Engagements: War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and others.
Command Structure
Current Commander: MajGen Peter D. Huntley.
Notable Commanders: Includes a list of past notable commanders.
MARSOC is organized into the Marine Raider Regiment, Marine Raider Support Group, and Marine Raider Training Center.
History
Announced by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on 1 November 2005.
Officially activated on 24 February 2006.
Initially controversial within the Marine Corps due to concerns over detaching elite units from Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
Integration into SOCOM was driven by post-9/11 reevaluation and Global War on Terrorism policies.
Initial deployment in 2007 faced controversy but later vindicated.
Structure and Units
Marine Raider Regiment: Focuses on direct action, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and information operations.
Marine Raider Support Group: Provides logistical and operational support, intelligence, communications, and canine units.
Marine Raider Training Center: Conducts assessment and selection, language, and cultural training.
Training and Selection
Special Operations Training Course (SOTC): Six-week training program covering SOF warfighting skills.
Key Personnel:
Critical Skills Operators (CSOs).
Special Operations Officers (SOOs).
Special Operations Combat Service Specialists (SOCS-Ss).
Special Operations Capabilities Specialists (SOCSs).
Screening Requirements: Minimum GT score, physical fitness test, swim assessment, medical screening, and secret clearance eligibility.
Operational Highlights
Engaged in over 300 deployments across 13 countries.
Awarded more than 300 valor awards.
43 Raiders killed in action since formation.
Notable operations include liberation of Marawi from ISIS and various other global engagements.
Miscellaneous
MARSOC units named "Marine Raiders" to honor WWII legacy.
Formation linked with success of Detachment One pilot program.
Known for full-spectrum special operations capabilities and integration within SOCOM.
References
Information is based on public domain materials and articles from various sources, including Marine Corps Gazette, U.S. Department of Defense, and Marine Corps Times.