that provide deep ground and amphibious reconnaissance, surveillance, and limited-scale raids. They primarily support the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and other Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTF). Although FORECON companies are conventional forces they share many of the same tactics, techniques, procedures and equipment of special operations forces. Though commonly misunderstood to refer to reconnaissance-in-force, the name "Force Recon" actually refers to the unit's relationship with the Marine Expeditionary Force or Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Reconnaissance vs. Direct Action

Two mission sets emerged during the Vietnam War: Key Hole (deep reconnaissance) and Sting Ray (direct action). Key Hole patrols were designed purely around reconnaissance and surveillance. Usually lightly equipped and armed with defensive weapons, they employ evasive techniques to break away from the enemy should the need arise; avoiding enemy contact is paramount. Conversely, Sting Ray operations had goals more closely aligned with offensive strikes. In a Sting Ray operation, the FORECON operators were heavily armed and use artillery and/or naval gunfire support, if available. However, what began as a "keyhole" patrol could become a "stingray" patrol with little warning. The versatility of FORECON is demonstrated through switching between deep reconnaissance patrols to direct action engagements in certain situations.

Green operations

thumb|300px|A four-man [[fireteam of Marines simulates infiltrating a beachhead to gain information about the enemy and the adjacent beaches to help forecast a ship-to-shore landing operation — an example of green operations]]

Green operations are the principal mission of Force Recon to collect any pertinent intelligence of military importance, observe, identify, and report adversaries to MAGTF commanders. Their reconnaissance missions include preliminary (or "pre–D-Day") and post-assault reconnaissance. Some examples are:

  • Battle damage assessment (BDA) missions – Witnessing and reporting damage to targets, either from heavy support fire measures (artillery and naval gunfire), air strikes, or thermonuclear weapons.
  • Remote sensors operations – Placing remote sensors and beacons is vital for marking friendly/hostile boundaries and areas for helicopter assault and infantry transport.
  • Initial terminal guidance (ITG)–setting up/preparing landing zones (LZ) and drop zones (DZ) for forward operating sites, Marine fixed or rotary-wing aircraft, or waterborne locations (landing force, ship-to-shore).

Black operations

thumb|right|A team of operators from a direct action platoon (DAP) conducts 'Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure' (VBSS) training during a Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) exercise — an example of black operations

Black operations are the missions that require direct action (DA).

Organization

In the past, early Force Reconnaissance companies initially were designed to function under the echelon of the Navy/Marine force commanders (e.g. under the direct operational control of the Commander, Amphibious Task Force (CATF) and Landing Force (CLF), and Fleet Marine Force) during amphibious landing operations or expeditionary engagements—to provide timely intelligence without exhausting their reconnaissance assets from the Marine Division without hampering their valuable support to its infantry regiments.

Due to these changes, FORECON has been detached and reported to multiple commanders of Marine divisions, the Command Elements (CE) of the Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, and the immediate commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). They were re-organized or reserved for "special reconnaissance" assignments that would otherwise help shape the outcome of his battlefield. On August 11 2006, 2nd FORECON was deactivated with the majority of its personnel transferred to MARSOC to establish 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion (2nd MSOB) with two platoons reassigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion to establish D Company. Two months later in October, 1st FORECON met the same fate, with the majority of its personnel transferred to establish 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion (1st MSOB) with two platoons reassigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion to establish D Company. The D companies in the Division Reconnaissance Battalions were designed to maintain and preserve a "deep reconnaissance" asset for the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). In 2007, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion deactivated its D Company. The companies were placed under the operational command of the MEF and under the administrative control of the Division Reconnaissance Battalion. In December 2008, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion activated its Force Reconnaissance Company. From 2013 to 2023, MEU(SOC) were defunct, including the integral MSPF. A MEU had a Maritime Raid Force (MRF), the successor of the MSPF built around a FORECON detachment. In July 2023, II Marine Expeditionary Force certified the first MEU(SOC) in over decade, including an MSPF.

In February 2021, 4th Force Reconnaissance Company was deactivated and consolidated into the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion.

Table of organization (T/O)

Each Force Reconnaissance company is basically the same; they all contain a command element and Force Recon platoons. Each company is commanded by a company commander and his executive officer.

{|class="wikitable"

|-

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <small>Commanding officer (CO)<br/>Executive officer (XO)</small>

|-

| Command Element

  • (S-1) Administration
  • (S-2) Intelligence
  • (S-3) Operations
  • (S-4) Logistics
  • (S-6) Communications

|| Headquarters and Service (H&S) Platoon<br/>1st Platoon (DAP)<br/>2nd Platoon (DAP)<br/>3rd Platoon (DRP)<br/>4th Platoon (DRP)<br/>5th Platoon (SSP)

|}

Active

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|-

! Emblem !! Name !! Parent division/Battalion !! Location

|-

| rowspan="3"| center|150px

| rowspan="3"| Force Reconnaissance Company

| <div class="center">50px 1st Reconnaissance Battalion,<br/>45px 1st Marine Division </div>

| MCB Camp Pendleton, CA

|-

| <div class="center"> 50px 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion,<br/>40px 2nd Marine Division </div>

| MCB Camp Lejeune, NC

|-

| <div class="center"> 50px 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion,<br/>40px 3rd Marine Division </div>

| Camp Schwab, Okinawa

|-

| center|150px

| 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company

|style=text-align:center;"|50px 4th Marine Division (Reserve)<div class="center"> 45px Marine Forces Reserve </div>

| Mobile, Alabama

|-

|}

Deactivated

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! Logo !! Name !! Parent command !! Location

|-

| center|150px

| 1st Force Reconnaissance Company

| 45px I Marine Expeditionary Force

| MCB Camp Pendleton, CA

|-

| center|150px

| 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company

| 45px II Marine Expeditionary Force

| MCB Camp Lejeune, NC

|-

| center|150px

| 4th Force Reconnaissance Company

| 45px Marine Forces Reserve

| Alameda, CA

|-

| center|150px

| 5th Force Reconnaissance Company

| 45px III Marine Expeditionary Force

| MCB Camp Butler, Okinawa

|}

History

The historical roots of "Force Recon" companies can be traced back to the antecedent Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, whose numerous pre-D–Day reconnoitering of enemy beaches during the Pacific campaigns of World War II proved the vitality of the Fleet Marine Force's amphibious reconnaissance doctrine. This unique unit reported directly to the landing force commander, providing him important intelligence at his disposal.

Formed initially as a company-size element from the Observer Group, under the command of Major James L. Jones, they were among the first—along with the early Navy Combat Demolition Units (the predecessor to the Underwater Demolition Teams [i.e., the Navy SEALs])—to embark from submarines; most of their missions complemented those of the NCDU and the UDT. The "amphibious reconnaissance" doctrine clearly outlined that the recon Marines' duties consisted of scouting the littoral areas, or beachhead, and inland; to test the soil permeability for a possible beach landing; to clear any obstacles that may hinder an amphibious assault; and to observe any sign of enemy activity. The Navy UDT were tasked with providing the same, but from off the coastline to the littoral, or adjacent beach areas.

Jones and his Recon Marines scouted the Japanese-fortified beaches and observed the terrain, materials, or other entities, primarily reporting to the force commander any vital intelligence of mission-oriented importance. Although Jones's Marines were all skilled surface swimmers, they usually inserted by boats—mostly due to the multiple radios (primary and contingent) they carried, as relaying communication to the landing force commander was paramount, and as a timely means of sending in a platoon-sized element with heavy firepower (mortars, machine guns, etc.) at their disposal since they were greatly outnumbered and isolated from other major Marine forces, which were still embarked on the destroyer-transport ships.

By the end of World War II, the Amphibious Recon Battalion disbanded its command; its Marines either filled the ranks of other infantry platoons, or integrated into the Scout (Tank) companies, and the newly formed division reconnaissance companies. This force-level reconnaissance element was not re-established until the early 1950s, when the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalions were assembled for preliminary operations in Korea. Their efforts proved that gaining the knowledge of the enemy before a major operation was crucial to safeguarding the men, and provided better operational planning.

The Korean War introduced the new concept of using rotary-wing aircraft to the Marine Corps in combat employment for logistics and rapid troop transport. Also, the atomic age was emerging and caused concern among the military leaders. The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Lemuel Shepherd created a test unit, the Marine Corps Test Unit 1 (MCTU #1), to research and experiment on new and improved combat tactics and on methods to prepare the Marine Corps to operate strategically, in concert with or against, the use of nuclear weapons.

Many of the conceptual ideas for Force Recon were pioneered by Major Bruce F. Meyers, the test unit's "Reconnaissance/Pathfinder Project Officer" from MCTU #1's Plans and Development (P&D) Section. His position can be seen as an unillustrated subsidiary to an "operations" (G-6) and "training" (G-7) officer. Major Meyers tested various innovative techniques for the "Recon Platoon" and evaluated their results for use in parachuting and pathfinding missions, in addition to using its heliborne and aircraft wing assets to add 'deeper' reconnaissance penetration capabilities. This new-found capability gave reconnaissance Marines the advantage of operating further behind enemy lines.

MCTU#1's Reconnaissance Platoon, commanded by Captain Joseph Taylor, founded and adopted the more modern "force reconnaissance" doctrine, methods which were instrumented by Major Meyers. They were developing and performing innovative clandestine insertion methods before the Navy SEALs, and the Army's "Green Berets", such as the submarine locking -in and -out methods, and underwater "blow-and-go" ascents.

The USMC concluded that parachute reconnaissance and pathfinding capabilities would exist at force level, the Fleet Marine Force (the highest command echelon of the United States Marine Corps). At first, the concept was to be formed into a "Force Recon Battalion"—this battalion would have as many "force recon" companies as there were division-wing MAGTFs in the Marine operating forces. Recognizing the limited budget during the fiscal year of 1957, it was instead recommended that it be formed at company-sized elements for the West and East Coast. In addition, joint Force Recon and CIA operations go back to the famed Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) during the Vietnam War and still exist to this day.

Weapons Planning Group (Code 121)

The Reconnaissance/Surveillance Section of the Weapons Planning Group, Landing Force Development Center at Quantico introduced Force Recon to new technological methods of achieving their objective. Many of its tests and evaluations resembled the tests of MCTU #1. However, MCTU #1 were testing methods of inserting reconnaissance teams "deep" into the battlefield. The Weapons Planning Group (Code 121) provided the equipment that would become instrumental to recon Marines. Beacons for helicopter guidance, laser designators for the guidance of ordnance, laser rangefinders, and many more were tested.

During the Vietnam War, one of the reconnaissance officers of Code 121, then-Major Alex Lee, brought most of his testing experience to 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company when he was assigned as the commanding officer from 1969 to 1970. He formed Force Recon's missions that are still distinct today: remote sensor operations. The Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center (SRC), predecessor to the Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group (SRIG), was formed within the III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF). The obsolete pathfinding operations were taken over by the newer beacons and homing devices.

In 2010, a Force Reconnaissance team from the 24th MEU won the 2010 2nd Annual Warrior Competition against tactical units from all over the world.

Mission training plan

Training within the company is outlined by the mission training plan (MTP). It is used in conjunction with the training and exercises that are conducted by the Marine Expeditionary Units for their "Special Operations Capable" certification. It follows a systematic approach to training, and the emphasis is to "train as they expect to fight".

:"The best form of WELFARE for our Marines and sailors is first class training; this saves unnecessary casualties". —MTP quote by S-3 of FORECON companies.

  • High Risk Personnel (HRP) Course – MCB Quantico, Virginia
  • Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) – I MEF, Camp Pendleton; II MEF, Camp Lejeune; III MEF, Camp S.D. Butler

Special schools

During the "Individual Training Phase", the candidates are undergoing the accession pipeline to become qualified MOS 0321 (Reconnaissance Marine). After further training, the already-billeted Force Recon operators (who had already completed the required courses in the accession pipeline [BRC, parachutist and diving, and SERE/HRP courses]) attain MOS 0326 (Reconnaissance Marine, parachute and combatant diver qualified) and may continue to remain with FORECON after the three-year rotation cycle. They may be selected for additional advanced cross-service training from other schools provided by the Special Operations Forces (SOF) units. Although these specialized schools are not necessarily required, they are highly encouraged.

Many Marine Corps 'training liaisons' represent the Marines at many cross-services schools, to ensure training slots and openings are met and filled by the Marines that requested, or were recommended, for advanced training.

An additional and no less important advantage to the T-Cell is that it acts as a training ground for future platoon sergeants. Those assigned to the T-Cell are all highly trained and experienced operators. Some have deployed as platoon sergeants, and some have not. Experienced FORECON operators within T-Cell monitor, evaluate and improve the training to ensure that exercises meet real-world conditions.

Other training packages are available to mold the Marines into a fully functional Recon unit, including long range patrolling in desert areas, such as Twentynine Palms or MCAS Yuma, mountainous terrain and other environments relevant in peacetime or conflict. At the end of Phase 2 Training, the platoon is completely stood up in all aspects of the long-range reconnaissance mission. More importantly, they have spent 6 months of 'platoon-oriented' training together. The recon operators get the chance to train in unfamiliar urban areas and maritime structures. In addition to the SCUBA equipment used in amphibious mission-essential tasks, Force Recon maintains and operates parachutes. This is the main difference and separation from Division Reconnaissance—all FORECON operators are required to be parachutists. The parachutist equipment is stored in the Force Reconnaissance's Parachute Loft.

Parachute pack systems

The parachute is one of the trademarks of Force Recon, throughout its existence the operators have extensively used a wide variety of parachutes. In the mid-1950s, they used the T-10 parachute, then later adopting the Capewell canopy release which provided a cut-away to reduce the deadly effect of drag. The T-10 became the most frequented parachute; which had two variants, one for low-level static line (LLSL) and the other for military free fall (MFF) descends. They had numerous parachutes listed under the Table of Equipment (T/E) that had been contained in the Paraloft. Even in its formative days in the Marine Corps Test Unit#1, the operators and testers of the Naval Parachute Unit (NPU) at El Centro had tested and sported numerous parachutes, adding modifications and suggestions that soon were adopted by other parachutists. By the 1990s, the MC-4 and MC-5 ram air parachutes became the feasible choice, as it allows more detailed and accurate landing in smaller areas, easy to control—especially during oscillation of the canopy. Plus, it was formed to modulate between the LLSL and MFF without having to consort to a different pack.

These are parachutes that are still contained in the T/E of the Parachute Loft, however some may not be currently in use:

  • T-10
  • MC1-B
  • MC-series ram air parachutes (MC-4, MC-5)
  • Canopies (Main & Reserve): Surface area
  • Altitude range: AG> to ft MSL
  • Forward speed: 15–25&nbsp;mph
  • Rate of descent: 4–18&nbsp;ft/sec
  • Maximum Load:
  • Multi-Mission Parachute System (MMPS) [currently being implemented—replacing the older MC-5]

Parachutist individual equipment kit

The parachutist individual equipment kit (PIEK) contains all the Force Recon's parachutist clothing and equipment assigned by Force Recon's Paraloft. They are used for the high-altitude MFFs (HAHO or HALO) and LLSL parachute operations. Due to extreme cold encountered during high altitude parachute operations, the parachutist must have protection from the environment.

  • Gore-Tex jumpsuit
  • Polartec jumpsuit liner
  • Cotton ripstop jumpsuit
  • Flyer's gloves
  • Gore-Tex cold-weather gloves
  • Overboots
  • MA2-30 altimeter
  • Helmet
  • Flyer's helmet bag
  • Flyer's kitbag—used to carry operator's rucksack, ammunition, communications, etc.

Single-action release personal equipment lowering equipment (SARPELS)

The Force Recon operators are equipped with a complete equipment lowering system for both LLSL and MFF parachute operations. It allows them carry various configurations of all their individual mission-essential equipment, usually contained within their flyer's kitbag. The single-action release personal equipment lowering equipment (SARPELS) provides easy access to their weapons and equipment upon parachute landing and has a single-action release capability. It can be front or rear mounted, whichever is preferred. Once they have descended to about above the surface, they use the SARPEL to release their gear (weapons/kitbag), dropping it below them while still attached to their harness by a rope. It is used to minimize injuries in landing due to heavy load of equipment. The parachutists must maneuver themselves in order not to drop onto their gear during parachute landing falls.

  • SARPELS cargo carrier
  • Horizontal & vertical cargo carrier securing straps
  • Single-action release handle
  • MFF eEquipment attaching strap
  • LLSL lowering line
  • MFF lowering line

Annual Warrior Competition

The 24th MEU 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company won the 2010 Annual Warrior Competition against tactical units from all over the world.

Creed

Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me.

Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal. Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life. Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics—The title of Recon Marine is my honor.

Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure; To overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission.

On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition. Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate.

Never shall I forget the principles I accepted to become a Recon Marine. Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart. A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what others can only imagine.

See also

  • United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions
  • Marine Raider Regiment (MARSOC)

Notes

References

Bibliography

  • Field Manual (FM) 7-92, The Infantry Reconnaissance Platoon and Squad (Airborne, Air Assault, Light Infantry)
  • Marine Administrative Message (MARADMIN) 417/07, Reconnaissance Marine Lateral Move Policy and Procedures [https://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/2007/Messagesa31.aspx]
  • Marine Corps Order (MCO) 1510.125, Individual Training Standards (ITS) Systems for Marine Combat Water Survival Training (MCWST) [https://web.archive.org/web/20120406112327/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%201510.125.pdf]
  • MCO 1543.12, Material Fielding Plan for the Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft (CRRC) [https://web.archive.org/web/20080612135339/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%201543.12%20W%20CH%201.pdf]
  • MCO 3500.20B, Marine Corps Parachuting and Diving Policy and Program Administration [https://web.archive.org/web/20090827064938/http://safetycenter.navy.mil/instructions/Parachute/MCO_3500.20B.pdf]
  • MCO 3500.42A, Marine Corps Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Policy and Program Administration [https://web.archive.org/web/20120406112312/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%203500.42A%20W%20ERRATUM.pdf]
  • MCO 3502.2A, Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) Special Skills Certification Program [https://web.archive.org/web/20120406112340/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%203502.2A%20W%20ERRATUM.pdf]
  • MCO 3502.3A, Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Predeployment Training Program (PTP) [https://web.archive.org/web/20080613003809/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%203502.3A%20W%20ERRATUM.pdf]
  • Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 2-1C, Marine Air Ground Task Force Intelligence Dissemination [http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usmc/mcrp2-1c.pdf]
  • Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 2–1, Intelligence Operations [http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usmc/mcwp2-1.pdf]
  • MCWP 2–15.1, Remote Sensor Operations [http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usmc/mcwp2-15-1.pdf]
  • NAVMC 3500.55B, Reconnaissance (Recon) Training and Readiness (T&R) Manual
  • Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for an Underwater Reconnaissance Capability (URC)[http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usmc/ord96061xa.htm]
  • US Marine Corps
  • Force Recon Association
  • SpecialOperations.com Marine Recon Page
  • Recon Marines