USMC STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION MIDN 4/C Nelson MIDN 4/C Cox

OUTLINE MISSION DEFINITION BASIC STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION USMC MISSION COMPETENCIES CONCLUSION

MISSION DEFINITION The seven-part Mission of the Marines is defined by the National Security Act of 1947, amended in 1952. Provide fleet Marine forces with combined arms and supporting air component for service with the United States Fleet in the seizure or defense of advanced Naval bases. Provide detachments and organizations for service on armed vessels of the Navy for the protection of naval property at naval stations and bases. Develop, in coordination with the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the doctrine, tactics techniques, and equipment employed by landing forces in amphibious operations.

MISSION DEFINITION Provide Marine forces for operations, in coordination with the Army, Navy, Air Force, according to the doctrine established by the Joint Chiefs of staff. Develop, in coordination with the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the doctrine, procedures, and equipment for operations. Expand peacetime components to meet wartime needs. Perform such other duties as the President may direct.

Marine Corps Leadership Marine Corps Leadership: The Marine Corps is commanded by the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) Gen. Joseph Dunford. He is assisted in his duties by the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC) Sgt Major Michael Barrett. They serve a four-year term of duty by the direction of the President.

Basic Structure and Organization Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF): The MAGTF is the basic structure of deployed Marines and can operate across a full spectrum of conflicts, including amphibious operations. They are structured by the specific situation/mission. Regardless of its size, a MAGTF is always comprised of four elements:

Basic Structure and Organization Ground Combat Element (GCE): Infantry (battalion, regiment, or division) augmented with tank, artillery, combat engineers and reconnaissance assets. Air Combat Element (ACE): Contains aircraft to support the tactical situation. Tactical helicopters with fixed wing assets for close air support

Basic Structure and Organization Combat Service Support Element (CSSE): Provides all necessary logistical support to the MAGTF including: Transportation, Engineering, Embarkation, Medical/Dental, and Headquarters and Service. Command Element (CE): Coordinates the subordinate elements of MAGTF in the planning and execution of the mission

Basic Structure and Organization The Marine Corps' minimum peacetime structure shall consist of not less than three combat divisions, three aircraft wings, and such other combat, aviation, and other land services as may be organic, therein. The Marine Corps will also maintain a fourth division and air wing in the reserve. The operating forces of the Marine Corps are currently organized into: (1) Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM) with headquarters in Norfolk, VA (2) Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) with headquarters in Camp Smith, HI (3) Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) with headquarters in Camp Lejeune, NC.

Basic Structure and Organization Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF): The MEF is the principle war fighting element in the active force structure of the Marine Corps and is usually commanded by a Lieutenant General. Each MEF has one to three Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU) assigned to it that deploy throughout the globe. Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB): A MEB, usually led by a brigadier general, is built around a reinforced infantry regiment, an aircraft group, and a Service Support Group. Capable of rapid deployment and employment via amphibious or airlift methods, it is the first echelon of a Marine Expeditionary Force.

Basic Structure and Organization Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU): The smallest task force unit, the MEU has approximately 2,200 personnel and is built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite aircraft squadron and a support group. It is commanded by a colonel and is routinely deployed with an Amphibious Ready Group. The ground element of a MEU is a Battalion Landing Team (BLT), comprised of a reinforced infantry battalion of approximately 1,200 Marines, including three Rifle Companies.

Basic Structure and Organization Marine Division: There are three Marine divisions in the active force and one in the reserve. It is the largest Marine ground combat organization of a MEF and is usually commanded by a major-general. Marine Air Wing (MAW): The largest Marine aviation organization of the MEF, each MAW has a unique organizational structure and is commanded by a brigadier general.

Basic Structure and Organization Marine Aircraft Group (MAG): Similar to an Air Force Wing and commanded by a colonel, a MAG is the smallest aviation unit that is designed for independent operations. Marine Logistics Group (MLG): Formerly called Force Service Support Group, the MLG provides responsive, quality logistics support to a MEF, other Marine, joint, and combined forces and federal agencies, as directed, through expeditionary means, forward basing, and global sourcing.

Basic Structure and Organization   CO Personnel and Ships Self-Sustain-ability Ground Combat Element (GCE) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) Combat Service Support Element (CSSE) Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Col 1,500-3,000 2-4 amphibious ships 15 days Battalion Landing Team (BLT) Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron augmented to a composite helicopter squadron MEU Service Support Group (MSSG) – formed from a Marine Logistics Group (MLG) Brigade (MEB) BGen 7,000- 12,000; up to 25 amphibious 30 days Regimental (RLT) Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) - multiple squadrons of rotary wing aircraft Brigade Service Support Group (BSSG)–formed from the Marine Logistics Group (MLG) Force (MEF) LtGen 30,000- 40,000 60 days Division Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) - will contain all types of aircraft Marine Logisitics Group - established at sea and ashore

USMC MISSION COMPETENCIES MAGTF operations are built upon a foundation of five special core competencies. Core competencies are developed from inherent Marine missions, such as expeditionary amphibious operations, and drive Marines to develop specific sets of skills while executing special roles and missions. Warfighting Culture and Dynamic Decision Making. Expeditionary Forward Operations Sustainable and Interoperable Littoral Power Projection Combined Arms Integration Forcible Entry from sea.

USMC MISSION COMPETENCIES Warfighting Culture and Dynamic Decision-making: Marines focus of the force of human resolve and utilize technology to leverage the chaos and complexity of the battlefield. From early on, Marines are installed with a determination to accomplish the mission. Expeditionary Forward Operations: Marines are continuously deployed around the world near potential trouble spots where they can deter aggression, respond quickly, and resolved crisis whenever called. The naval character and strategically mobile presence enhance cultural and situational awareness of potential operating areas.

USMC MISSION COMPETENCIES Sustainable and Interoperable Littoral Power Projection: Today’s scalable MAGTFs can assess the world’s regions on short notice, responding quickly with a force tailored to the mission at hand. Their partnership with the Navy provides significant organic sustainment capabilities from the sea and reduces a theater commander’s requirement to dedicate lift asset to early entry forces. Combined Armed Integration: Marines pioneered development of concepts such close air support and vertical envelopment. MAGTFs constantly blend the art and science of commanding, controlling, training, and executing combined arms operations from air, land, seas, and space. Marines understand the logic and synergy of joint and multinational forces under the ‘Single Battle’ concept.

USMC MISSION COMPETENCIES Forcible Entry from the Sea: Together, the Navy and Marines provide the Nation with its primary capability to rapidly project and sustain combat power ashore in the face of armed opposition. MEFs, reinforced by maritime prepositioned assets when required, allow the US to protect its worldwide interests, reassure allies, and fortify other elements of national power.

Conclusion Mission USMC Leadership Marine Air-Ground Task Force Basic Structure and Organization Chart USMC Mission Competencies

MIDN 4/C Nelson MIDN 4/C Cox QUESTIONS MIDN 4/C Nelson MIDN 4/C Cox