Are 1st Recon Marines Special Forces?
Although Reconnaissance Marines are widely considered to be Special Operations, they don’t fall under the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Instead, they are assigned to each Marine division to provide an organic Special Operations-capable reconnaissance element.
When did the Marines start Force Recon?
1957
In 1957, the 1st Company of “Force” Recon Marines was formed, and the 2nd Company Force Recon was formed in June 1958.
Where do recon Marines get stationed?
United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions
| Marine Division Reconnaissance | |
|---|---|
| Role | Support Ground Combat Element of MAGTF in ground and amphibious reconnaissance and direct action raids. |
| Size | 2,000+ (Including 835 in Force Recon) |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Pendleton, California Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Camp Schwab, Okinawa |
How tough is Marine recon?
The dropout rate is high—over 50 percent of candidates who attempt Recon selection drop out. Of those that don’t pass selection, half are failed due for medical reasons. The other half, nearly a quarter of all candidates, voluntarily choose to quit, or “Drop on Request.”
How hard is Marine recon?
Why do so many candidates fail to become Reconnaissance Marines? With an attrition rate of over 50 percent, the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC) is one of the more difficult Special Operations selection programs in the U.S. military.
How long does it take to become a Recon Marine?
The Basic RECON Course is nine weeks long and has three phases that challenge Marines to their fullest, both physically and tactically.
Is there a 1st Recon Battalion in the Marines?
1st Reconnaissance Battalion is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force. 1st Recon Battalion was reactivated on July 5, 2000, as part of Marine Corps Commandant General James L. Jones’ mission to revitalize Marine Corps reconnaissance.
What happened to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion after the Gulf War?
In 1990—1991, the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion participated in the Persian Gulf War. Upon returning from the Gulf War plans were enacted to break up 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and spread it out to AAV’s, 1st Marines and 5th Marines.
What happened to 1st Recon Company in MEF?
Prior to the deactivation, General James Mattis, the MEF Commanding General at the time, transferred two Force Recon platoons to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and activated the Deep Reconnaissance Company. In 2008 Delta Company, 1st Recon Company was redesignated the I MEF Force Reconnaissance Company and given its own Marine Command Code (MCC).
What did the 3rd Force Recon Company do in Iraq?
In 2003, 1st Force Recon Company, augmented with platoons from 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company and 4th Force, participated in the invasion of Iraq. 3rd Platoon, deployed in support of the 15th MEU went ashore during the invasion and participated in the battle of Nasiriyah and supported the rescue of PFC Jessica Lynch