Marine Special Operations Group | |
---|---|
Active | April 18, 1995 - present |
Country | Philippines |
Branch | Philippine Marine Corps |
Type | Special Operations Forces |
Size | 500 (2004) [1] |
Part of | Special Operations Command (Philippines) and Philippine Marine Corps |
Garrison/HQ | Marine Barracks, Bonifacio Naval Base, Makati |
Nickname(s) | Force Recon |
Motto(s) | Swift, Silent, Deadly |
Mascot(s) | Lightning & Dagger |
Anniversaries | April 18 |
Engagements |
|
Decorations | Presidential Streamer Award |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
|
Insignia | |
Marine Force Recon Qualification Badge | |
Naval Parachutist Badge |
The Marine Special Operations Group (also known as the Force Reconnaissance Group), formerly known as the Force Recon Battalion or FRBn, [1] is the Philippine Marine Corps' elite special forces unit for unconventional warfare and special operations.
It specializes in sea, air and land operations, like its counterpart in the Naval Special Operations Command of the Philippine Navy, ranging from reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence and underwater operations in support to the overall naval operations. [2]
The MARSOG was established in the 1950s as the Scout Raider Platoon. [1] On August 19, 1972, which was first known as the 1st Reconnaissance Unit, Recon Company. [3]
In 1985, it was reformed as the 61st Marine (Recon) Company. [1]
As part of the ongoing expansion and modernization of the entire Armed Forces, the FRBn was officially renamed in April 2018 as the Marine Special Operations Group. Plans are ongoing to expand the unit's capabilities. [4]
MSOG operators are usually airborne and Scout Ranger qualified, and most importantly they must finish the Force Reconnaissance Course to qualify. [2] They also undergo Jungle Environment Survival Training. [5]
Training lasts for six months, which is followed by a test mission, which is usually a combat operation. [6] 60 prospective Marine candidates are usually in these courses. [7]
Force Reconnaissance (FORECON) are United States Marine Corps deep reconnaissance companies that supply military intelligence to the command element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Force Reconnaissance companies unlike USMC division reconnaissance report to the Marine expeditionary force (MEF) and provide direct action and deep reconnaissance during large-scale operations.
A long-range reconnaissance patrol, or LRRP, is a small, well-armed reconnaissance team that patrols deep in enemy-held territory.
Jungle warfare or woodland warfare is warfare in forests, jungles, or similar environments. The term encompasses military operations affected by the terrain, climate, vegetation, and wildlife of densely-wooded areas, as well as the strategies and tactics used by military forces in these situations and environments.
The United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions are the special operations assets of Marine Air-Ground Task Force that provide division-level ground and amphibious reconnaissance to the Ground Combat Element within the United States Marine Corps. Division reconnaissance teams are employed to observe and report on enemy activity and other information of military significance in close operations. The Military Occupational Specialty code for Reconnaissance Marine is 0321.
1st Reconnaissance Battalion is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It is a stand-alone battalion with no parent regiment. Instead, it falls directly under the command of the 1st Marine Division. 1st Recon Bn is located at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.
The 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. Located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the battalion falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Division and the II Marine Expeditionary Force.
The 4th Reconnaissance Battalion is a reserve reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It falls under the 4th Marine Division and Marine Forces Reserve.
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) is a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special operations missions.
A Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman (SARC) is a United States Navy hospital corpsman who provides MARSOC and other USSOCOM units advanced trauma management associated with combatant diving and parachute entry. Traditionally, they are attached to the Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance companies to help support the Command Element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force in special reconnaissance missions.
The reconnaissance mission within the United States Marine Corps is divided into two distinct but complementary aspects; Marine Division Recon and Force Reconnaissance.
The United States Marine Corps Scout and Sniper companies and the Scouts (Tank) companies of the tank battalions were the first among the division's reconnaissance assets. They existed around the same exact moment when 1st and 2nd Marine Division were created. In 1941, each regiment had a scout and sniper platoon. They were assigned to the regimental Headquarters and Service Company. These companies were used in variety of tasks and, on occasion in severe combat, were used as "spare" rifle companies. When 6th Marine Division deactivated after the end of World War II, its recon assets also deactivated. Only the current Marine Division Recon Battalions that exist today hold history reference to the Scout and Sniper Companies.
1st Force Reconnaissance Company conducted deep reconnaissance and direct action raids in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force requirements across the range of military operations to include crisis response, expeditionary operations and major combat operations. 1st Force Recon Company was deactivated on 26 October 2006 and the majority of the personnel were used to establish the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion.
The Second Force Reconnaissance Company was the deep reconnaissance/direct action that was assigned to the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and its subordinate elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
The Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) is a Special Operations Forces unit of the Philippine Army. The unit is based on and continually trains with its American counterpart, the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets).
Ground Intelligence Officer is a primary military occupation code of a U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer. Ground intelligence officers serve as staff officers and commanders in the operating forces and are responsible for analyzing intelligence and planning, deployment and tactical employment of ground surveillance and reconnaissance units. The Ground Intelligence Officer can be a Recon Marine after their training is done.
Air force ground forces and special forces are the land warfare forces of an air force. They may include infantry, special forces, security forces, and military police. Airmen assigned to such units may be trained, armed and equipped for ground combat and special operations.
A combat support company (CSC) is a company-echelon unit in some United States Army infantry battalion organizations which consolidates combat support elements of the battalion under a company headquarters.
The Reconnaissance Battalion or RECON is an elite recon battalion in the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), falling under the Royal Thai Marine Division. A special operations forces unit, it is capable of conducting land, maritime, and air operations.