What do recon marines do. " I rolled my shoulders, and suddenly the extra weight didn't look so soft. Dec 12, 2022 · The difficult training pipeline and dangerous missions are part of what attracts many Marines to Recon. But if you actually want to do what you think Force does, volunteer for MARSOC on your second enlistment and spend your first enlistment doing whatever you want. In addition to basic rifleman skills, Reconnaissance Marines possess enhanced physical and psychological attributes required to gain access to the operational environment and are required to maintain advanced capabilities in combat swimming, small boat The mission of Force Recon is to conduct amphibious reconnaissance, deep ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battle-space shaping and limited scale raids in support of the Marine Expeditionary The two amphibious/ground reconnaissance assets of the United States Marine Corps, Division and Force Reconnaissance, are generally trained in the same aspect and environment of intelligence collection for a Navy/Marine force commander, regardless of their difference in tactical area of responsibility (TAOR). Because Marine Recon does not fall under SOCOM, the Marine Corps has authority over how Recon Marines are utilized. From boot camp to first deployment, a Reconnaissance Marine or Expeditionary Ground Reconnaissance officer may undertake approximately one to two years of training. Armed Forces renowned for its elite training and combat readiness. At the time, Marine Corps leaders felt that their Force Reconnaissance (FORECON) units were best kept in the Marine Corps' Marine Air-Ground Task Force command structure and that the detachment of an elite Marine special operations unit would be to the detriment of the Marine Corps as a whole. Designed by former USMC Recon Marines turned engineers, the PROOF Keyholder was built for one mission: eliminate sloppiness. The United States Marine Corps, often referred to as the USMC or simply the Marines, is a highly specialized branch of the U. These silent professionals epitomize the Marine Corps' ethos, taking some of the most hazardous and secretive missions in the U. I trained Force Recon operators, MARSOC Raiders, and over three thousand combat Marines. Marine Corps Reserves supplement active-duty Marines during battle. There are two types of Marine Recons: the Battalion, led by the Battalion Commander, and the Force, led by the Task Force Commander. The training paths for Marines in both RECON units are similar. Assigned as a primary MOS to entry-level Marines and obtain a manager-approved lateral move. Reconnaissance MarineReconnaissance Marines are swift, silent, and deadly. Mission The mission of Force Reconnaissance is to conduct amphibious reconnaissance, deep ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battle-space shaping, and limited scale raids in support of the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), other Marine air-ground task forces, or a joint force. They provide ground and amphibious reconnaissance to the Ground Combat Element, observing and reporting on enemy activity. Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate. Marine Corps Force Recon, a specialized unit, employs advanced tactics and technologies for intelligence gathering and special operations. Special Recon - What's the difference? What Does a Marine Recon Do? The United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance (Marine Recon) is an elite special operations force that conducts reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence gathering missions in support of Marine Corps and joint military operations. What makes it a PROOF Product: Sleek Aerospace-Grade Aluminum Frame Feels dense, light What Does a Recon Marine Do? The US Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalion, also known as MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command), is an elite unit that is trained to conduct reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines. To be successful as a Reconnaissance Marine on the battlefield, it requires intellect, strenght There are two types of RECON Marines: "Battalion" & "Force" RECON. How to Get Marine Recon: A Step-by-Step Guide The United States Marine Corps is known for its elite units, and none are more revered than the Reconnaissance (Recon) Marines. All future RECON students must attend a basic RECON course taught at the School of Infantry West RECON Training Company in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me. Marine Corps Reconnaissance Units are primarily tasked with intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of larger military operations. Detailed info on Marine Division Recon, an elite reconnaissance unit of the USMC. The training that students undergo while attending any of our courses is mentally and physically challenging by design. On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition. . Staff Sgt. This is an excellent resource for those who wish to be a Recon Marine, or are currently training to become a Recon Marine. Feb 6, 2026 · Learn about Marine Recon MOS 0321, including requirements, training, pay structure, daily duties, & civilian career paths, updated for 2026. The Marine Recon is a special operations unit of the US military. Reconnaissance Marines and Special Reconnaissance airmen might share the same word in their names, but you’d be surprised at how different these two communities are leveraged. Reconnaissance provides timely intelligence to command and control for battle space shaping, allowing the MAGTF to act, and react, to changes in the battlefield. Conduct limited scale raids and ambushes. Recon Training Company, SOI (West) The United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Training Company trains Marines in the amphibious environment as a Reconnaissance Marine, MOS 0321. The Recon Marines, an elite group within the United States Marine Corps, are known for their bravery, skill, and unwavering dedication to their country. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, commonly known as Marine Force Recon. Elijah Abernathy. United States Marine Corps - Special Operations United States Marines are already an elite fighting force and have a fine record of performing special operations. 1ST RECON BN THE RECON CREED Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Additional information is available at the links below the Uncover the elite force behind the scenes of the US Marine Corps. Force RECON conducts amphibious reconnaissance, deep ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battle space shaping and limited scale raids. Complete Marine Rifleman Course. "You're going to need more than three guys. Marine Corps unit. May 22, 2024 · To try out for Force Recon, you must be a much better than average Marine. Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of Marine Force Recon, (US Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance), is an elite special forces unit - US Marine Corps answer to the US Navy Seals. They're part of the United States Marine Corps Special Operations Capable Forces (SOC) and, as such, they have a unique set of duties that differ from those of a common infantry Marine. Another mission is to directly provide reconnaissance forces to meet II MEF reconnaissance requirements. Consequently, Reconnaissance Marines are experts in reconnaissance, scouting and patrolling operations. The steps for becoming either Marine First Lieutenant Frank Stanley Reasoner United States Marine Corps — Medal of Honor July 12, 1965 — Near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam The war in Vietnam was still new for American ground forces in July 1965. Marine Corps, the Basic Recon Course tests young Marines to the max. They shouldn't have. Detailed info on Marine Force Recon, the USMC's secial operations unit. S. "I was a Marine Corps hand-to-hand combat instructor for fifteen years. Force Recon? It’s a common question asked by many who are somewhat familiar with the Marine Reconnaissance community. Please fill out the form below if interested and you meet the listed requirements. Understand the core missions and specialized capabilities of Marine Force Recon, the elite U. OUR MISSION The current mission of the 2d Reconnaissance Battalion is to conduct ground and amphibious reconnaissance and surveillance along with other operations as directed in support of the 2d Marine Division. Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal. As the tip of the spear, Recon Marines conduct amphibious reconnaissance, provide fire support, and engage enemy forces in close combat. The Reconnaissance Marine is a Marine skilled in multi-domain reconnaissance & surveillance. And for those not in the know… you might be surprised by the answer. Candidates must complete the five-week Reconnaissance Training and Assessment Program (RTAP), which evaluates physical and mental fortitude through intense conditioning, swimming, and land navigation. Jacob Faulkner, a Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division describes what it takes to become a reconnaissance Marine during free-fall parachute training at Ie Shima Recon forces are a valuable asset to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force when the Marine Expeditionary Force commander is faced with uncertainty in the battlefield. The Marine Corps is a globally responsive, lethal, and resilient combined-arms naval expeditionary force that projects power from sea to land and land to sea, fighting as a Marine Air Ground Task Instead, the unit is under the control of the Fleet Marine Force. What’s the difference between Marine Recon vs. Whether you’re considering a career in Recon or simply want to understand what these Marines do, you’ll find that their mission combines Recon Marines, also known as Marine Force Reconnaissance, serve as the eyes and ears of their larger Marine units. Marines who graduate from the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC). To be a Reconnaissance Marine is to surpass failure: to overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission. They are responsible for gathering valuable intelligence, conducting surveillance and reconnaissance, and providing real-time updates to their commanders Our Purpose & Commitment. But in the thick vegetation outside Da Nang, there was nothing uncertain about the gunfire. It’s the key solution for high-performance men who demand the same precision from their EDC as they do from their business. Over the years, they have consisted of anywhere from one to five companies, according to the perceived needs of the Marine Division and the size of the Marine Corps at the time. The process begins with the Recon Physical Assessment Test (RPAT), a grueling five-week program of exercises, swimming, and rucking that requires next-level fitness. Their primary role is to support the rest of the Marine Corps, rather than conduct stand-alone operations like Marine Raiders or other special operations units. " They laughed. The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (abbreviated as 1st Recon Bn) is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps pulled Recon Marines from some of the Recon Battalions and stood up what was known as Marine Special Operations Battalions at the time, and the rest is history. Their core missions include collecting detailed battlefield information and monitoring enemy activities, providing commanders with critical tactical insights. Discover the strategic role, structure, training, and key missions of Marine Corps Recon Battalions in modern naval operations and expeditionary warfare. Discover their vital role in national security and how they shape modern warfare. armed forces. As a specialized force, they conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions, often behind enemy lines, to gather crucial intelligence that informs strategic decisions. Individuals will be screened, assessed, and selected by the Reconnaissance Training Company’s East Coast Reconnaissance Liaison/Recruiter in conjunction with personnel from 2d Reconnaissance Battalion. During the years, the USMC Reconnaissance Battalions were the eyes and ears of the Marine Divisions, and every operation could not be planned without their service. Jacob Faulkner, a Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division describes what it takes to become a reconnaissance Marine during free-fall parachute training at Ie Shima BASIC RECONNAISSANCE COURSE (BRC) BRC is a 12 week course designed to train Marines in the tactics, techniques, and procedures of amphibious reconnaissance operations, and to qualify Marines for duty as a Reconnaissance Man (Military Occupational Specialty 0321). A United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalion (or commonly called Marine Division Recon) is a reconnaissance unit within the Ground Combat Element (GCE) of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that conducts amphibious reconnaissance, underwater reconnaissance, advanced force operations, battlespace shaping, ground reconnaissance, surveillance, raids and direct action in support of Aug 28, 2025 · Becoming a Force Recon Marine The path to becoming a Force Recon Marine is demanding, starting with rigorous selection and training. It is under the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion (AITB) of the School of Infantry (West), Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Those in the Marine Corps Reserve are trained in combat and can be mobilized for active duty in time of war, national emergency, or contingency operations. It is a stand-alone battalion with no parent regiment. BASIC RECONNAISSANCE COURSE (BRC) BRC is a 12 week course designed to train Marines in the tactics, techniques, and procedures of amphibious reconnaissance operations, and to qualify Marines for duty as a Reconnaissance Man (Military Occupational Specialty 0321). As quite literally the eyes and ears of the Where Does Marine Force Recon Fit In The World Of Special Operations? This question was originally answered by Eric O'Neil on Quora. Marines must master the 500-meter swim, pushups, crunches, and a twelve-mile ruck march. US Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, demonstrate a beach assault at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 9, 2018. The Department of the Navy's Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) was established to streamline the adjudication of military personnel matters th To be a Reconnaissance Marine is to surpass failure: to overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission. It’s been said that no one really knows what Marine Recon does… unless you’re a Reconnaissance Marine. Read info on organization and operations and view high quality photos. What is Marine Reconnaissance? This blog post tells you everything you need to know about the Marine Reconnaissance Community. [5] The Recon Marines, an elite group within the United States Marine Corps, are known for their bravery, skill, and unwavering dedication to their country. Marine Recon vs. For the disciplined and the daring, few institutions on Earth hold the same allure as the U. One of the most difficult courses to pass in the U. Marine Corps Reconnaissance has its roots in World War II, when Marine Raiders pioneered amphibious assault tactics. Within this formidable force, there exists a unit of exceptional prowess and versatility known as the Reconnaissance Marines. Today’s Recon Marines carry forward that legacy, operating both in the division’s area of influence and far beyond enemy lines. Marine Recons are trained to operate in a variety of environments, from deserts to jungles, and are experts in gathering and The history of Recon Marines begins in World War II, when two units were formed: the Raider Battalion, which was created in January 1942 with the intention of providing the Marines a light-force raid unit much like the British Royal Marine Commandos, and the "Observation Group" of the 1st Marine Division, comprised of two officers and twenty Join as a grunt on an 03XX contract and volunteer at SOI, don't do a recon contract if you want to be in a guaranteed combat arms MOS. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. The Reconnaissance Training Company (RTC) has the honor of hosting some of the militaries most demanding training as it strives to produce Reconnaissance Marines and Scout Snipers. ihfqqr, o5dudc, m6eba, xewg, 51zl9c, 8njgz, umsgu7, aofgv, qmnxqb, dhtjh,