United States Marine Corps: MARSOC Vs. Force Recon

Throughout it's history, the United States Marine Corps has always tried to drift away from the national requests of creating a special operational unit, such as the SEAL's are for the Navy and the 'Green Berets' for the Army. The reason being, the overall Marine Corps culture dictates that all Marines are considered “elite”, therefore, the creation of a “special” unit would go against these beliefs. However, in 2006, the headquarters of the USMC cracked under pressure and the creation of the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command was made public. Ever since its creation, there have been many speculations and misunderstandings among the civilian populations, and even among Marines themselves. This article is an attempt to shed some light on this dark subject.

Force Recon is a small elite infantry unit which works for a Marine Corps Expeditionary Force. Recon or "Regular" Recon refers to those Recon Marines which work for an Expeditionary Unit or a Division. Despite certain claims, Force Recon are not “better”. They go through the same practical training. The difference relies on “who they work for” and “who they take their orders from”.

Recon is a short version used to replace the term 'Reconnaissance Man'. Recon Marines are regular infantry Marines. They hold a regular MOS of 0321, 0322 or 0323. However, they're particular job, reconnaissance, which is the military term used to describe the exploring of enemy occupied territory, requires specialized training. Just like an engineer in the Marine Corps goes through over a year of schooling, a Recon Marine goes through a long, tough, challenging physical reconnaissance training. However, they are not 'special forces'. They never were and they never will be. In the post Vietnam War years, those Marines who were part of Force Recon, participated in many different special operation missions of the United States Special Operations Command. They worked hand to hand with other special operational units, such as the Navy SEAL's, as a supporting group. They took part of these special operations due to their extra ordinary skills in the field of reconnaissance. However, Force Recon never took its orders directly from USSOCOM. They worked specifically and exclusively for the United States Marine Corps as a branch. Therefore, they were never a special operational unit. This particular part of Force Recon's history is still misunderstood. Most people still believe that Recon Marines are 'special forces'.

When we talk about the Marine Corps Special Operations Command, the term 'special forces' comes to play. This part of the USMC was created in 2006. Relatively still new, it lacks huge budget funds and popularity, and that is why you might have not heard of it. MARSOC is part of, and takes orders from the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the same commanding unit of the Navy Seal's, Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Delta Force etc. The CSO (Critical Skills Operator/s), (which is the name awarded to those Marines who complete the special training of this unit), of MARSOC are indeed 'special forces'. These elite warriors go through some of the most challenging military training available. Unlike Recon Marines, they receive both physical and mental training. And unlike Recon, they are not only trained in Reconnaissance. A particular, important part of becoming a CSO of MARSOC is the individual skills training phase. During this time, Marines go through different training based on their personal abilities and preferences. Some become Snipers, while others become specialized in, Reconnaissance, Breaching, extreme Marksmanship or whatever the case may be. Primarily, they are trained in Direct Action. One of the main reasons for MARSOC's creation, was the desire of the USMC to take away the 'direct action' part from Force Recon. Force Recon nowadays, specializes and trains specifically and exclusively in reconnaissance; gathering intelligence. In some websites you might find information about their tasks including “Counter-Terrorism”, “Hostage Rescuing” etc. These tasks are no longer part of Force Recon. These missions are primarily conducted by the Critical Skills Operators of MARSOC.

Here is the best, shortest explanation I was able to find on the web.

“Marine Reconnaissance works in support of combat operations for an invading/attacking unit. For example, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion supports the 1st Marine Division. Marines from 1st Recon also provide a platoon which supports the Battalion Landing Teams on MEUs.

When MARSOC was founded, the bulk of it's original members came from the Force Recon community. MARSOC works for SOCOM. Force Recon works for the Marine Expeditionary FORCE, and Recon Battalions work for the divisions. “ -No one could have possibly worded it better or clearer. The Marine which wrote the above sentences is a member of a Marine Corps forum community; Leatherneck.com.

Hope you found this information helpful.

Thank you for reading.

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