Is Force Recon a part of SOCOM???

Good day everyone, got a very interesting question today. The very question was are Force Recon Marines, a part of SOCOM??? and the answer is ————————>>>> NO they’re not.

Force Recon should not be confused with Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC).

    

MARSOC is Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM’s) newest unit. (2007) Force Recon is considered a “Special Operations Capable” unit, however, they belong exclusively to the Marine Corps.

One would have to understand how things worked prior to 2007. I’ll explain…

(Of course there will be naysayers here) The Marine Corps is considered the US’ “elite” force. Therefore the Marine Corps is a quick reaction force and are experts at conducting amphibious operations.

Quick example —>> In WWII, the Marine Corps was deployed to the Pacific and began the “island hopping campaign” this was however years before the U.S. Army was able to land forces in North Africa and Normandy.

With the growth of the Special Operations community in the 1970s and 1980s, the Marine Corps resisted in creating its own Special Operations unit.

SOCOM was inaugurated in 1987, the Marines chose not to include their own Force Recon. The reason for this was simple, every Marine is special and elite, therefore we refused to label Marines as being more special and elite than the others.

Force Recon was created in the 1950s. Its mission, then and now, was to go deep behind enemy lines in order to gather reconnaissance of the enemy.

They are similar to Navy SEALs being that they are heavily trained in airborne and combat diving techniques. This allows them to bypass traditional land defense systems.

The water, and swimming, is a heavy component of being in Force Recon. The difference between them is that the SEALs’ purpose is to kill enemy forces, while Force Recon’s main purpose is to gather intelligence.

Force Recon’s mission is considered a success if no shots are fired. Marines in Force Recon are absolutely trained in direct action missions, and are capable of performing in combat situations, but that is not their primary role.

Now we’re going to jump to the events after the 9/11 attack.

The United States sent its most elite operatives (SOCOM) into Afghanistan way before it sent in conventional forces. This is the role that Marines have historically been employed in.

However, since the Marine Corps declined to have any units in SOCOM, no Marines are sent to Afghanistan during the opening stages of the war. The top brass of the Marine Corps had to suffer the embarrassment of being the only branch of the military with no troops in Afghanistan immediately post-9/11.

Due to these events the Marines, working closely with then Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, reversed course and created MARSOC to be the Marine Corps’ unit in SOCOM.

This was started in 2007, Its current role is a lot like the Army’s Special Forces (Green Berets), working closely with foreign militaries to help in training.

Since the Marine Corps has historically had a heavy presence in Southeast Asia, MARSOC has been working closely with military forces in the Philippines, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Indonesia to train their military forces.

Force Recon does not belong to SOCOM, but it is still providing commanders with a valuable resource as “special operations capable” forces.

They get the same training and equipment as SOCOM forces, but they are fully under the control of the Marine Corps. MARSOC is under the control of SOCOM, and thus Marine officers do not have final say in how they are deployed or used.
I hope this answered your question. Shout out to all the SOCOM operators out there.

Isaac Hall

Semper Kill

Comparing Marine Corps Elite Forces

Good day everyone, so today we’re comparing elite forces within the Marine Corps. When doing so it comes down to the command which they fall under. Also the assignments and missions that are given.

When Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions, deploy they report to Ground Combat Element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).

So they’ll support operations being conducted by the GCE, which consists of conventional infantry Marines and their support assets.  Example here—->> Colonel wants to send a rifle company into a village in order to search for a High Value Target. Prior to these events a Marine Recon team will get eyes on the target and identify landing zones. From there Marine line company sweep the area and secure.

Force Recon is a bit different. Force Reconnaissance are organic to the command element of Marine Expeditionary Force. So rather than working with line companies, they conduct deep reconnaissance to aid MEF in larger scale operations.

Force Recon is also direct action capability. Meaning they can serve as an in-extremis force for the MAGTF Commander.

Maritime Raid Force is responsible for high-speed, special operations such as snatch and grabs, global most wanted’s that sort of thing.

Due to the diverse responsibilities these Marines are required to hold a few more qualifications than their Battalion Recon brothers. Qualifications such as airborne, CQB training and an extreme amount of amphibious operations.

MARSOC (Marine Raiders) they belong to the Marine Corps, however, they’re also component command of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Who also have authority over the Navy’s SEAL Teams, Army’s Special Forces Groups and the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Recon and Force Reconnaissance support Marine operations. While MARSOC on the other hand supports operations given to them by USSOCOM or the theater commander.

Example—->> 

Raider Battalion is deployed to Africa as a Joint Special Operations Task Force (J-SOTF). From there the battalion is at the disposal of the Combatant Commander for AFRICOM.

They run any form of special operations missions. This is from Direct Action to Special Reconnaissance. It all depends on the needs of the Combatant Commander.

Training: 

Recon Battalions require an MOS of 0321 this is obtained through Basic Reconnaissance Course.

Force Recon requires 0326 SCUBA and Parachute Qualified. Schools include BRC, Army Airborne, Marine Corps Combatant Diver Course and a TON of other course.

Mountain Warfare, Scout Sniper, High Altitude Parachuting. I mean the training these guys endure can be a post of its own.

Respect, you guys are what we considers BAMS

(Bad Ass Motherfuckers)

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

Comparing U.S. Marines & U.S. Army

The United States Marine Corps is only quasi-independent from the US Navy because its historic operations. Which were/are different than the Army.

The US Marines have an oceanic duty, rooted in its history of serving aboard US Navy ships. Thus acting as warrior-protectors of those ships, invaders of other ships and landing crews to destroy or temporarily occupy enemy nations.

Over time many have felt that the roles and operations of the Marines are similar to those of the US Army. They’re actually quite different in terms of missions.

To be frank here, the US Marine Corps is designed to dismantle and annihilate enemies. Its training is far more difficult, its brotherhood is based on being deadly…

Now c’mon, this doesn’t mean we’re warmongering corsairs, however, the entire mysticism of the USMC is about striking fear into the enemies. This is done by being so fucking got-damn overwhelmingly deadly that the mere pretense of the USMC would end a battle before fighting begins.(respect)

I’m sure this comes off a bit offensive to the US Army. People forget that the goal of the US Army is very much like the Marines. EXCEPT the Army employs logistical, surgeons and a LOT of other people. (very big branch here)

They carry out nation building and larger political missions. The Marines see itself as a branch of deadly warriors ready to drop what they are doing and destroy at any minute. No matter the individual, Marines are always prepared to pick up a rifle and fight.

**The training is grueling, painful, and very emotional. It is intentionally the hardest basic training in the USA and for obvious reasons.

  The Army’s larger logistical and political mission make it a far more diverse military branch. It has supreme fighters as well I mean lets not forget about the Rangers, Asymmetric-Warfare Group, Special Forces. Ohh and then they’re these bad asses who call themselves Delta Force.

We completely respect our brothers from the Army branch. They’ve done great things throughout history I’m merely just mapping out a few differences between us and them.

 

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

Hola everyone,

So the Marine Corps, has sent a team of security guards from the Corps’ embassy reinforcement team to the U.S. Embassy in Juba, South Sudan. (should be interesting)

MSAU training

The Marine Security Augmentation Unit was created and implemented shortly after the September 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans, were killed including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

The number of Marines sent to Juba, have not been specified. However this area is where fighting between rival factions has killed hundreds of people recently.

So normally a MSAU size is based on the embassy protection requirements.

Again the number was not mentioned when asked…

MSAU Coin

U.S. Africa Command stated that a crisis response force of nearly 40 troops arrived at the embassy. This was supposedly to temporarily assist the U.S. Embassy in bolstering its security, assisting with a reduction of non-emergency personnel. The troops had brought several vehicles to secure the embassy.

The MSAU, which is based in Quantico, Virginia has about 120 Marine security guards. The unit dispatches in squad-sized teams, however, the deployment to Juba, would represent about one-third of the entire force.

MSAU Coin

Unlike other Marine Corps units that can quickly reinforce security at U.S. diplomatic posts. MSAU consists entirely of trained embassy guards. That means it can be summoned by a U.S. ambassador, chief of mission or regional security officer if a diplomatic post anywhere in the world is under threat. (They’ll be used accordingly)

MSAU Training

The MSAU can also be dispatched to reinforce Marine security guards already at an embassy. This is of course if there is credible intelligence of an attack.

We all remember the November’s terrorist attacks in France, that killed over 100 people. The Marines sent a MSAU team to the U.S. embassy in Paris. At the time, the unit had deployed on about 60 missions across the world since being established little more than two years earlier.

MSAU Marines Training

Lets wish them all the best and may they be safe doing their jobs. God-Speed gentlemen!!!

Isaac J. Hall II
Semper Kill

Doctor Visit

I have a friend who had to go to the doctor a few weeks ago. This was because out of nowhere he began to have bad pains and was none stop vomiting. Also felt really weak so I scheduled an appointment with a physician to check him out.

Transcript is as follows:

**Dr: So how we doing today Mr. Struly?? (followed by firm hand-shake).

**Lawrence: I just haven’t had any energy as of late. Been vomiting and feel extremely weak, I’m a bit nervous because I feel that I’m an overall healthy man.

**Dr: Ok, well we pulled your blood, urine and also saliva… (stops talking mid sentence, & now has a shocking look on his face).

**Lawrence: Is everything ok sir???

**Dr: Mr. Struly, lemme ask you a question, how would you explain your sex life???

**Lawrence: I’m sorry I’m a bit confused as to where we’re going with this, do I have an STD????

**Dr: You don’t have an STD, but you do have toxins in your body that have been transmitted through sex. So again Mr. Struly, I ask how is your sex life???

**Lawrence: I mean I think it’s average, about 3-4 days a week. I don’t have multiple partners though. Does my girlfriend have something that I don’t know about???

**Dr: Mr. Struly… I feel compelled to tell you that I served in the Navy, for 13 years. Then I got out and became a physician, now being that you were prior military, I feel I can speak to you this way.

**Lawrence: I’m sorry sir, I’m confused can you just tell me what the deal is please. I’m internally freaking out here…

**Dr: (Rolls eyes and mummers… fucking Marines) Ok Mr. Struly, when we partake in oral, sometimes we forget that there are toxins that have to exit our bodies. Some of these very toxins are microscopic and we’re not to ingest these things as they can do damage to our bodies because they carry bacteria.

**Lawrence: Ok, so  you’re saying I don’t have an STD but I have some form of bacteria from oral??

**Dr: Jesus fuck son!!!! 

I’m trying to explain this shit but you’re not getting it…  Alright how bout this STOP EATING YOUR GIRLFRIENDS ASSHOLE!!! that’s why you got sick. There is microscopic bacteria, that lies there even after washing ourselves.

**Lawrence: So what do I do about this sir???

**Dr: Refrain from eating asshole Mr. Struly, and gargle a few times a day with listerine. You’ll be back to normal in a few days Marine.

**Lawrence: Thank you sir, (gives Lawrence a firm handshake & walks out w/ a smile)

So I’m sitting next to Lawrence thinking to myself would I have taken the ass chewing as well as he did simply because the physician announced he was prior military??? 

Would I have acted different if a normal civilian spoke to me like this?? 

I cant really say to be honest, the only thing I could do was ask Lawrence how he was feeling. He replies by stating the only thing he kept thinking to himself was “damn babe has bacteria… but how, her pussy and ass taste like strawberry gum drops” 

How is this so…

#FuckingMarines 

Military Pay Increase Dropped

Senate had a plan to boost military pay for next year, as well as increasing the end strength of all armed forces. This failed again all because of funding.

The Senate included a 1.6 percent pay raise for all troops next year and billions in new equipment purchases. Republicans feel that the total is still short of what is needed to ensure force readiness for troops.

Democrats in the Senate insisted that a proposal by Sen. John McCain, to add $18 billion to the defense funding plan also be offset by an equal amount of nonmilitary spending. This includes money for cybersecurity efforts, U.S. border security, drug abuse assistance programs etc.

McCain, chairman of the committee, said the funding shortfall for the military poses a national security threat. McCains amendment would have spent the $18 billion on a 2.1 percent pay raise for troops and a boost in Army end strength by 15,000. The other services also would have seen smaller personnel adds, and billions more in new ships and aircraft.

If we oppose extra money, we vote in favor of another year where the pay for our troops does not keep pace with inflation or private-sector averages. We'd be voting in favor of cutting more troops at a time when the operational requirements of our nation’s land forces are growing.

We always hear people say they love the military, everybody loves the military...  Here is the thing though, your love doesn’t help them. Your love doesn’t do or buy anything. If you love these men and women, you will adequately fund their needs in order for them to properly protect us as we walk around in a nonchalant manner like other groups aren't out here trying to hurt us.

Semper Fi

Isaac J. Hall II

2/8 Wpns

Name Change Coming Soon

Representative Walter Jones, of North Carolina, is hoping to get congress to back him yet again. Jones wants to re-designate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. It’s said that the change would affect department titles, such as Navy secretary.

The push to rename the Navy Department has has been ongoing since 2001. It’s been shut down every time it makes its way through the House of Senate. Jones spoke to Marine Corps Times and felt optimistic that the effort would pass however, he is always ready to continue the fight if need be.Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C.

Many are curious if this is the year that Jones will win. He has support in the halls of congress. 98% of the House supported the bill in 2008, while 80% supported a companion bill. In 2010 the House set a record of 400 plus co-sponsors.

Honorable Mention

Marine Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey has been rather outspoken on this particular topic.“When we die, when mama and dada get that letter of condolence, it would be kind of nice if the Marine Corps was mentioned.”

 “These young men and women are fighting and losing their lives for this country. We aren’t asking for our own department. We are reasonable people. We are just asking for an honorable mention.”

Numbers Never Lie

In 2013 the Congressional Budget Office determined the cost change to the name of the department would be less than $500,000.00 a year. This is of course over a figure calculated over several years.

The Marine Corps considers their birth certificate to be Continental Congress resolution penned November 10th 1775. Congress made the Marine Corps an organization in 1798, this was the same year the Navy Department was founded.

All changes to the Navy Department would need to pass the House and also Senate. Lawmakers must reconcile differences between their respective versions of the defense authorization act before the bill is sent to the president and becomes law.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill