The United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions (or commonly called Marine Division Recon) are the Special Operations Capable
reconnaissance
In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, terrain, and other activities.
Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops ( skirmishe ...
assets of
Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF, pronounced MAG-TAF) is a term used by the United States Marine Corps to describe the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined a ...
that provide
division-level ground
Ground may refer to:
Geology
* Land, the surface of the Earth not covered by water
* Soil, a mixture of clay, sand and organic matter present on the surface of the Earth
Electricity
* Ground (electricity), the reference point in an electrical c ...
and
amphibious reconnaissance
Amphibious reconnaissance is ground and naval reconnaissance in the littoral area bordering coastal or ocean areas. Initially, it is used for preliminary reconnaissance in collecting pertinent information about the beachhead in its permeabilit ...
to the
Ground Combat Element within the
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through c ...
. Division reconnaissance teams are employed to observe and report on enemy activity and other information of military significance in
close operations Close operations are operations that are within the commander's area of operation (AO) in their battlespace (see: Area of responsibility). Most operations that are projected in close areas are usually against hostile forces in immediate contact and ...
. The Military Occupational Specialty code for Reconnaissance Marine is 0321.
Role
Reconnaissance
In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, terrain, and other activities.
Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops ( skirmishe ...
forces are a valuable asset to the
Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF, pronounced MAG-TAF) is a term used by the United States Marine Corps to describe the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined a ...
when the
MEF Commander is faced with uncertainty in the battlefield. Reconnaissance provides timely
intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for abstraction, logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can ...
to
command and control
Command and control (abbr. C2) is a "set of organizational and technical attributes and processes ... hat
A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
employs human, physical, and information resources to solve problems and accomplish missions" to achieve the goals of an organization o ...
for
battlespace shaping, allowing the MAGTF to act, and react, to changes in the battlefield. While Marine reconnaissance assets may operate in specialized missions, they are unlike the
unconventional SOCOM's forces counterparts. Both division and force are solely reserved for supporting the infantry, which are directly involved in the commander's ''force of action'' in the battlefield, or battlespace shaping.
Many of the
types of reconnaissance missions that are conducted by Marine Recon units are characterized by its degree in depth of penetration. This greatly increases the mission time, risk, and support coordination needs. Division reconnaissance are in charge of the commander's Area of Influence, the close and distant battlespace; the force reconnaissance platoons are employed farther in the deep battlespace, or the Area of Interest.
These are the main missions that are outlined to some, or all of, the reconnaissance assets in the Marine Corps:
* Plan, coordinate, and conduct
amphibious
Amphibious means able to use either land or water. In particular it may refer to:
Animals
* Amphibian, a vertebrate animal of the class Amphibia (many of which live on land and breed in water)
* Amphibious caterpillar
* Amphibious fish, a fish ...
-
ground reconnaissance and surveillance to observe, identify, and report enemy activity, and collect other information of military significance.
* Conduct specialized
surveying
Surveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, art, and science of determining the terrestrial two-dimensional or three-dimensional positions of points and the distances and angles between them. A land surveying professional is ...
to include:
underwater reconnaissance and/or demolitions, beach permeability and
topography
Topography is the study of the forms and features of land surfaces. The topography of an area may refer to the land forms and features themselves, or a description or depiction in maps.
Topography is a field of geoscience and planetary sc ...
, routes, bridges, structures, urban/rural areas, helicopter
landing zones (LZ), parachute
drop zones (DZ), aircraft
forward operating sites, and mechanized reconnaissance missions.
* When properly task organized with other forces, equipment or personnel, assist in specialized
engineer
Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who Invention, invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considerin ...
, radio, mobile, and other
special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance (SR) or Recon Team is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organizations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detec ...
missions.
* Infiltrate mission areas by necessary means to include: surface, subsurface and airborne operations.
* Conduct counter-reconnaissance.
* Conduct
Initial Terminal Guidance (ITG) for
helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and laterally. These attribu ...
s,
landing craft
Landing craft are small and medium seagoing watercraft, such as boats and barges, used to convey a landing force (infantry and vehicles) from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. The term excludes landing ships, which are larger. ...
, parachutists, air-delivery, and re-supply.
* Designate and engage selected targets with organic weapons and force fires to support battlespace shaping. This includes designation and terminal guidance of
precision-guided munition
A precision-guided munition (PGM, smart weapon, smart munition, smart bomb) is a guided munition intended to precisely hit a specific target, to minimize collateral damage and increase lethality against intended targets. During the First Gu ...
s.
* Conduct post-strike reconnaissance to determine and report
battle damage assessment
Bomb damage assessment (BDA), also known as battle damage assessment, is the practice of assessing damage inflicted on a target from a stand-off weapon, most typically a bomb or air launched missile. It is part of the larger discipline of combat ...
on a specified target or area.
* Conduct limited scale
raids and
ambush
An ambush is a long-established military tactic in which a combatant uses an advantage of concealment or the element of surprise to attack unsuspecting enemy combatants from concealed positions, such as among dense underbrush or behind moun ...
es.
Organization
A Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalion consists of five companies - a Headquarters Company and four "line" companies named Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Force.
Each line company has a headquarters element and two platoons - a reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) platoon and a visit, board, search, and seizure (
VBSS
Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) is the term used by United States military and law enforcement agencies for maritime boarding actions and tactics. VBSS teams are designed to capture enemy vessels, combat terrorism, piracy, and smuggli ...
) platoon.
Deep Reconnaissance Platoons
Deep Reconnaissance Platoons, or ''DRPs'', are units within Recon Battalions that carry out the role of
Force Reconnaissance. The first DRPs were formed in March 1975 after the
conclusion of American involvement in the
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...
, when the Marine Corps was downsized; Force Recon was reduced to a single regular company. Both 1st and 3d Battalion received a 23-man Deep Reconnaissance Platoon. DRPs gained additional importance in 2006, when all active-duty Force Recon companies were transferred to
Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and became Marine Special Operations Battalions. Force Recon Marines not in an MSOB became part of the DRPs, which were placed in the Delta Companies of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Recon Battalions.
Standard Recon Platoon
The standard recon platoon in a Recon Battalion consists of:
Platoon Commander:
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment.
The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...
or
Captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
Platoon Sergeant:
Gunnery Sergeant
Field Radio Operator:
Corporal
Corporal is a military rank in use in some form by many militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. The word is derived from the medieval Italian phrase ("head of a body"). The rank is usually the lowest ranking non- ...
or
Sergeant
Sergeant ( abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other ...
Special Equipment NCO: Sergeant
Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman (SARC): First, Second, or Third Class Petty Officer
Recon Teams ×3
:Team Leader:
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services.
History of title
In origin, certain senior sergeants were assigned to administrative, superv ...
or Sergeant
:Assistant Team Leader: Sergeant or Corporal
:Radio Operator: Sergeant or Corporal
:Assistant Radio Operator: Corporal or
Lance Corporal
Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organisations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer (NCO), usually equi ...
:Point Man: Corporal or Lance Corporal
:Slackman: Corporal or Lance Corporal.
Training
Table of equipment
All amphibious recon Marines
orce and Divisionand
Corpsmen
A hospital corpsman (HM r corpsman is an enlisted medical specialist of the United States Navy, who may also serve in a U.S. Marine Corps unit. The corresponding rating within the United States Coast Guard is health services technician (HS) ...
DC Corpsmen and SARCare provided general issued equipment, these are the weapons that are generally used by both MAGTF Recon assets. These weapons are generally used by most other Marines in the infantry, except with minor modifications. Although Force Recon units receive the same equipment as their division recon counterparts, they also have equipment similar to that issued to comparable USSOCOM units. Force Recon are assigned to missions remote from any available fire support and fully rely on specialized weapons that are versatile enough to be flexible in the commander's area of interest.
* Data Automated Communications Terminal (DACT) – The DACT system, built and designed by
Raytheon
Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense conglomerate headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It is one of the largest aerospace and defense manufacturers in the world by revenue and market capitali ...
, is similar to a hand-held
Personal Digital Assistant
A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a handheld PC, is a variety mobile device which functions as a personal information manager. PDAs have been mostly displaced by the widespread adoption of highly capable smartphones, in part ...
(PDA) that allows the commanders a
Common Operational Picture A common operational picture (COP) is a single identical display of relevant (operational) information (e.g. position of own troops and enemy troops, position and status of important infrastructure such as bridges, roads, etc.) shared by more than ...
(COP) to their platoons/teams through battalion/regimental levels. The DACT provides immediate person-to-person communications and feedback, such as
positional data,
situational awareness
Situational awareness or situation awareness (SA) is the perception of environmental elements and events with respect to time or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their future status. An alternative definition is tha ...
(SA), and communications tools providing
Command and Control
Command and control (abbr. C2) is a "set of organizational and technical attributes and processes ... hat
A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
employs human, physical, and information resources to solve problems and accomplish missions" to achieve the goals of an organization o ...
(C2) capabilities. The recon platoons/teams use two variants of the DACT systems, which are made available, the Mounted (M-DACT), which are mounting on tactical vehicles; and the Dismounted (D-DACT) for the Marines on foot or patrol.
Weapons
*
OKC-3S Bayonet
*
M16A4 Service Rifle ''*with/without
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single-shot 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older stand-alone M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilizes the high-low propulsion system to keep recoil forces ...
attachment''
*
M4/M4A1 Service Rifle ''*with/without
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single-shot 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older stand-alone M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilizes the high-low propulsion system to keep recoil forces ...
attachment''
*
MEU (SOC) Service Pistol
*
M40A5 Sniper Rifle ''*used by the detached
Scout Sniper Platoons''
*
M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System ''*used by the detached Scout Sniper Platoons''
*
M82A3 SASR .50 Anti-Material Weapon
*
M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) being phased out by the M27 IAR
*
Mk19, Mod 3 40-mm Automatic Grenade Launcher
*
M240 7.62-mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)
*
M2HB .50-cal Heavy Machine Gun
*
M61 and
M67 Fragmentation grenade
*
MK3A2 Concussion grenade (offensive)
*
M18 Colored Smoke and AN-M8 HC White Smoke grenade
* ABC-M25A1/A2 Riot Control and ABC-M7A2/3
CS gas
The compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called ''o''-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile; chemical formula: C10H5ClN2), a cyanocarbon, is the defining component of tear gas commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agen ...
grenade
* AN-M14
TH3 Incendiary and M15
White Phosphorus grenade
*
M69 practice hand grenade
*
XM84 Stun grenade
Combat and protective gear
The combative and protective gear is used by both recon assets of MAFTF. However, again, there are 'additional' equipment in the Force Recon's T/E to meet their assignments in deep operations and/or direct action missions. And to include FORECON's necessary equipment that are capable of being jumped out of aircraft; and long-range communications due to their operability at greater distances than Division Recon geographically-assigned boundaries.
* Utility uniform –
Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform
The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel (mostly corpsmen, Seabees, chaplains, and their bodyguards) assigned to Marine Corps un ...
(MCCUU), with
MARPAT
MARPAT (short for Marine pattern) is a multi-scale camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, designed in 2001 and introduced from late 2002 to early 2005 with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), which replace ...
camouflage digital pixelated pattern in woodland and desert variants.
* Load Bearing Vest (LBV) – The vest could be the current standard-issue, second-generation,
MOLLE Fighting Load Carrier vest (FLC) or the late 1980s to early 1990s
IIFS non-modular load bearing vest (LBV-88). The latter is more popular for durability. An operator may also use a third-party LBV, and chestrigs are popular.
* Rucksack – A large backpack for items accessed less often. Marines have publicly voiced a preference for
ALICE
Alice may refer to:
* Alice (name), most often a feminine given name, but also used as a surname
Literature
* Alice (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), a character in books by Lewis Carroll
* ''Alice'' series, children's and teen books by ...
packs, introduced in 1974, over the newer MOLLE packs, but individual operators may buy third-party packs which surpass both products in durability. The MOLLE packs were replaced by the
Arc'teryx-designed
ILBE
The Improved Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE) is a United States Marine Corps program that had included individual load carriage equipment, individual hydration systems ( Source One Hydration) and individual water purification.
Since the rucksack ...
.
* First aid kit – A personal-sized first aid kit that is carried usually fastened onto webbing of the rucksack or personal vest carrying system.
* Tactical
knee pads and
elbow pads
Elbow pads are protective padded gear worn on the elbows to protect them against injury during a fall or a strike.
Elbow pads are worn by many athletes, especially hockey players, cyclists, roller skaters, skateboarders, volleyball players, s ...
– For protection and comfort as Marines move into various firing positions.
* Boots – Equipment-bearing hiking boots or specialized hiking shoes.
* Combat Helmet and tactical goggles –
Lightweight Helmet or other
Kevlar
Kevlar (para-aramid) is a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in 1965, the high-strength material was first used commercially in the early 1970s a ...
helmets
*
Nomex
Nomex is a flame-resistant meta- aramid material developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967.
Properties
Nomex and related aramid polymers are related to nylon, but have aromatic backbones, and hence are more rigid and m ...
balaclava – A hood with a large opening for the eyes. NOMEX is a
flame retardant
The term flame retardants subsumes a diverse group of chemicals that are added to manufactured materials, such as plastics and textiles, and surface finishes and coatings. Flame retardants are activated by the presence of an ignition source and ...
fabric that was developed during post-
Korean War
{{Infobox military conflict
, conflict = Korean War
, partof = the Cold War and the Korean conflict
, image = Korean War Montage 2.png
, image_size = 300px
, caption = Clockwise from top:{ ...
era for use by aircraft pilots that has since been found useful for many other applications.
* Ballistic vest –
Interceptor Body Armor
The Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System (IBA) is a bullet-resistant body armor system that was used by the United States Armed Forces during the 2000s, with some limited usage into the mid-2010s. IBA and its design replaced the older sta ...
. Marine Corps's
Modular Tactical Vest (MTV)
Special equipment
Most of the recon patrols or insertions are either in maritime, amphibious environments or on the ground. They have to rely on equipment that is essential to their mission. Both recon assets contain a Table of Equipment (T/E) that has
combatant diving equipment. A Marine within a recon platoon will be assigned as the "Special Equipment
NCO", fully responsible for the procurement and maintenance of the equipment when operating in the field.
Force Recon's Parachute Loft, or ''Paraloft'' section has in addition to their
"mission-essential" equipment, the Parachutist Individual Equipment Kit (PIEK) and Single Action Release Personal Equipment Lowering Equipment (SARPELS) for their parachute capabilities.
Combatant diving
The scuba equipment listed under the
T/E set by the US Navy for the Marine Corps reconnaissance:
*
Draeger MK 25
rebreather unit – The rebreather unit is a pure oxygen
SCUBA system that scrubs the diver's exhalation of carbon dioxide and recycles the remaining oxygen into the breathing loop. Since it is closed-circuit, it does not release a trail of bubbles unless the diver is surfacing faster than the oxygen is consumed. Bubbles could reveal the presence and location of the diver and compromise the mission.
*
Deep See Squeeze Lock – diving knife with a
beta-titanium
Titanium alloys are alloys that contain a mixture of titanium and other chemical elements. Such alloys have very high tensile strength and toughness (even at extreme temperatures). They are light in weight, have extraordinary corrosion resistance ...
blade. Useful when snagged in fishing nests or other submerged entanglements, many of which are nearly non-visible underwater.
*
Aqua Lung Military Snorkel Flex Tube – Standard-issue
snorkel.
* Aqua Lung Rocket Fin – Standard-issue
swimfins.
* Aqua Lung Look Mask and Mythos Mask – Standard-issue
diving mask
Diving most often refers to:
* Diving (sport), the sport of jumping into deep water
* Underwater diving, human activity underwater for recreational or occupational purposes
Diving or Dive may also refer to:
Sports
* Dive (American football), ...
. Mythos mask contains a blow-out, one-way valve at the nasal piece to expel water that is in the goggles.
* Diver's Weight Belt, (WB67/WB68) – Weight belt is used to neutralize excess
buoyancy
Buoyancy (), or upthrust, is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of a partially or fully immersed object. In a column of fluid, pressure increases with depth as a result of the weight of the overlying fluid. Thus the ...
under the water.
* Case Soft Diving Weights, (September-M-2/Sep-M-5) – Additional weights that can be released individually to proper buoyant level.
*
Scubapro Twin Jet Fins –
Split fins are fairly new to the Marine Corps T/E, since 2000. They have been tested to prove that the split fin design allows slightly better maneuverability if one had to immediately run during unexpected enemy contact once ashore. It also has excellent water propulsion to push the recon Marines and Corpsmen to shore.
* Aqua Lung Impulse 2 Snorkel – This snorkel contains a one-way valve that prevents water from entering the diver's mouth.
*
UDT life preserver – Standard-issued life preserver.
History
The Marine Corps's division-level reconnaissance was first conceived in 1941 by Lieutenant Colonel
William J. Whaling. He needed a group of specialized scouts and skilled marksmen to form a "Scout and Sniper Company". Two of the newly established Marine divisions,
1st
First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1).
First or 1st may also refer to:
*World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement
Arts and media Music
* 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and reco ...
and
2nd Marine Division contained their own scout company. Larger infantry regiments called for more recon, scouts and sniper assets. By 1945, the divisions had instituted and organized their own
scout-sniper,
light armored reconnaissance (LAR), and division reconnaissance assets.
As a result of MCO 5401.5, dated 24 August 1952, the USMC Force Restructure and Implementation Plan, the Marine Corps shrunk its forces and as a result reconnaissance battalions were eliminated and reconnaissance companies became a part of infantry regiments.
Notes
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.
"Swift, Silent, Deadly"
See also
*
Marine Raider Regiment
The Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), formerly known as the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), is a special operations force of the United States Marine Corps, which is a part of Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Renamed ...
*
United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance
Force Reconnaissance (FORECON) is one of the United States Marine Corps' special operations capable forces (SOC) which supplies military intelligence to the command element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Force Reconnaissance compa ...
*
United States Marine Corps Light Armored Reconnaissance
*
Radio Reconnaissance Platoon
The Radio Reconnaissance Platoon is a specially trained Marine Corps Intelligence element of a United States Marine Corps Radio Battalion. A Radio Reconnaissance Team (RRT) was assigned as the tactical signals intelligence collection element fo ...
*
Scout Sniper
United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper (MOS 0317, formerly 8541) is a secondary MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) designator of U.S. Marine Corps infantrymen and reconnaissance Marines that have graduated from a U.S. Marine Corps Scout Snipe ...
*
Surveillance and Target Acquisition
References
External links
1st Recon Battalion AssociationThe 2D Reconnaissance Battalion Association3rd Recon AssociationRecon & Sniper Foundation* . Article on changes to the Reconnaissance Battalions' mission brought on by
fourth generation warfare
Fourth-generation warfare (4GW) is conflict characterized by a blurring of the lines between war and politics, combatants and civilians.
The term was first used in 1980 by a team of United States analysts, including William S. Lind, to descri ...
. Retrieved on 2008-07-15.
{{Underwater diving, prodiv