Secretary of Defense Approves Marine Special Operations Command

[USMC8541]

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2005/nr20051101-5027.html

No. 1127-05
IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2005
Secretary of Defense Approves Marine Special Operations Command

The Secretary of Defense approved a joint recommendation by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Marine Corps to create a Marine special operations command as a component of USSOCOM.



The Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) will enhance Marine Corps and USSOCOM interoperability and provide USSOCOM greater flexibility and increased capability to fight the war on terrorism.



The MARSOC will be organized in three subordinate elements – the Marine Special Operations Regiment, the Foreign Military Training Unit and the Marine Special Operations Support Group – with an authorized strength of approximately 2,600 Marines. While an activation date for the new command has not been determined, Marine Brig. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik has been selected as its first commander.



The mission of the MARSOC headquarters will be to organize, man, train and equip Marine Special Operations Forces. The command’s subordinate units will provide training to foreign military units and perform specific special operations missions. The command will also have the capability to provide intelligence, logistics and fire support coordination to joint special operation task forces.



MARSOC headquarters, the Foreign Military Training Unit and the Marine Special Operations Support Group will be stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The Marine Special Operations Regiment will also be headquartered at Camp Lejeune with an additional element stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

[Hiroshima]

In other words, the Marine special forces are finally in SOCOM's grasp now since the establishment in Kennedy's presidency.

[Hellfish]

I thought SOCOM was established in '84 or so. The Special Forces were established in Kennedy's tenure, though.

[Bluezoo]

Hmmm, wouldn't this be an elite group in an already elite branch in the armed forces?

[ed316]

Hmmm, wouldn't this be an elite group in an already elite branch in the armed forces?


Marines are fanatical about protecting their own (I'm a former Marine) They'll use this command to support more direct action and recon for the fleet especially for the MEU's (strength of about 2,200 personnel, the MEU is normally built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and a MEU service support group. It is commanded by a colonel and is routinely deployed with an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) to form a forward deployed, sea-based, naval expeditionary force). Remember there is always a couple of MEU sailing the high seas at all time. by relying on a command in Florida will probably create more red tape. This will probably get things to go faster.:)

[Bluezoo]

OK. Thanks Ed.