The Marine Special Operations Group (also known as the Force Reconnaissance Group), formerly known as the Force Recon Battalion, is the

Philippine Marine Corps The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) ( fil, Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special ...

' elite special forces unit for

unconventional warfare Unconventional warfare (UW) is broadly defined as "military and quasi-military operations other than conventional warfare" and may use covert forces, subversion, or guerrilla warfare. This is typically done to avoid escalation into conventiona ...

and special operations. It specializes in sea, air and land operations, like its counterpart in the

Naval Special Operations Command The Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) is a separate command of the Philippine Navy trained in special operations, sabotage, psychological and unconventional warfare and is heavily influenced by the United States Navy SEALs. NAVSOCOM ...

of the Philippine Navy, ranging from reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence and underwater operations in support to the overall naval operations.

History

The MSOG was established on August 19, 1972, which was first known as the 1st Reconnaissance Unit, Recon Company. As part of the ongoing expansion and modernization of the entire Armed Forces, the FRB was officially renamed in April 2018 as the ''Marine Special Operations Group''. Plans are ongoing to expand the unit's capabilities.

Training

All Force Recon Marines are usually airborne and Scout Ranger qualified and most importantly; must finish the Force Reconnaissance Course to qualify. Like most of the AFP special operations units, the best members of Force Recon Battalion are handpicked to undergo VIP security training and assigned to the

Presidential Security Group The Presidential Security Group, shortened as PSG, is a Philippine close protection agency. It is the primary agency concerned with providing close-in security and escort to the president, their immediate families, former presidents of the Phili ...

Units

*HQ and Training Company *Four Recon Companies **61st Reconnaissance Company **62nd Reconnaissance Company **63rd Reconnaissance Company **64th Reconnaissance Company

References

{{commons category, Marine Special Operations Group Special forces of the Philippines Battalions of the Philippines Philippine Marine Corps