel in the MARSOC structure. Like other Marine units, MARSOC receives its medical and religious support personnel from the Navy. Corpsmen have always proudly served alongside Marines as “docs”. The Corpsmen within MARSOC trace their lineage to the Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsmen (SARC), specialized Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen that supported reconnaissance units. SARCs attend joint training at the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center. The two US Army personnel assigned are the veterinarians that provide care to the Multi-purpose Canines (MPCs), the SOF version of Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Also note the very small number of civilian positions in the command structure. FMC FY14 Tng Cell Tng Cell Tng Cell 73 USMC 23 USN 11 USMC 11 USMC 11 USMC Current structure USMC 2,291 USN 191 USA 2 Civ 135 TOTAL 2619 Det West 159 USMC 2 USN 10

MSOR, “3 Like MSOBs” and enabler growth…to increase “tooth to tail” GAO Study Government Accountability Office Study, Aug ’06 – Jul ‘07 “…the size of the Marine Corps special operations command (2,516 personnel) was not determined through an analysis of the Command’s assigned missions.” “…Marine Corps planners prioritized the assignment of personnel in warfighter positions in special operations forces units over positions in support units.” 1-3-12-48 Reorganization Approval CDRUSSOCOM and CMC in Aug 2007; MROC in May 2008 “The MROC is fully committed to funding the MARSOC reorganization costs…” As a learning organization, MARSOC requested a Government Accounting Office (GAO) study, which was conducted from August 2006 to July 2007. Two key findings from the study determined that the MARSOC structure was not designed through analysis of any assigned missions and that the design favored warfighter positions rather than support personnel. The Marine Corps and USSOCOM committed to a restructuring that would realign the operational units and increase enablers. MSOR, “3 Like MSOBs” and enabler growth…to increase “tooth to tail” (growth through FY 14) MROC DM 46-2008

‘EMBRACE’ MARSOC “We will fully embrace MARSOC and Capitalize on its unique capabilities, while we strengthen the relationships between our operating forces and special operations forces.” General Amos, excerpt from 35th CMC Commandant’s Planning Guidance 2010 Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for MARSOC personnel 0370 FMOS 0372 PMOS 8071 NMOS Total Force Structure Increase (1,000) A significant transition occurred in 2010 as the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) assumed command and published his planning guidance. Within the 2010 CMC Planning Guidance, General Amos stated, “We will fully embrace MARSOC and capitalize on its unique capabilities, while we strengthen the relationships between our operating forces and Special Operations Forces.” This embracing of MARSOC most immediately translated into a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) track for officers, enlisted operators, and support enablers in MARSOC, and in a force structure increase of up to 1,000 Marines. The growth in personnel is designed to strengthen the support deficiencies identified by the 2007 GAO report.

MARSOC MARSOC Total Force Total Force USMC 3426 USN 266 USA 6 Civ 299 317 MARSOC Camp Lejeune Camp Pendleton 1,455 MSOR MSOS 285 MSOSG 1,369 MSOR Spt Det HQ SOTB MSOCSB MSOLB H&S / GS Co Co ‘B’ ENG Co ‘C’ 1st MSOB 2d MSOB 3d MSOB SERE LANG 493 379 418 418 418 COMM Co H&S / GS Co MPC Plt FIRES Intel Co ‘C’ Intel Co ‘B’ MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOC MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT MSOT Approved total force structure will “thicken the lines,” balancing out the support agencies in MARSOC. These additional Marines and Sailors will fill in the headquarters, positions within Marine Special Operations School, and several enhancements throughout the Marine Special Operations Support Group, including growth of the West Coast detachment to a battalion-sized organization. By the time these total force growth estimates are realized in fiscal year 14, the building of operators will have achieved the fourth team in each Marine Special Operations Company (MSOC) and the fourth MSOC in each Marine Special Operations Battalion (MSOB). MSOSB 412 Total Force USMC 3426 USN 266 USA 6 Civ 299 TOTAL 4057 MPC Plt Intel Co ‘A’ FIRES Log Co ‘A’ COMM Plt GS Plt

Regiment (MSOR) 3 Battalions (MSOBs) Core Activities Direct Action (DA) Special Reconnaissance (SR) Foreign Internal Defense (FID) Counterterrorism (CT) Information Operations (IO) Counter Proliferation The Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR) is located at Camp Lejeune, NC, and consists of a headquarters company and three Marine Special Operations Battalions. The MSOR, commanded by a Marine colonel, organizes, provides, trains, and equips qualified Marine forces for worldwide special operations missions as directed. MARSOC maintains assigned core activities in direct action (DA), special reconnaissance (SR), foreign internal defense (FID), counterterrorism (CT), and support to Information Operations (IO) and counter proliferation. In the next few slides we’ll look closer at the MSOR subordinate units and capabilities.

Battalion (MSOB) Deployable SOTF-level command with the capability to augment a JSOTF. Provides command and control and basic staff functions for MSOC or MSOT(s) and attached enablers. As a deployed MARSOTF the Command Element (CE) provides C2 capacity, special equipment support, intelligence, and fire support to two or more MSOCs. There are three Marine Special Operations battalions (MSOBs) within the MSOR. 1st MSOB is located at Camp Pendleton, CA, and the 2nd and 3rd MSOBs are both located at Camp Lejeune, NC. Each MSOB is commanded by a lieutenant colonel and is organized, trained, and equipped to deploy for worldwide employment as directed. MSOBs are comprised of a headquarters element and four Marine Special Operations companies. They include organic combat support, intelligence, fire support, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), as well as water and parachute assets for amphibious and airborne insertions. MSOBs provide command and control and basic staff functions for MSOCs, and can augment a Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) as a deployable command.

Company (MSOC) MSOT XXX1 1/11/0/2 (14) MSOT XXX2 1/11/0/2 (14) MSOC HQ 4/8/0/1 (13) CO – Maj XO – Capt 1stSgt S2 – Capt Ops Chf – MGySgt S3 – GySgt Air O – Capt S4 – GySgt S6 – GySgt Data – Sgt SAT – Sgt Radio – Sgt Med – HMC Enablers: 0/22/0/0 (22) EOD – SSgt (4) Riggers – SSgt( 1) /Sgt (1) Boat Mech – Sgt (1) 1 FCT SSgt – Sgt (3) Admin – Cpl (1) Comm Repair Tech – Cpl (2) MT Mech – Sgt (1) / Cpl (1) Ammo Tech – Sgt (1) Armor – SSgt (1) Embark – Cpl(1) Supply Admin – Sgt (1) Generator Mech – Cpl (1) MPC Team (2) Intel DST: 1/12/0/0 (13) CI/HUMINT Off – CWO3 (1) HUMINT – SSgt (3) SIGINT Collector S – Sgt (1) /Sgt (2) Crypto Linguist S – gt (1) /Sgt (1) SI Comm – Cpl (1) Intel Analyst – Sgt (2) Geospatial – Sgt (1) Each Marine Special Operations Company (MSOC) is commanded by a major and is capable of deploying with three Marine Special Operations Teams (MSOTs) for conduct of special reconnaissance, direct action, and foreign internal defense missions. When deployed, each MSOC is augmented with direct intelligence support and enabler capabilities, shown graphically in green blocks on either side of the organic MSOC structure. With robust intelligence fusion, integrated combat enabler support, and specialized MSOTs, an MSOC provides a tremendous level of capabilities to commanders as a complete “find, fix, finish, exploit, and analyze” (F3EA) package. MSOT XXX1 1/11/0/2 (14) MSOT XXX2 1/11/0/2 (14) MSOT XXX3 1/11/0/2 (14) Base MSOC 7/41/7 (55) With Enablers 8/75/7 (90)

MSOC Future Capability Support: 0/27/0/0 (27) EOD SSgt (5) Riggers SSgt (1) /Sgt (1) 0451 Boat Mech Sgt (1) 1342 FCT SSgt -Sgt (5) 8002/0861/0621 Admin Cpl (1) 0151 Comm Repair Tech Cpl (2) 2844 MT Mech Sgt (1) / Cpl (1) 3521 Ammo Tech Sgt (1) 2311 Armor SSgt (1) 2112 Embark Cpl(1) 0431 Supply Admin Sgt (1) 3043 Generator Mech Cpl (1) 1142 MPC Team (4) Any MOS MSOC HQ 4/8/0/1 (13) CO Maj 0302 XO Capt 0302 1stSgt 1stSgt 8999 S2 Capt 0202 Ops Chf MGySgt 0321 S3 GySgt 0321 Air O Capt 7502 S4 GySgt 0491 S6 GySgt 0629 Data Sgt 0656 SAT Sgt 0627 Radio Sgt 0621 Med HMC 8403 Intel DST: 2/23/0/0 (25) OIC HUMINT Off CWO3 (1) 0210 HUMINT SSgt (5) 0211 SIGINT Collector SSgt (4) /Sgt (4) 2621 Crypto Linguist Sgt (1) /Sgt (1) 267X SI Comm Cpl (1) 2651 Intel Analyst Sgt (5) 0231 GEOINT Sgt (1) 0241/61 9 at MSOC HQ 4 to each MSOT -- HUMINT -- SIGINT (2) -- Intel Analyst USSOCOM and the Marine Corps recognize the unique intelligence fusion capability integrated in an MSOC, and have committed to enhancing this capability. Future growth will add select intelligence specialties that will provide direct support elements to each MSOT. This will further enhance the intelligence fusion in the MSOC and allow greater distribution of MSOTs. MSOT XXX1 1/11/0/2 (14) Plus 4 DSE MSOT XXX2 1/11/0/2 (14) Plus 4 DSE MSOT XXX3 1/11/0/2 (14) Plus 4 DSE MSOT XXX4 1/11/0/2 (14) Plus 4 DSE Base MSOC 8/ 52/0/9 (69) With Enablers 10/102/0/9 (121)

*Special Amphib Recon Corpsman Team (MSOT) Network Operations Course (12 wks) MNOC MFIC 18 B 18 C 18 D Field Intelligence Course (3 wks) SO Weapons Course (14 wks) SO Engineers Course (14 wks) SO IDC Course (6/12 mos) The MARSOC building block Captain Team Leader GySgt Ops SNCO MSgt Team Chief GySgt Comm Chief Each Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) is comprised of 14 men, and is the smallest MARSOF unit capable of conducting independent Special Operations missions. Compare the size of an MSOT with SEAL platoons and Special Forces teams. An MSOT can conduct operations in remote areas and austere environments for extended periods of time with minimal external direction and support. Marines and Sailors are cross trained in five field specialty tracks: intelligence, communications, medical, weapons, and engineering. Each team has direct intelligence links to the MSOC as well as access to the company’s enabling assets for support. SSgt Element Leader Cpl Element Member HM2 SARC-IDC SSgt Element Leader Cpl Element Member HM2 SARC * *Special Amphib Recon Corpsman Sgt Element Member Cpl Element Member Sgt Element Member Cpl Element Member MSOT O-3 x 1 E-8 x 1 E-7 x 1 E-6 x 3 E-5 x 5 E-4 x 3 Total: 14 SF A Team O-3 x 1 WO x 1 E-8 x 1 E-7 x 5 E-6 x 4 Total: 12 SEAL Platoon O-3 x 1 O-2 x 2 E-7 x 1 E-6 x 5 E-5 x 8 Total: 17

Support Group (MSOSG) Provides task organized detachments to support MARSOC subordinate commands and other Joint SOF. Detachment West directly supports 1st MSOB with: Engineering Support, Intelligence, Communications, Motor Transportation, Maintenance, and Supply. MSOSG is composed of 4 subordinate units: HQ Company Logistics Company Support Company Intel Battalion The Marine Special Operations Support Group (MSOSG) provides scalable and deployable support capabilities for worldwide Special Operations missions. Headquartered in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina the MSOSG includes a tailored subordinate support detachment, located at Camp Pendleton, California. The MSOSG contains three subordinate elements: a logistics company, a support company, and an intelligence battalion. The logistics company provides support across MARSOC with vehicle, weapon, communication and optic maintenance, utility engineering functions, motor transportation, medical, supply, and contracting. The support company provides communication assets, combined arms planning and coordination, and has a limited multi-purpose canine support service. The Intelligence Battalion includes all-source intelligence fusion capabilities to include counterintelligence, signals intelligence, human intelligence, technical surveillance countermeasures, and computer network operations.

School (MSOS) Recruit, Screen, Assess, and Select (RSAS) Marines and Sailors. Trains and certifies MARSOF to SOF Standards. Individual Training Course Raven Series Exercises Advanced Skill Courses Develops and standardizes doctrine and TTPs. Primary link for training and education to Marine Corps and service component SOF schools. The Marine Special Operations School (MSOS) is the training and education arm of MARSOC and acts as the conduit between MARSOC, USSOCOM, the SOF component schools, and the Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM). Headquartered in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, MSOS educates, trains, and certifies all MARSOF to be fully interoperable with all other forces within USSOCOM. MSOS is also responsible for exercise control groups and they develop and standardize doctrine and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). MSOS’s primary function is to recruit, screen, assess, select, and provide SOF-related individual training to designated Marines and Sailors for duty with MARSOC. MARSOC draws from across the spectrum of military occupational specialties (MOSs) within the active duty Marine Forces, but currently focuses primarily on combat arms and selected combat support specialties. MSOS supervises the final selection of uniquely qualified candidates to ensure MARSOC has the right Marines and Sailors for operations conducted with minimal oversight, and the mental and physical capabilities to operate in austere environments and adverse conditions while continuing to make sound decisions. As a result of this responsibility, MARSOC has established a seven month Individual Training Course (ITC) for operators.

Critical Skills Operator Training Well Trained, Mature Marines Assessment & Selection Prep Course Screen Recruit Assessment & Selection Select Advanced Language Training Individual Training Course This diagram illustrates a pipeline of training for the Marine operator, called a Critical Skills Operator (CSO). This process of screening, assessing, selecting, and training is on average an 18-month investment. Following the chart in a clockwise fashion we see that CSOs are well-trained and mature Marines recruited from the Operating Forces of the Marine Corps. Operators are not selected directly out of initial Marine Corps training, nor are they directly recruited from the civilian population. A Marine is recruited, screened, assessed, and selected, than attends the Individual Training Course (ITC), designed to provide all of the training required in a basic level trained Marine Special Operator. Marines are designated specific Subject Matter Expert (SME) tracks and receive their initial specialty training at Camp Lejeune or Fort Bragg, NC, before joining their units in the Operating Forces of MARSOC. MARSOC conducts the MARSOC Field Intelligence Course and the MARSOC Network Operations Course at MSOS, while collaborating with USASOC for the Weapons (18B); Engineer (18C); Med Course (18D) at Fort Bragg. Marines with a propensity for learning languages are selected to attend the Advanced Linguistics Course (ALC), and all Marines will continue with other advanced specialty skills throughout their careers. Personnel will go from the operating forces to these schools as required for career progression and growth of specialty skills at the company and team levels. Advanced/ Specialty Skills Courses Subject Matter Expert Tracks Operating Forces 21

Assessment & Selection Marine Special Operations School conducts an A&S to determine qualified candidates for Marine Special Operations Teams (MSOT). Assessment and Selection (A&S) is a formal process designed to identify Marines and Sailors who have particular attributes best suited for special operations. This process highlights those with a propensity for making sound decisions with minimal guidance in austere and adverse conditions. The MARSOC A&S program is 19 days long and consists of three phases. Four of these 19 days account for screening verification to ensure the Marine is in compliance with screening prerequisites, is medically suitable to partake in the assessment, and possesses mental suitability for special operations. 11 days account for the assessment phase, and two days account for in-depth psychological interviews, and two days for a selection board and administrative processing. Those that are selected by the board return to their units and await orders to attend the next available individual training course (ITC).

Individual Training Course (ITC) Phase I centered on individual skills and small-unit tactics Phase II & III focus on special reconnaissance and precision raids Phase IV focus on skills and mission sets of irregular warfare / counter insurgency The Individual Training Course is a physically and mentally challenging seven month course designed to provide MARSOC critical skills operators with a basic foundation of essential Special Operations skills. The institutional approach at ITC is to develop capable critical skills operators by process of instruction, practice, and evaluation. Skills are continually reinforced by requiring students to apply them under increasingly adverse conditions. The course is four phases: Phase I: Basic field skills and SOCOM pre-deployment requirements to include individual and small unit movement and tactics. Phase 2: Building block from the previous phase incorporates mission planning and special reconnaissance training, combat marksmanship, amphibious operations, weapons, demolitions, and additional small unit tactics. Phase 3: Additional training in communications, reconnaissance, and raids. Multiple operations during this phase employ reconnaissance and raid skills in rural and urban environments. Phase 4: The final phase expands instruction to include irregular warfare operations. The phase culminates in an exercise called Operation Derna Bridge. During Operations Derna Bridge the critical skills operators will employ all of the skills learned throughout the course while training, advising, and operating with a partner nation/ irregular force. Marine enlisted Critical Skills Operators receive the new Primary Military Occupational Specialty of 0372, and Marine officers receive an additional military occupational skill identifier of 0370.

Advanced Skills Courses Close Quarters Battle Leader Breacher Advanced Sniper Tactical Acquisition Exploitation (SR level II) Hostile Forces Tagging Tracking Locating (HFTTL) Helicopter Rope Suspension Training Advanced EOD Joint Tactical Attack Controller (JTAC) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operator Advance Special Operations (ASO) Level II Full Spectrum Level “C” SERE Advanced Linguist Course The Marine Special Operations School also conducts a number of advance skill courses, some of which are displayed here. The current operating environment has highlighted the necessity for enhanced language capabilities and cultural competency. MARSOC Marines are required to undergo continual language training; select Marines, based on ability, are given further intensive language training at the Advanced Linguist Course (ALC). ALC produces 2+/2+ proficiency speakers in eight different languages (French, Tagalog, Arabic, Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesian, Pashtu, Urdu, and Dari) that correlate to operational focus areas. These language skills in conjunction with cultural skills enable teams to achieve impacts beyond the tactical level.

Combat Support Enabler Training Pipeline Recruit and Screen Special Operations Training Course (STC) MOS Enhancement Courses Advanced Language Training Well Trained, Mature Marines Intel Comm EOD JTAC MPC Just as Critical Skills Operators require a baseline foundation of training to excel in Special Operations, the Combat Support Enablers must have basic and intermediate warfighting skills needed for SOF employment. Support enablers are screened and selected for assignment to MARSOC, and rather than attending the Individual Training Course, are provided with the Special Operations Training Course (STC). STC is a two month course that prepares combat support and combat service support personnel for operating in a SOF environment with instruction in such as areas as communications, close air support/call for fire (CAS/CFF), foreign weapons, marksmanship, machine gunnery, tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), land navigation, patrolling, military operations in urban terrain (MOUT), convoy operations, and Improvised Explosive Device defeat. Following STC, specialty tracks build on Marine Corps MOS structure to enhance specific skills for Marines in intelligence, communications, explosive ordnance disposal, joint terminal air control (JTAC), and multi-purpose canine fields. A secondary MOS of 8071 is assigned to these combat support enablers in order to track their assignments and career progressions. Select combat support enablers will be provided the opportunity to attend advanced language training courses once they are assigned to the Marine Special Operations Support Group, MSOSG. Operating Forces

Conclusion MARSOC Commanded by a Major General Organized into a Marine Special Operations Regiment, Support Group and School. Activated in 2006 This concludes the lesson on Marine Special Operations Forces. In summary; The United States Marine Corps Special Operations Forces are assigned to the Marine Special Operations Command, headquartered at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Activated is February 2006, MARSOC is the youngest of the SOF service component commands. MARSOC is commanded by a major general and is organized into a Marine Special Operations Regiment, Marine Special Operations Support Group, and a Marine Special Operations School. MARSOC’s primary core activities are special reconnaissance (SR), direct action (DA), foreign internal defense (FID), and counterterrorism (CT). Before moving to the next lesson you will need to complete the learning check on the primary lesson page. Camp Lejeune Special Reconnaissance (SR) Direct Action (DA) Foreign Internal Defense (FID) Counter-terrorism (CT)