BeiijuJoin Date: 2015-11-24
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Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Handbook
These are things you need to know to be a Recon Marine, if you think there is better out there, check again.
The 1st Force Reconnaissance Company has six “Parent Divisions” - 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and 3rd Marine Division.
The 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company has a thing called “Parent Command” which was II Marine Expeditionary Force but was disbanded and deactivated in 2006. 2nd Force Recon Company was formed when the executive officer of 1st Force Recon, Captain Joseph Z. Taylor, took half of the Marines from 1st FORECON and brought them to the east coast to the 2nd Amphibious Reconnaissance, located on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 1958, the 2nd FORECON contained a headquarters and service platoon, pathfinder platoon, amphib recon platoon, and a deep recon platoon.
The 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company’s Parent Divisions are Marine Forces Reserve and II Marine Expeditionary Force. 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company was activated, trained, fought and deactivated during the Vietnam War. Activated in September 1965 as one of the first group of add on units to meet demands of operations in the Republic of South Vietnam, 3rd FORECON formed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. and satellite on 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company that was under strength due to the demands for trained Force Recon Marines assigned to 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in country. Facilities, cadre and equipment for training were provided by 2nd FORECON.
The 4th Force Reconnaissance Company had only two Parent Division as well, being Marine Forces Reserve, I Marine Expeditionary Force. The company was activated 10 November 1952 at San Bernardino, California as the 32d Special Infantry Company, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. On 31 October 1957, it was redesignated the 32d Infantry Company and redesignated again on 1 November 1959 as the 4th Reconnaissance Company. On 1 July 1962, it was assigned to Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force. In October 1971, it was relocated to Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor and again in April 1973 to Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. In November 1996, it was relocated to MCB Hawaii with a detachment in Reno, Nevada. The Company headquarters was moved to Alameda, California with a detachment remaining in Hawaii.
The 5th Force Reconnaissance Company was the second FORECON to be deactivated, having only one Parent Command, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
That’s enough about the history for all of the Force Reconnaissance Companies. Back to the one that matters.
1st Force Reconnaissance Company
Green Operations
Green Operations are the principal of FORECON, to collect any pertinent intelligence of military importance, observe, identify, and report adversaries to MAGTF commanders. Like Division Recon (also known as the Marine Recon Battalions), they employ a mixed element of amphibious reconnaissance and ground reconnaissance. These missions are known as Green Operations.
The United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance detachments, or FORECON, operate in deep reconnaissance, direct action, and the control of supporting arms; to convey military intelligence beyond the means of a commander's area of influence in the battlefield. They are capable of operating independently in combined methods of amphibious and ground operations by utilizing methods of conventional and unconventional warfare in defense of the United States.
Although Force Recon has never been part of the United States Special Operations Command, their missions slightly differentiate themselves from other United States Special Operations Forces units. Colloquially, they are specialized in all tactical areas of warfare. Force Recon will train with other Special Operations forces, such as, United States Navy SEALs, United States Army Special Forces, and United States Air Force Pararescue, in order to master all skill sets. The Marine Corps has seen fit to train versatile specialists rather than specialists in individual areas of combat.
Black Operations
Black Operations are the missions that require direct action (DA). They are the opposite of green operations missions, where the Force Recon operators basically "look for trouble." Depending on the situation and the target location, the FORECON operators usually conduct direct action missions within the artillery and naval gun support fan; these operations demonstrate "small-scale" shock and awe.
Examples are the seizures and occupation of gas/oil platforms (GOPLAT) and the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) of ships during Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), as well as orchestrating close air support, a vital skill exercised in DA missions; Force Recon operators forward observe from static positions and spider holes for artillery and naval gunfire support, or ordnance and payload delivery.They provide Personal Security Detail (PSD) for critically important personnel. They are capable of performing In-Extremis Hostage Rescue (IHR.)
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 ###t 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.
Made by Evie K. Trudeau
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