USMC SOCOM is called DET1

[Duke]

Since Oct. of last year Marines have been fielding their own SOF. This detachment is simply DET1. Composed of Scout/Snipers and Force Recon this group will be tasked to confront terrorism via floating vessels. Quantico is still developing doctrine, but FR units have attended a portion of BUD/S. And as I type FR is serving in Seal teams.

[Ratamacue]

DET1 isn't only dealing with terrorism, but also Special Reconnaissance, Rapid Direct Action/Raids, among other things. I would say that they are basically a unit very similar to SEALs.

[Jack]

FR missions and training has always closely resembled that of the SEALs. The only thing that has really changed is that now there is going to be a detachment that is under the SOCOM flag.

[Scrim]

I put this on another post, but goto globalspecops.com/msd.html for a brief overview of Det.1.

[JKD]

I found this earlier. Sorry, I'm not too sure how to cut and paste it.
www.strategypage.com/fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=HTINF.HTM

I don't know how accurate it is but basically it says that the Navy and SOCOM are having second thoughts about this new Marine unit. That it duplicates the capabilities of SEALS and Special Forces too much and would rather have a Ranger type unit. Wouldn't they have thought about that before the Marines started training them? I'm no expert but I thought this was less about creating whole new capabilities than adding manpower to SOCOM.
Maybe the Marines could bring back the Raider battalions?

[Ratamacue]

SOCOM already has a Ranger-type unit. It's called the Rangers.

[JKD]

Tell them. I'm just going by what I read in that article.

[96B]

Force Recon already has the capabilities of SEALs as the training is almost identical for the most part. I agree that a new Marine unit may not be totally needed, but I definately think that SOCOM could use the extra help. The already very experienced operators of Force are making up this new unit and personally I think that once their creation is completed and they are officialy active under SOCOM, their operational tempo would be no less than that of SEALs. The SEALs already have been trying to get out of being attached to the MEUs so this time the new Marine unit could possibly be a great replacement. Also the two main advantages of this new unit would be that the Corps still has direct control over its Force units as it feared it would lose if put under SOCOM, but they would now have the ability to operate on new types of missions SOCOM can offer. Both SOCOM and the Corps would greatly benefit from such a unit. I just hope that the inter-service rivalry wont screw up any missions and risk lives like it has in the past by arguements over whose guys are best for what mission. As long as the right guys are given the right job, there should really be nothing but success when one takes into account how good the training is of our SOF.