U.S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance

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If you were looking for information pertaining to Marine Recon Battalions, there is not an article on them on Wikipedia as of yet. 'Force Recon', discussed here, is a different unit.

United States Marine Corps (USMC) Force Reconnaissance (Force Recon) can be considered to be the USMC equivalent of units such as the Navy SEALs or U.S. Army Special Forces (though their missions do differ by some margin). Although they are not under the wing of U.S. Special Operations Command, their training and deployment agenda may appear to suggest otherwise (Though some Force Recon Marines have been assigned to a special unit, 'MAR DET 1', in an attempt to start integration with USSOCOM). Marine Force Recon operators perform highly specialized, small scale, high-risk operations, such as:

• Amphibious and deep ground surveillance.
• Assist in specialized technical missions {Weapons of mass destruction(NBC), Radio, sensors and beacons, etc.}
• Assist in ordnance delivery (i.e., designating targets for laser-guided bomb units, ground artillery and naval artillery).
• Conduct 'limited scale raids,' including gas and oil platform (GOPLATS) raids, Military Interdiction Operations (MIOs) and the capture of specific personnel or sensitve materials.
• Hostage/Prisoner of war rescue

Marine Force Recon detachments operate within Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) {MEU(SOC)}. They are not to be confused with Marine Reconnaissance, as Force operators are much more experienced in deep recon and are at times assigned duties other than reconnaissance (which are not assigned to Recon Marines).

History and Organization

History

Marine Corp Force Reconnaissance was first conceived in 1954, at Marine Base Camp Pendleton, outside of San Diego, California, when an experimental recon team was formed. Three years later, that team merged with an existing amphibious reconnaissance company to form the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company.

In 1958, half the Marines in 1st Force were removed from the Company and hauled over to the Eastern seaboard, forming the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company. 1st Force supplemented Fleet Marine Force Pacific (FMFPac), while 2nd, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic (FMFLant).

Force Reconnaissance received their baptism of fire during the Vietnam War, arriving first in 1965 and staying for five years. Forty-four Marines of 1st Force were killed or missing in action through the course of the war.

After US withdrawal from Vietnam, 1st Force and 2nd Force were both deactivated in 1974, and the existing Force Marines were rolled into the non-Force 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion in order to maintain Marine Corps deep recon capabilities. However, the roll-in was never completed to a satisfactory condition, and 1st Force Reconnaissance was reactivated as an individual unit in 1986, and was later deployed in the Gulf War.

Many Force Recon Companies are in existence today, and have been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organization

In order to understand Marine Force Reconnaissance unit organization, Marine unit orgnization in general should be explained first.

The United States Marine Corps is divided into two zones of operation: Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) and Marine Forces Atlantic (MARFORLANT) and three Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs): MEF I WestPac (MARFORPAC), based on the West Coast; MEF II MedFloat (MARFORLANT), based on the East Coast and MEF III (MARFORPAC), based in Japan. Each MEF consists of a Marine Division, a Marine Air Wing, and a Support Group. Forward deployed Marines make up a smaller unit, known as the Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable {MEU(SOC)}, made up of no more than 2,500 men. Much like the MEFs, MEU(SOC)s are composed of an infantry element, the Battalion Landing Teams (BLT) (which includes the non-Force Division Reconnaissance), an air element, the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadrons with a control detachment, and a support element, the MEU Service Support Groups (MSSG). Tying these three elements together is the Command Element (CE). Force Reconnaissance platoons are attached to and are a part of the Command Element, and their position in the MEU(SOC) is not tied to the Battalion Landing Team.

There are currently seven MEU(SOC)s in the Corp. In MEF I WestPac, there are three MEUs: the 11th, 13th and 15th. They responsible for the Middle-East and the Persian Gulf region. In MEF II MedFloat, there are also three MEUs: the 22nd, 24th and 26th. They focus on countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The last MEF, MEF III, has only one MEU(SOC), based in Okinawa, Japan: the 31st MEU.

MEU(SOC)s are deployed onboard Amphibious Ready Groups, a group of several ships usually centered upon a amphibious assault helicopter carrier (designations for these ships range between LHA, LPH, LHD), . As many as three such groups, each carrying its own MEU(SOC), can be deployed around the world at any given time. Because of this constant mobility, a MEU(SOC) can reach any shore in the world within six hours of an order being given.

As of 2004, there are currently four active Marine Force Reconnaissance companies: 1st Force Reconnaissance, based at Camp Pendleton, CA; 2nd Force Reconnaissance, based at Camp Lejeune, NC; 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, based in Mobile, AL and 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, based in Honolulu, HI. 5th Force Reconnaissance was folded into non-Force 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion as Deep Reconnaissance Company, and is based with 31st MEU(SOC) at Okinawa.

As for unit structure, Force Recon companies operates more like a battalion. Taking 1st Force as an example, there is a Commanding Officer (CO, Lt. Col.), Executive Officer (XO, Major) and a Sergeant Major. Other components include S1, S2, S3, S4 and S6 (Administrative, Intelligence, Operations, Logistics, Communications). Beyond that, the Company is divided into six operational platoons, each with a Platoon Commander (Captain) and a Platoon NCO (Sergeant, E-6 SSgt or higher). One of these platoons is a scout/sniper unit retained from the MEU BLT. Navy medical corpsmen are also active in Force Recon units, endure the exact same training as Force Recon members and are very much respected by the Force Marines.

Tools of the Trade

General Equipment

Though much of the basic equipment Force Marines use are also standard issue for other branches of the armed service, they do utilize a variety of equipment not in use by comparable Army or Navy units (partly due to the relatively low amount of funding Force Recon, and in fact, all of the USMC, receives when compared to the Army and Navy; this is quite understandable). Some unique weapons and equipment include:

The Full Spectrum Battle Equipment Amphibious Assault Vest, Quick-Release (FSBE AAV QR)

The FSBE vest in U.S. Woodland Camouflage

A lightweight assault vest system that incorporates protection (in the form of soft armor coupled with hard ballistic inserts) with cargo retention capabilities (in the form of various pouches and pockets attached via U.S. standard MOLLE stitching). The entire FSBE kit includes the vest body, a throat protector, a groin protector and an assortment of load bearing pouches (see photo at left). A fully loaded vest with armor plates can prove quite heavy, and is only used in high-risk DA (direct action) missions. This vest is unique in its quick release system, where the Marine can ditch the entire vest very quickly in case of emergency. This quick release (ditch) feature (now also used on newer modular plate carriers such as the Paraclete Releasable Assault Vest) was developed in response to a 1999 CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crash over the Atlantic, where several Force Recon Marines drowned because they could not eject their heavy armor in time to swim away freely (so instead, their gear dragged them down with the sinking helicopter). The FSBE and FSBE II vests are manufactured by both Specialty Defense Systems (US) and Point Blank Armor (US), but Recon operators purchase additional modular load bearing pouches from a number of manufacturers. This vest replaced the older CQB-EAV assault vests used throughout the nineties by Marine Force Recon. This kit is available to civilians, with prices for the FSBE vest body starting at $500 USD. This price does not include load bearing pouches or hard ballistic armor inserts.

The Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH)

A lightweight ballistic helmet that incorporates excellent ballistic protection with the ability to interface with most tactical communications headsets and microphones utilized by high-speed units, replacing the bulky standard issue PASGT "K-pot." This helmet is now in use with other highly-mobile units such as the Army 75th Ranger Regiment and various Special Forces operators, and is available in three design varieties. This helmet manufactured by MSA Gallet (France). This helmet is also available to civilian consumers for around $450 USD per helmet. Two versions of the MICH, the 2000 and 2002 models are preferred, difference being that the 2002 has earlobes that extend about half the distance that the 2000-series MICH earlobes.

The MEU(SOC) Pistol

Marine using a MEU(SOC) .45 in Iraq

Seeing the limits of the standard issue M9 9mm pistol (considered by many to be too large to hold comfortably and lacking in stopping power), Force Recon uses a modified and improved M1911A1 .45 pistol, originally used in World War I and only dumped in favor of the 9mm M9 due to logistic concerns (the US had a quality .45 pistol, but the rest of NATO used 9mm ammunition). The pistol is constructed by highly skilled gunsmiths at the USMC Armory in Quantico, Virginia, and are made from original service M1911 frames dating back to the 1940s. MEU(SOC) pistols use a variety of parts from different high-end manufacturers (they are all hand-built and maintained; no two MEU(SOC) .45s are exactly the same) and are some of the most reliable pistols in the world. When a pistol malfunctions due to wear and is irreparable without special equipment or parts (though this occurs, it occurs rarely: even though Marines put many rounds through their pistols, they also clean and maintain them on a very regular basis), the pistol is sent back to Quantico for repairs. Repairs include changing slides and various parts, but the frames are never changed, as the U.S. government no longer produces them (many of the frames have gone through hundreds of thousands of rounds). Most U.S. Special Forces Operators also prefer the M1911 as their sidearm.

Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV)

These are deployed and used by Force Recon. Force Recon used to operate a fleet of Chenowith Fast Attack Vehicles (FAV), popularized by the Navy SEALs as the 'black dune buggy.' However, this vehicle lacked cargo capacity and firepower, so Force Recon moved to a militarized Mercedes-Benz G-Class (Geländewagen) 290 GDT diesel 4x4, a much more traditional 'Jeep' type truck. The IFAV is considered "an alternative to walking," though it has numerous defensive weapons, including a Mk 19 automatic 40mm grenade launcher. This vehicle is manufactured by MAGNA STEYR (Austria) for Mercedes-Benz (Germany).

Other Gear

Along with these unique pieces of equipment, the Marines also use more common weapons, such as the non-SOCOM M4 Carbine (fires three-round bursts instead of full auto, as Force Recon is not under U.S. Special Operations command), the M203 grenade launcher, individual parts of the SOPMOD M4 kit, the M40 sniper rifle and the Marine-specific M14 Designated Marksmen Rifle (DMR), along with the M82A3 SASR .50 anti-material weapon. Machine guns include the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), the M240 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and the M2HB .50 heavy machine gun.

Mission-Specific Details and Gear

Here are some common mission gear setups for Force Recon Marines.

Greenside Operations

The term 'Greenside Operations' refers to operations that do not necessarily require direct force-on-force contact, or is not an open assault or breach. In terms of Force Reconnaissance, this almost always means deep recon patrols. Force Recon Marines operated in six-man teams, and rely on stealth, evasion and training to survive, as they are usually too far ahead of the main force to expect artillery support or quick helicopter extractions. Generally, an operator's kit would include:

• A 'boonie' hat, more recognizable to the general public as a fisherman's hat in camouflage pattern.

• Battle Dress Uniforms, standard camouflage. Force Recon has also been receiving new digitally camouflaged BDUs in both woodland and desert patterns.

• A load bearing vest (LBV), a vest with many pouches for carrying ammunition and supplies. This could either be the current standard issue second generation US Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) Fighting Load Carrier vest (FLC), the late 1980s to early 1990s US Integrated Individual Fighting System (IIFS) non-modular load bearing vest (LBV-88) (the latter of which is actually more popular, since the current issue MOLLE is considered not durable enough for prolonged use by many Marines), or an operator-bought 3rd-party LBV.

• A rucksack, a huge backpack for carrying items that need not be often accessed. Marines prefer the seventies-era All Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) packs over the unreliable modern MOLLE packs, but operators do buy 3rd-party packs which surpass both aforementioned government issue products in durability.

• Rations, toiletries, fuel, water, ammunition, etc.

• Primary weapon depends on the Marine's role in the squad. It can range from carbines (M4) to rifles (M16, M14) to squad automatics (M249 SAW).

• A sidearm may be carried, but usually not in a tactical thigh-mounted configuration.

• Boots.

Armor (bulletproof vests such as FSBE vests and ballistic helmets) is usually not worn on greenside operations as they are too bulky, trap heat, and generate noise upon movement. Force Recon operators shown wearing armor and helmets in photos when apparently on greenside operations are actually in training, where the armor and helmet are a safety requirement.

Blackside Operations

Blackside, or Direct Action (DA) operations include Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel (TRAP), Gas/Oil Platform (GOPLAT) raids, Vessel/Board/Search/Seizures (VBSS) and other missions involving close quarter battle. Just recently, In-Extremis Hostage Rescue (IHR) was also assigned to Force units to a slight degree in order to supplement the roles of USSOCOM CAG and DEVGRU with a more forward deployed unit.

During blackside ops, a Platoon acts as one and brings along special operators as per mission specifications (i.e., explosive ordnance disposal personnel, electronic warfare specialists, etc.). Force Marines can be inserted into the combat zone in a variety of ways: on land, using the IFAV, by sea, and by air {High Altitude High Opening (HAHO), High Altitude Low Opening (HALO), helicopter fast rope, etc.} A common operational kit includes:

• The MICH Helmet and a hands-free communications headset (Usually a TELEX Stinger 700) and tactical goggles. A NOMEX balaclava (a hood with a large opening for the eyes). NOMEX is a fire-retardant fabric developed post-Korean War for use by aircraft pilots. It has since found uses in other missions.

• NOMEX Flightsuits and NOMEX aviator's gloves. These are usually sage-green in color, but there appears to be a khaki version as well for desert operations.

• FSBE vest with attached pouches for magazines, grenades, flashbangs, breaching charges, gas masks, medical supplies and communications equipment. Ballistic insert plates are used in this case.

• High-tensile nylon pistol belt or rigger's belt with suspenders, used to attached more pouches or drop-leg devices. This may be worn like a traditional belt (mostly rigger's belts) to keep their trousers, or as a second belt, specifically for equipment.

• A thigh-mounted tactical holster (usually a Safariland 6004 holster) with the MEU(SOC) .45 sidearm, at times with an underframe flashlight installed. This sidearm is usually attached to the operator's belt via a retention lanyard.

• Another drop-belt thigh setup on the leg opposite the operator's handedness, either with a 'dump' pouch, for easily stowing spent magazines, or additional ammunition and munitions pouches.

• Tactical kneepads and elbow pads, for protection and operator comfort as he moves into various firing positions.

• Boots, or specialized hiking shoes (seen in Iraq).

• A relatively compact primary weapon. Marine Force Recon have been using the ubiquitous Heckler & Koch 9mm MP5 variants as their CQB weapon for some time, however, the introduction of the M4 Carbine many years ago has since supplanted the MP5's role as Force Recon CQB weapon of choice. M4s can be found configured with a variety of reflex sights and attachments for quicker target acquisition.

NOTE: As Special Operations forces continue to engage hostiles in the Mideast, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the 5.56x45mm (.223" Remington) ammunition used in the US general issue M16 and M4 series of rifles and carbines, while much more powerful than the 9x19mm Parabellum round used such submachinguns as the MP5, lacks stopping power at close ranges (In fact, an unnamed Army Special Forces operator in the mideast has said that he prefers his Mk 11 Mod 0 sniper rifle, a weapon almost a foot longer than an M4 carbine, over his M4 in CQB situations only because the 7.62x51mm cartridge that rifle fires can permanently neutralize enemies with one shot, something that cannot be said about the smaller M4 cartridges). Army brass has been receiving complaints from Special Forces operators that encounter close-quarter battles on a daily basis, but have been reluctant to issue new ammunition, as the said 5.56x45mm (.223" Remington) cartridge is sufficient for regular Army engagements at medium ranges (it is also the standard NATO cartridge, used by all NATO nations). Special Forces operators have, however, two alternatives that can be easily used in existing rifles: The Mk 262 Mod 1 5.56x45mm cartridge, which uses a heavier 77-grain bullet, and the more recent Remington 6.8x43mm (.270") Special Purpose Carbine (SPC) cartridge, which fires an even larger 110-grain bullet (both options require some modifications to the weapons, and neither options is readily available in large quantities). These operators have no quells trading single-magazine ammunition capacity for some much needed stopping power.

• A back-worn quiver for a breaching shotgun, either a Remington 870, a Mossberg 500, or a Benelli M1014.

The owner of Eagle Industries (http://www.eagleindustries.com/), a manufacturer of high-quality military personal and load-bearing gear, is apparently very close with the Force Recon community, and many Eagle Industries items can be seen in use with Force Recon units.

Photos

A Force Recon operator in CQB gear. Using an M4 carbine with RAS and wearing both MICH and FSBE. 'Telephone Cord' lanyard can be see on right side, assumingly attached to a MEU(SOC) .45 holstered on the right thigh. Large green pack on his back is a CamelBak hydration reservoir and tube, for quick drinks in the heat of battle. Force Recon operators in patrol gear. Forward man carrying an M4 with an M203 grenade launcher attached and utilizing Vietnam-era LBE ALICE gear. Man behind to the right carrying an M4 and using current issue MOLLE gear. Note short-brim boonie 'fisherman's' covers. Marines from BLT Scout/Snipers Pltn. attachment to 1st Force Recon Company. Sniper is using a USMC M40A3 rifle with Unertl telescope. Spotter utilizing a Leupold or Unertl spotting scope.

Force Recon Marines load IFAVs into C-130 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. M240 Vehicle-Mounted GPMG with ELCAN sight in foreground. More Force Recon Marines in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two Force Recon Marines laying prone. Both are outfitted for Greenside operations, and both are utilizing the CamelBak MULE Hydration Carrier/Backpack. Both Marines are using similar weapons: 14.5" barrel A2 carbines outfitted with M203 grenade launchers. Man in foreground also seems to have a SureFire Turbohead-type weaponlight mounted on his weapon's A-Frame front sight at the one o'clock position. It is very rare to see Marines carrying weapons so new and unblemished with wear.

Final Words

Though Marine Force Recon is not as widely known as Navy SEALs or Delta Force, they are undoubtedly just as well trained as any elite military unit (they receive training in combat diving, advanced parachute HAHO/HALO, long range and desert patrol, explosive breaching and close quarter battle, extensive oil platform and ship boarding training along with training in MOUT operations).

External Links

• Force Recon Organization (http://www.forcerecon.org/)
• Force Recon Association (http://www.forcerecon.com/)
• 3rd Force Reconnaissance Co. (http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/3dForceRecon/)
• 4th Force Reconnaissance Co. (http://www.marforres.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/4thForceRecon/)
• SpecialOperations.com Marine Recon Page (http://www.specialoperations.com/USMC/Recon/Default.html)
• Marine 3rd Recon Bn., 31st MEU(SOC) (http://www.3rdrecon.org/rechis.htm)
• Recon Marines (http://www.reconmarine.com/index.html)
• Global Security USMC Unit Listings (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/index.html)
• SpecWarNet: USMC Recon Battalions (http://www.specwarnet.net/americas/recon.htm)

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