Story by Henry Rodriguez.

A team of Marine Raiders recently completed a jungle tracking and mobility course as part of their pre-deployment training program.

The course, administered by instructors from the Tactical Tracking Operations School, teaches mobility in a jungle environment, rope and rappel work, jungle tracking, and anti-tracking techniques.

For roughly two weeks, the team worked on enhancing these skills to be able to effectively operate in a jungle environment while deployed.

“Looking at the Pacific and deployments in that region, learning these skills is essential,” said a critical skills operator. “For so long we trained for desert environments and now we have to look at where we could be needed next, and the jungle is top of that list.”

Since 2015, TTOS has been offering some manner of jungle training for U.S. Special Operations Command units, and in 2021, upon the arrival of their current vice president, Cody Carroll, the program began to evolve into what it is today.

Photo: Marine Raiders with Marine Forces Special Operations Command maneuver to engage targets on a cover shoot during a jungle mobility course, Aug. 8, 2023. Marine Raiders in the training program learned to maneuver in a jungle environment, conceal their movements, and track adversary movements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez)

“My last deployment as a reconnaissance officer was to the Pacific region,” said Carroll. “Through my own research and training, I realized most units didn’t have the hard skills or training to succeed in this environment.”

The creation of the current course was not about creating a new, innovative program, but more about getting back to how historical forces would have trained.

“These same problems that we have now: low visibility, difficulty for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, broken communications, and logistical issues, they all existed for troops during WWII and Vietnam,” Carroll said. “We didn’t need to reinvent the wheel, just build the skills that we stopped training because we spent 20 years in the desert.”

Throughout the two weeks, the team trained in every aspect of jungle mobility. They had to navigate thick brush, scale and rappel cliff faces, and traverse rivers and other water features. All while either tracking an adversary or preventing an adversary from being able to track them.

Photo: A Marine Raider with Marine Forces Special Operations Command traverses a river during a jungle mobility course, Aug. 4, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez)

They also spent time learning jungle specific counter improvised explosive device techniques, reaction to contact in dense vegetation, and setting and countering ambushes.

“You see guys that are newer to the team start out very hesitant in these different drills and in tracking,” said a CSO. “By the end of it, the confidence is through the roof, you’ll see those same guys find a track and maneuver the jungle like they’ve been doing it their whole lives.”

The course culminates with an exercise designed to last up to 72 hours where the students are ambushed by an adversary and must regroup and utilize their command and control to organize tracking teams to capture the adversary using all of the tracking and mobility techniques learned over the two weeks.

The team all responded positively to the training, praising its effectiveness and the foundation it provides for SOF units to build upon as they deploy to regions where this sort of mobility is needed.

“I’ve been through this training with two teams now and both experiences were beneficial to everyone on the team,” a CSO said. “I really think every company that can deploy to a jungle environment should come do this training. It’s invaluable.”

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This story by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez II of the Marine Forces, Special Operations Command was first published on September 11, 2023, by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: A Marine Raider with Marine Forces Special Operations Command navigates a single rope bridge during a jungle mobility course, Aug. 4, 2023. Marine Raiders in the training program learned to maneuver in a jungle environment, conceal their movements, and track adversary movements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez)

By Ethan Green.

A Marine Raider with Marine Forces Special Operations Command participated in the French Foreign Legion’s Jaguar Course, Feb. 19 – April 14, 2023.

The Jaguar Course is an international, eight-week jungle warfare course held in the French Guiana rainforest. This course was taught exclusively in French, testing participants’ language skills on top of the physical demands of intense training in a jungle environment.

“My initial language was Egyptian Arabic, so I had to learn any French I could in the eight weeks heads up I had before attending the course,” said the Marine Raider, a critical skills operator. “Before I headed down there, the language program got me to a 1+/1+ in speaking/listening on the books. I think it proved that we could find unique training opportunities, regardless of the native language spoken, and use the language program to get us to speak what we need in environments that are otherwise hard to simulate in the States.”

All critical skills operators are assigned an initial core language determined by their Defense Language Aptitude Battery score and any prior language experience they may have. The Marine Raider Regiment’s Language Program seeks out training opportunities like the Jaguar Course to further sustain and improve individual language skills.

“Having a robust language system to enable us to be linguistically self-sustainable in unique training environments gives us limitless training opportunities, which in turn enhances our real-world capabilities,” said the Marine Raider. 
The Jaguar Course is open to a diverse spectrum of students from conventional to special operations forces across NATO and non-NATO countries. This iteration included two Marine Corps volunteers, a scout sniper from 1st Battalion, 8th Marines and a MARSOC critical skills operator.

“Working with other nations in the jungle environment brought me to the realization of a quote my Team Chief often uses – ‘The Jungle is Neutral,’” said the Marine Raider. “It comes from a book written by Freddie Chapman, a British officer who had to survive in the jungles of Malaysia to evade the Japanese invasion in WWII.”

The Marine Raider said success came down to discipline in routine and proactive care procedures. The course consists of four phases – acclimatization, hardening, combatives, and evaluation.

“The jungle training environment cannot be simulated and must be trained in its most authentic, most challenging regions, such as South America or Asia,” said the Marine Raider. “The jungle environment is equally extremely difficult for survivability as it is plentiful in resources. But you can only learn to mitigate all the little unexpected hardships and gain from the subtle resources by conducting realistic training before being flung into wartime as Chapman did.”

The Marine Raider said the Centre d’Entraînement à la Forêt Équatoriale provided an excellent training environment for jungle warfare and is an ideal facility for future combined training exchanges or bilateral training opportunities between Marine Special Operations Teams and the French Foreign Legion.

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This story by Sgt. Ethan Green, MARSOC, was first published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on August 24, 2023. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: A Marine Raider with Marine Forces Special Operations Command participates in an obstacle course during the French Foreign Legion’s Jaguar Course at French Guiana, Feb 19 – April 14, 2023. The Jaguar Course is an international course consisting of eight weeks designed to train platoon-level tactics in the jungle environment. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo, April 14, 2023)

By Henry Rodriguez.

Before heading out on any deployment, Marine Corps units are required to conduct a pre-deployment training cycle. What this cycle looks like varies greatly depending on the unit, mission, and requirements. For Marine Raiders with Marine Forces Special Operations Command, it includes both individual and unit-level training. Part of that unit-level training is the exercise known as Exercise Raven.

Exercise Raven is a company level unit readiness exercise, designed to evaluate Marine Special Operations Companies and their teams. MSOCs are tested and evaluated on a vast number of potentialities that they could see in a deployed theater.

“Through Raven, the company is able to establish connection points and refine processes that enhance our effectiveness,” said a U.S. Marine critical skills operator.

In addition to honing in on the attributes and capabilities within the teams and companies, other units are integrated to improve the MSOC’s ability to be a connecting force beyond its own structure. Past iterations have collaborated with foreign partners, units from the Fleet Marine Force, Marine Forces Reserve, and members of the joint force.

Recently, Marines with 4th Marine Division, British Commandos, and French soldiers with 6th Light Armoured Brigade worked side by side in a simulated combat theater conducting operations in tandem with one another to achieve a collective goal.

Marines from the MSOC trained to coordinate with a Special Operations Task Force to handle the moving pieces of internal and external forces operating in conjunction with one another, much as they would on an actual deployment.

“Working with our conventional forces and foreign partners just increases our ability to integrate while deployed,” said a critical skills operator. “And them being here just shows their commitment to strengthening that relationship.”

During the exercise, a single MSOC will be given an ever-evolving problem set in which they must effectively utilize their assets and work with partners to solve. As they begin to work through the situation and begin actions on targets, the battlespace and problem set changes, and leaders within the teams and company need to be able to improvise and adjust. The issues that arise are designed to require the company to leverage and utilize all of MARSOC’s capabilities.

The entire time this plays out, members of the exercise control monitor and evaluate the companies to give live feedback to those leaders and better prepare them for their upcoming deployment. In addition, evaluators from the various partner force units attend to observe their training and increase interoperability with MARSOC.

“Being able to evaluate our guys while working with MARSOC and exchanging best practices is great,” said a British Commando and evaluator who recently attended Ex. Raven. “I think there is a lot of benefit to working together.”

Exercise Raven gives live feedback up and down the echelons of command. From the individual critical skills operator to the company commander, every member of the company has something to gain from the training and evaluations provided by Ex. Raven as they prepare to step out and travel overseas for deployment.

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This story by Cpl Henry Rodriguez II of MARSOC was first published on August 1, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Marine Forces Reserve, conduct a direct action raid under the supervision and training of Marine Raiders with Marine Forces Special Operations Command during Exercise Raven, a unit readiness exercise, May 25, 2023. Exercise Raven is a training exercise held to evaluate all aspects of a Marine Special Operations Company prior to a special operations deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez)

Story by Maj. Mathhew Finnerty, MARSOC.

The Cognitive Raider – a foundational concept established with the development and publication of Marine Special Operations Forces 2030 – encompasses the requirement to develop qualities of intellect, judgement, creativity, and teamwork in future Marine Raiders while maintaining the determination and endurance which serve as hallmarks of current success. MARSOF 2030 identified four innovation pathways including the Cognitive Raider, which applies both to the individual and the collective capabilities of the team. It also serves as a challenging imperative as thinking Marine Raiders provide the foundation for developing and sustaining a learning organization like Marine Forces Special Operations Command.

While MARSOC continues to examine, improve, and validate its training to provide high-performing MARSOF, the command also began an annual educational symposium to advance critical and creative thinking around topics vital to the future operating environment. The inaugural Cognitive Raider Symposium took place in 2019 when Marine Raiders partnered with the Naval Postgraduate School’s Defense Analysis Department to examine irregular warfare. Since the first symposium, MARSOC partnered with NPS on subsequent themes covering great power competition and enterprise-level agility as the yearly topic changed to align with current MARSOC, Special Operations Command, Marine Corps, and Department of Defense initiatives.

This year’s fifth iteration scheduled for June 22, 2023, explores What Winning Looks Like in integrated deterrence. The main symposium serves as a culmination of several events throughout the past year including education seminars led by the U.S. Agency for International Development, former Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller, and Army special forces veteran John Stryker Meyer. These quarterly events brought together historical perspectives, interagency partners, and distinguished visitors while ensuring Marine Raiders remain engaged throughout the year regardless of their ability to attend the main symposium.

“The ‘warm-start’ events facilitated a culture of learning throughout the year by exposing our Marine Raiders to experts, opinions, and concepts from across a spectrum of topics valuable to special operations and directly linked to What Winning Looks Like,” said the CRS ‘23 lead planner. “As an ambidextrous organization, accomplishing the mission today while experimenting and innovating for future success, MARSOC must focus on unique education opportunities to diversify our way of thinking and provide the most capable MARSOF in support of SOCOM and the joint force.”

What Winning Looks Like encompasses a holistic evaluation of future missions and requirements for MARSOF and how MARSOC positions itself to prepare its personnel to succeed in a rapidly evolving global security environment. For the command, this includes the further implementation of strategic shaping and reconnaissance and development of littoral irregular warfare and littoral special reconnaissance to ensure MARSOC remains relevant in littoral special operations. Given the urgency to modernize the force in anticipation of that future, What Winning Looks Like contains implications for short and long-term capabilities, organization, missions, and partnerships of significant interest to Marine Raiders and SOF overall.

To explore, evaluate, and innovate with regard to MARSOC’s posture to win now and in the future, CRS ‘23 will include education sessions, keynote speakers, and discussion panels focused on What Winning Looks Like. Structured to provide value for all MARSOC personnel, including service members, civilians, and contractors of all ranks, the symposium will prove valuable to participants from SOCOM and the Marine Corps as well.

“Marine Raiders, and our partners across the SOCOM enterprise, will leave CRS ‘23 with a more robust understanding of MARSOC’s contributions to winning in the future as well as experiencing the opportunity to directly impact that future state,” said the lead planner. “Each year that we host this event, and the numerous events leading up to the symposium, ensures that our people foster a creative and critical-thinking mindset while expanding the aperture of knowledge at the lowest levels.”

In addition, the symposium will take time to recognize the winners of the Cognitive Raider essay contest which asks authors to examine topics including how MARSOC contributes to winning as part of SOCOM, how organizational culture contributes to future success, and what initiatives best posture the command to address upcoming operational requirements. Past winners came from across the ranks of MARSOC and the symposium allowed authors to present transformational ideas to the larger force.

The Cognitive Raider concept and its supporting educational and training events such as CRS ‘23 directly contribute to the First SOF Truth – humans are more important than hardware. As MARSOC and SOF operate in a constantly evolving global security environment requiring urgent modernization across the force, the capabilities of a creative and strategic thinking individual provide an outsized impact on mission accomplishment and the success of the team.

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This story by Maj. Matthew Finnerty, Marine Forces, Special Operations Command, was first published on March 30, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: Marines with Hotel Company, 2nd Raider Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, carry a Zodiac Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat into the surf at Onslow Beach on base, March 28, 2017. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Corinne Zilnicki, U.S Coast Guard).

Story by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez II.

During its 17th anniversary on Feb. 24, 2023, Marine Forces Special Operations Command and the Marine Raiders that fill its ranks celebrated a history and legacy that extends beyond the most recent years as a service component under U.S. Special Operations Command.

Dating back to Feb. 16, 1942, with the establishment of 1st Raider Battalion in World War II, Marines consistently participated in and shaped special operations. 1st Raider Battalion, along with 2nd, 3rd and 4th Raider Battalions, proved essential in the Pacific theater providing a unique skillset and operational capability that differed from conventional Marine units at the time. Even with the success of the Marine Raiders during WWII, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division assumed command of the four Raider battalions and aligned them to a more conventional mission in February 1944.

While Marines assisted or participated in special operations in various capacities throughout the next 60 years, the Marine Corps would not establish a dedicated special operations unit until after 9/11. Up until that time though, Marine Force Reconnaissance and the innovations of units such as Marine Corps Test Unit 1, which developed specialized tactics and techniques including employment concepts for relatively new rotary-wing aviation, carried on the legacy of the Marine Raiders.

Once the Global War on Terrorism began, then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the creation of a Marine Corps component in SOCOM. This began with Detachment One, a pilot program made up of predominately Force Reconnaissance Marines and support staff who operated alongside Navy SEALs from Naval Special Warfare Group One.

Following Det One’s successes in Iraq, the Marine Corps officially activated MARSOC on Feb. 24, 2006. The 2,500-person command, pulled largely from Force Reconnaissance units on both coasts and deployed its first units within six months of its creation. MARSOC would later expand and redesignate its units as Marine Raiders in honor of its WWII heritage.

“The unconquerable spirit of our people builds on the foundation and legacy of Marines throughout our history,” said Maj. Gen. Matthew Trollinger, MARSOC Commander. “Our Marine Corps and Marine Raider heritage shapes the way we attack unique problems with novel and innovative approaches grounded in our ties to the littorals and expeditionary, amphibious operations.”

Moving forward while honoring the legacy of the Marine Raiders of the past, MARSOC remains focused on achieving success. As the 21st century battlefield rapidly evolves and the need for multi-domain special operations capabilities increases in an ever-changing global landscape, the command continues to adapt to meet new threats.

“Looking to the future,” stated Trollinger, “MARSOC will pursue strategic shaping and reconnaissance in the littorals; experiment, innovate, and evolve faster than adversary comprehension and adaptation; and create a more capable, professional, and effective force to fight and win around the globe if required.”

Prioritizing SSR in the littorals will ensure that MARSOC achieves success across the joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational environment. By developing
special operations elements to conduct activities to gain awareness of adversary intentions and capabilities, Marine Raiders will deter, disrupt, or increase current and future adversary risk.

At the core of MARSOC’s SSR focus stands capable Marine Raiders able to outmaneuver adversary forces by employing a range of skillsets. These skillsets, when employed by special operations officers, critical skills operators, special operations capability specialists, and the many servicemembers and civilians which comprise the command, exponentially increase unit performance as the demands of SSR transform MARSOC into a littoral special operations force of the future.

“Each and every person in MARSOC contributes to our Marine Raider legacy by bringing diverse experiences and skillsets that contribute to solving today’s challenges and tomorrow’s problems,” concluded Trollinger. “We remain focused on our role in shaping that future as a highly motivated team committed to providing high-performing Marine special operations forces to achieve global mission success.”

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This story by Cpl Henry Rodriguez II of Maraine Forces, Special Operations Command was first published on March 30, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: Marine Raiders rehearse advanced military free fall jumps at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 1, 2021. Military free fall sustainment training is necessary for a Marine special operations team to stay proficient and ready at all times for future operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ethan Green)

Story by Sgt. Jesula Jeanlouis.

Marine Forces Special Operations Command hosted a change of command ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 23, 2022. Major General James F. Glynn relinquished his duties as the commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command to Major General Matthew G. Trollinger.

The senior officer in attendance was General David H. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Also in attendance was U.S. Army General Richard D. Clarke, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, previous commanders of MARSOC, and various dignitaries from the local government.

Presiding over the ceremony, General Berger said, “There is a time when the right person comes in at exactly the right time and has the courage to look at what you [have to] do right now, but also where they have to be in the future, that has been General Glynn and Denise.”

Glynn took the helm as MARSOC’s eighth commander on June 26, 2020, returning to MARSOC after previously serving as the commanding officer of the Marine Raider Training Center from 2011-2013.

“As I turn over the colors today,” continued Glynn, “somebody asked what’s it like? Somewhere between excitement and pride is what I could describe, as you hold the flag and let go. Pride in knowing that that formation, in two-years’ time will not look like this. I couldn’t be more excited to hand this over and know that this place is going to be different. And by being different, it’s going to be better.”

Trollinger assumes command after serving his previous tour as the deputy director, Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

“To the Marines and Sailors of the command, I’m just so grateful,” said Trollinger. “[I have] a lot of pride and humility to stand in front of this formation with you. As has been stated, we’re in a number of areas right now doing a number of different things in pursuit of our national security interests. And as General Glynn mentioned, the command is doing great things moving us into the future and Nancy and I are tremendously proud to be back here and leading this organization.”

As the MARSOC Commander, Trollinger will be responsible for manning, training, and equipping Marine Raiders for deployments in support of special operations missions across the globe. MARSOC maintains a continuous deployed presence in the areas of operations for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.

“I believe that MARSOC has and will continue to play a critical role in your vision for the Marine Corps into the future and I do believe that when any of our components, whether be the [Air Force] or Navy, Army or Marine Corps, are closest to their services, it makes us collectively better, and it makes SOCOM a better headquarters going forward.” said Clarke.

MARSOC is the Marine Corps service component of U.S. Special Operations Command and was activated Feb. 24, 2006. Since then, MARSOC has deployed continuously in support of special operations forces worldwide. MARSOC’s current missions include counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, foreign internal defense, and preparation of the environment.

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This story by Sgt. Jesula Jeanlouis of MARSOC was first published on May 26, 2022 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS publishes content in the public domain.

Photo: Sgt. Maj. Anthony J. Loftus, Marine Forces Special Operations Command Sgt. Maj., passes the organizational colors to Maj. Gen. James F. Glynn, outgoing MARSOC Commander, during a change of command ceremony, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 23, 2022. The change of command ceremony represents the transition of command and responsibility of MARSOC from Maj. Gen. James F. Glynn to Maj. Gen. Matthew G. Trollinger. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Tia Nagle)

Marine Raiders recently completed a series of pre-deployment training exercises in Tennessee in the spring of 2021. The RAVEN exercises are used by Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) to train and evaluate Marine Special Operations Companies (MSOC) and Marine Special Operations Teams (MSOT). The exercises present the Marine Raider units the opportunity to prove their proficiency in a large number of skill sets that may be employed during future deployments.

The Exercise RAVEN training is conducted every spring and fall at various locations throughout the United States. Usually they are conducted in the Kentucky-Tennessee or the Gulf Coast regions. Typically the spring and fall events each have 3 cycles, for a total of six RAVEN exercises a year. Each cycle is about ten days long – putting one Marine Special Operations Company and its Marine Special Operations Teams through the training. There are times that a battalion-sized unit plays in the exercise – once in the spring and once in the fall. These battalion-sized units usually are a MARSOC battalion or Army Special Forces battalion. These battalions are in the role of a higher headquarters with command and control (C2) of the MSOC and some additional notional SOF units and many times are undergoing predeployment training as well. When a SOF battalion is not physically present for the exercise then a notional higher headquarters is stood up for C2 of the MSOC. From time to time other SOF units will also participate in the exercise – such as a Special Forces operational detachment.

In addition to the MSOC and MSOTs, the exercises have supporting and enabling units and individuals participating. Marines from various units of the Fleet Marine Force participate in the training. For one of the exercises conducted this spring Marines with Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion were in a supporting role. The Reconnaissance Marines provided persistent near real-time ground reconnaissance and battlespace shaping capability utilizing various insertion and extraction techniques to include military freefall parachuting. 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment also supported the RAVEN exercise – some playing the role of partner-nation forces.

Photo: U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (3/2), 2d Marine Division, and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), board a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook as a part of Exercise Raven 2-21 in Nashville, Tenn., May 21, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)

In one training cycle this past spring U.S. Army Special Forces provided a contingent that acted as peer-to-peer competition. The SF element was gathering intelligence on the Marine Raiders and attempting to disrupt the MSOC’s operations. The Special Forces unit employed surveillance, counter surveillance, and electronic warfare tactics as well as other special forces operational tactics and techniques.

The RAVEN exercise has a number of vignettes that cover a broad range of operations – to include interoperability with partner nation forces, interagency coordination, and joint operations. The scenario of the exercise places the Marine Raiders on a long deployment in a notional country, working with a partner nation force. The MSOC and MSOTs are presented with a number of situations that require intelligence gathering, information operations, training host-nations forces, direct action, raids, reconnaissance, and interagency coordination. The fully-enabled MSOTs are able to exercise almost all of their special operations capabilities during the exercise. Some of the enablers working with the MSOC and MSOTs include intelligence specialists, canine teams, and explosive ordnance technicians. The exercise is supported by other military units to include aviation assets, drones, and more.

The RAVEN exercise was started in 2012 and has become increasingly complex over the past several years. The exercise is typically the last in a series of training evolutions in a six-month long training cycle that a Marine Raider company will execute to prepare for an overseas deployment. The exercise is supported by other Marine Corps units as well as a robust Exercise Control Group and mentor-evaluators.

Photo: U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (3/2), 2d Marine Division, provide security during Exercise Raven 2-21 in Nashville, Tenn., May 22, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)

Before assignment to a Raider unit Marines must successfully complete the MARSOC assessment and selection course. They then attend a 7-month long Individual Training Course (ITC) with 4 phases: basic skills, small unit tactics, close quarter battle, and irregular warfare. The ITC culminates with “Operation Derna Bridge” which requires the students to use all the skills mastered throughout the course. A video produced for MARSOC (2012, 4 mins) provides a brief introduction to the training and mission of the operators of the Marine Raider units.

After graduating from ITC the Marines are designated Critical Skills Operators or Special Operations Officers. They are capable of executing complex, distributed operations in uncertain environments. The Marine Raider companies are enabled by support Marines who attend advanced training and schools that prepare them to serve as Special Operations Capability Specialists or SOCS.

MARSOC recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in February 2021. At that time the Marine Corps combined several specialized units to establish MARSOC. The establishment of MARSOC is discussed in a video by the Global SOF Foundation.

Exercise RAVEN is a key training event that tests the Marine Special Operations Company and Marine Special Operations Teams in their level of proficiency to accomplish their mission. The exercise has evolved over the past few years in light of the shift in focus of the U.S. military from counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations to ‘great power competition’. The exercise prepares units that are deploying in support of Theater Special Operations Commands and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Forces across the globe.

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Top Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jeffrey Profitt Jr., a rifleman, and Lance Cpl. Ethan Sheffey, a mortarman, both with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (3/2), 2d Marine Division, patrol through technical terrain during Exercise Raven in Nashville, Tenn., May 29, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)

References: Some of the information in this article came from “Full Spectrum: Marine Raiders Certified for Deployment Through RAVEN Exercise”, by Cpl. Brennan Priest, Marine Forces Command, 23 June 2021. Additional information acquired through DoD media outlets and other open source media platforms.

Video: Watch Full Spectrum: Marine Raiders Certified for Deployment Through RAVEN Exercise. Video produced by MARSOC, June 28, 2021, 3 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CZ0kx0vngk

Story by Sgt. Jesula Jeanlouis, MARSOC, Feb 22, 2021.

Marines with Marine Forces Special Operations Command celebrate the 15th anniversary of the organization, Feb. 22, 2021.

Fifteen years ago, the Marine Corps combined several of its specialized and uniquely trained units to become pioneers in a new chapter of Marine Corps history within Special Operations Command. While MARSOC can still be considered a relatively young unit, the history of Marine Corps specialized forces can be traced back much further than 2006.

The original Marine Raiders date back to World War II when the Marines were called on to solve complex problems posed by our nation’s adversaries. These specially trained Marines helped turn the tide in the early stages against the imperial Japanese Army. In honor and recognition of those that came before, the Marine Corps officially re-designated those serving with MARSOC as Marine Raiders in 2015.

MARSOC was created Feb. 24, 2006 by the Marine Corps at the request of U.S. Special Operations Command to execute unconventional missions in a variety of environments. At its inception, MARSOC was composed of senior Force Reconnaissance Marines that stood up 1st and 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalions under the new Marine Special Operations Advisor Group. These Marines brought decades of combat experience to the newly created unit from their time with the Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable Teams.

The first commander of MARSOC, Lieutenant General Dennis J. Hejlik, was unable to attend the event due to weather but passed on his remarks to commemorate the fifteen-year milestone. “As MARSOC enters it’s 16th year, it’s important to know and understand the history of this exceptional group of warriors, where you came from, why and how.” Hejlik’s words continued to be read, “You have become the go-to Special Operations Force in the battlefield and are becoming world renown as America’s finest and most intelligent warriors with unparalleled technology, intelligence gathering and dissemination to many controlled surveillance, direct action and training techniques.”

MARSOC remains unique in how they build a fully capable special operations company. MARSOC utilizes the skills already found in the Fleet Marine Force by augmenting support Marines with advanced training and schools and preparing them to serve as Special Operations Capability Specialists. These SOCS then attach to and train with the companies in order to deploy as a fully enabled and capable unit.

MARSOC’s accomplishments over the last year include support to 13 named operations across 18 countries. While forward deployed, Raiders were called upon to respond to emerging situations and support regional partners in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Distributed teams supported diverse and complex missions in conflict zones and assisted in setting the conditions for integrated warfighting capacity of special operations forces, conventional forces, regional partner forces and allies adept in meeting the nation’s requirements in conflict and competition.

Major General James F. Glynn, MARSOC commander, spoke of the accomplishments of MARSOC as well as his vision for the future, “We recognized that the strength of our organization would be the drive and the pride, the character, the esprit and the commitment to be the best. You all represent and are setting the conditions like those 15 years ago, that will stand here 15 years from now and profess with pride all that has been achieved.”

The fighting characteristics of the WWII Raiders and their unconquerable spirit will live on in the modern era as MARSOC proudly carries the Raider tradition into the twenty-first century. “Marines are who we are. Special operations are what we do.” This mantra points to the foundational experiences that unite all Marine Raiders.

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Photo: MARSOC Marine from Special Operations Task Force West provides security at LZ in Nahr-e-Saraj district, Helmand province. (Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally, 28 Mar 2012).

Story: This story was originally published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) and is in the public domain. Story by Sgt. Jesula Jeanlouis, Marine Forces, Special Operations Command, February 22, 2021 entitled Marine Forces Special Operations Command Celebrates 15th Anniversary.

Marine Raiders of the Second Marine Raider Battalion were awarded medals for heroic action during a fierce firefight in Afghanistan in 2019. The awards were presented during a ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on July 10, 2020. The names of the Marines were not released due to the sensitive nature of their special operations mission.

The MARSOC team was engaged by enemy combatants during a heliborne raid in enemy-controlled territory in southern Afghanistan. The awards were presented by Major General James Glynn, the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) commander.

One Marine Raider was awarded the Silver Star. He led his team of Marine Raiders and Afghan soldiers during four hours of combat with Taliban fighters who were occupying defensive strongholds. The Team Chief lead an assault over 30 meters of open terrain while under enemy fire to attack insurgents entrenched in a bunker. He also exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a wounded Afghan soldier to a covered position. The team engaged the enemy with rifle fire and hand grenades.

One Critical Skills Operator, one Special Operations Capability Specialist, and one Special Operations Officer were awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for their actions. Four other Marine Raiders were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor.

The Marine Raiders were under constant enemy fire for four hours. They repeatedly exposed themselves to Taliban rifle fire. The Marine Raider team were able to defeat the Taliban force that included three high-value enemy commanders.

Throughout the four-hour close combat engagement, multiple team members bravely exposed themselves to enemy fire and employed small arms fire, fragmentation grenades, and shoulder-fired rockets to suppress or destroy additional enemy fighting positions. The combined efforts of this Marine Raider team resulted in the complete destruction of a determined enemy, including three high-value enemy commanders.

“The entire team remained calm, concise over the radios. They were controlled, efficient, synchronized, and ultimately, brutally lethal to end that fight. One thing I did want to recognize is that this was not an isolated incident. This is the incident we are recognizing these guys for, but this happened multiple times, with the same, if not, very similar circumstances and many of the Marines being honored today did the exact same actions and performed just as well multiple times. You guys humbled me throughout the entire deployment. It was an honor to serve with you.”

Comments (during the ceremony) of the Silver Star recipient, July 10, 2020.

The Marine Corps has a long history of deployments to Afghanistan – principally in Helmand province. With the reduction in U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan in 2014 the Marines departed Helmand province. After the Marines departure the security situation in the province deteriorated significantly and the Marines returned in 2017 – forming Task Force Southwest.

Many Marine Raider teams have deployed across Afghanistan in the past – most frequently in southern and western Afghanistan. For a few years the Marines contributed a battalion-sized Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) that operated in western Afghanistan as part of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) based at Bagram Air Field (near Kabul).

The 2nd Marine Raider Battalion was activated in 2006 and is headquartered at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It is organized, trained, and equipped to deploy globally for missions. The battalion has Marine Special Operations Companies (MSOC) that are task-organized with personnel and equipment capable of executing the full spectrum of special operations in support of geographic combatant commanders.

The Marine Forces Special Operations Command consists of the Marine Raider Regiment, Marine Raider Support Group, and the Marine Raider Training Center. Currently, all MARSOC units are at Camp Lejeune except for the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and the 1st Marine Raider Support Battalion at Camp Pendleton. However, these two units will soon relocate to Camp Lejeune beginning in 2021.

MARSOC is the Marine component of the U.S. Special Operations Command. It is tasked by USSOCOM to deploy MARSOC forces worldwide to accomplish special operations missions. These missions include counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, security force assistance, and counterinsurgency.

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Photo: A Marine Raider was awarded the Silver Star Medal for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2019. The master sergeant and Critical Skills Operator was serving as a Team Chief with the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Lynn Kinney, Marine Forces, Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, NC on July 10, 2020. The face of the Marine is intentionally blurred.

By Lance Cpl. Christian Ayers, MARSOC, June 26, 2020

Marine Forces Special Operations Command hosted a change of command ceremony today, as the Marine Raiders bid farewell to Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo and welcomed Maj. Gen. James F. Glynn.

Glynn returns to MARSOC to serve as it’s eighth commander, having previously served as the commanding officer of the Marine Raider Training Center from 2011-2013.

“You don’t get too many opportunities to come back to a unit,” said Glynn, “but when you come back, you stand among giants… people of character, people who care, people of concern that transcends the operational mission. It is personal.” Glynn summarized his feelings about taking command in three words. “Pride, at the opportunity to come back to this formation and have the opportunity to stand amongst you. Humility at the opportunity to command in an organization like this. And some would call it a burden of command. It is actually a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of and to contribute to all the great things that this force and its families do.”

As the MARSOC commander, Glynn will be responsible for manning, training and equipping Marine Raiders for deployments in support of special operations missions across the globe. MARSOC maintains a continuous deployed presence in the areas of operations for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.

“We have lots of stuff in the Marine Corps three Divisions, three Wings, three Logistics groups. We have one MARSOC, it is that unique,” said Gen. David H. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps and the senior officer presiding over the ceremony. “There is no part of the globe that this command does not operate in,” going on to explain how much the organization provides the service. “We get back so much from MARSOC in the Marine Corps, in equipment, in training…the most that we are going to draw from MARSOC in the next couple of years, is not a technique, it’s not a weapon and it’s not a radio. It is the focus on the individual.”

Also in attendance were Gen. Richard D. Clarke, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, previous commanders of MARSOC, and various dignitaries from the local government, as well as the Marine Corps and interagency.

“When I think of MARSOC, I always think of SOCOM’s Sparta. When you look at this force, it is 2% of our budget from SOCOM, 6% of our manpower, conducting over 10% of SOCOM’s missions globally.It’s a great payback for what we put into it. Much of it is the human capital invested…the great Marines represented out here on the field,” said Clarke.

Yoo departs the command after two years leading the organization. During his time commanding MARSOC, Yoo drove the implementation of MARSOF 2030, the vision document designed to shape and inform the next decade of acquisitions, capability development, and operations for the command. In the same vein, he merged the G-5 Plans Directorate, and the G-8 Requirements Directorate, creating the Combat Development and Integration Directorate to continue expanding MARSOC’s role beyond the traditional battlespace. Yoo directed the establishment of MARSOC’s Cyber Integration Working Group to build the command’s future cyber capability and implemented the annual Cognitive Raider Symposium to increases awareness and critical thinking of key issues facing the Department of Defense and Special Operations Forces.

“As a commander, your time is fast, and as the commandant eluded to, we are the caretaker of the organization and the organization is a reflection of the individuals,” said Yoo. “From the moment you take the colors as a commander, you hope you can move the organization forward and that the things you do will have lasting impacts. It has been a life time of honors to be a part of these different formations, but to conclude with you all here at MARSOC, makes me very, very grateful.”

MARSOC is the Marine Corps service component of U.S. Special Operations Command and was activated Feb. 24, 2006. Its mission is to train, organize, equip and deploy task-organized Marine special operations forces worldwide.

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This article by Lance Corporal Christian Ayers was originally posted by Marine Forces, Special Operations Command on DVIDS on June 26, 2020.
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6253682/maj-gen-james-f-glynn-takes-command-marsoc

Photo: By Lance Corporal Christian Ayers, U.S. Marine Corps, June 26, 2020.