United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Selection and Indoctrination

The two amphibious/ground reconnaissance assets of the United States Marine Corps, Division and Force Reconnaissance, are generally trained in the same aspect and environment of intelligence collection for a Navy/Marine Fleet Marine Force Commander, regardless of their difference in tactical area of responsibility (TAOR). However, in light of their distinctive responsibilities in their assigned areas of operations—whereas Division Recon conducts close and distant operations, Force Recon conducts deep operations—these two separate reconnaissance assets manage their own training protocols to fit their mission-oriented objectives.

Preliminary requirements

Before anyone is able to be screened for Reconnaissance, those candidates must consider the prerequisites and adhere to the following:

Selection

The first initial steps of making a Marine into a qualified Reconnaissance Marine starts at the recon selection, or screening board, regardless if it is for assignment to Radio Recon, Scout Snipers, Division Recon, or Force Recon. The screening process is used to test potential recon candidates in their combat swimming skills, physical stamina and endurance. The screening board is a 48-hour event that is held on the last Thursday of each month at either MCB Camp Pendleton or MCB Camp Lejeune; the FMF Reconnaissance and all the organic division reconnaissance assets conduct their own distinct selection process from one another. Force Recon held their screening board at Camp Horno and near Las Flores on Camp Pendleton.

If failed, the Marines are encouraged to try the screening process again later if they so desire. Any candidate may also voluntarily dropout at any time during the screening process and retake the test later. Multiple screening attempts are common before succeeding. The only uniqueness between both recon asset's indoc screening, the division recon Marines had to retake the Force Recon's indoc if they were to make the subtle change from a division-level to a force-level command, regardless of their prior excelled qualifications.

Because Marines are amphibious by nature, the candidates proceed to the pool where they perform combat water aerobics. Beginning with a 25 m (82 ft) underwater swim, the candidates also must conduct deep water rifle retrieval. Determining on which is performing the screening, the mock rifle may be either a rubber model of the service rifle ("rubber duck") or even concrete cinder blocks are sometimes used instead; which was frequented by the Force Recon's selection board on occasion. The candidates would then have to carry the concrete block to the surface and swim it to a designated spot.

Next is the 25 ft (7.6 m) tower jump with full combat gear, followed by 30-minutes of treading water. Further water combat skills are imposed also, such as the five-minute flotation with trousers and a timed 500 m (1,600 ft) swim. After the pool screening is completed, the candidates run in formation down to the red course to perform a physical fitness test. They are required to obtain a 1st Class score of 225 or higher.

The next day, the candidates run the Obstacle Course a few times. The Marines conducting the indoctrination evaluation base the candidates on their effort method of attempting the "O" Course, and not by how fast they complete it. After the "O" Course, the last event in the selection and screening board ends with the recon candidates being tasked to run with a "ruck sack" and a "rubber duck." A ruck sack is a field pack containing a 50 lb (23 kg) sand bag. They are expected to maintain a pace of four- to five-miles per hour. The Division Recon demands the candidates to run an 8 mi (13 km) concourse, the FMF Recon however demanded an additional 10 mi (16 km) "boots and utes" ruck sack run over the hills of Las Flores and down along the beach. Failure to maintain this pace results in the candidate being dropped. Once the recon Marine candidates pass all physical and evaluation tests, they are given a psychological screening test and an interview.

If they are deemed fit to continue training, they will then be interviewed by the recon command's staff whether it be Force Recon or Division Recon; the officers are interviewed by the company commander, the enlisted Marines are interviewed by the company sergeant major and other staff non-commissioned officers. If were given permission to start their initial training to become recon Marines, they proceed to the indoctrination program.

In 2007, the Marine Corps folded the recon screening process into the initial phases of the Basic Reconnaissance Course.[1]

Indoctrination

USMC Combatant Diving Badge, 2006-present

Before 2004, all the potential recon Marine candidates were placed in Recon Indoctrination Platoons, or RIP. In RIP, the candidates are given further training in patrolling, amphibious reconnaissance, communications and land orientation which warmed-up the Marines before attending the rigorous and demanding Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC). It was considered to be the Marines' equivalent of [Navy SEAL's] "Hell Week".[2] Sometimes Marines in RIP would remain in the platoon for weeks or possibly months; until there are openings in processing for the BRC syllabus.

Since the Marine Corps do not receive the appropriated funds to build the proper training facilities that would accommodate the recon Marines' specialized training, the Corps opted to use the Army's and Navy's training functions instead. It led to complication because the Marine training liaisons had to set up training agendas to meet the cross-service schools' class schedules. It has been known to take weeks or months, depending on the training quota that was able to be met.

However, due to changes made recently, Marines who wish to join the reconnaissance community must first complete the School of Infantry's Rifleman Course prior to being assigned to the 'Marines Awaiting Recon Training' (MART) platoon. Nonetheless, both the Indoctrination programs of RIP and MART were/are designed to prepare the recon candidates for the upcoming Basic Reconnaissance Course, which introduces them to the amphibious reconnaissance community.

Accession Pipeline

USN SCUBA Diver Badge, 1980-2006

The Accession Pipeline is a series of schools that the Marines attend before being assigned their designated reconnaissance MOS. It may take one or two schools, or it may take several, before they are fully qualified in their described Military Occupational Specialty or MOS. On average, it will take 1.5 to 2-years to train a fully qualified Marine Reconnaissance Operator. Since the Marine Corps lacks the facilities, they usually outsource their training to other cross-service schools sponsored by the United States Army and Navy.

The 'primary' focus of qualifications is for Marines to be fully functional as the MOS 0321, Reconnaissance Man. To obtain the proper designated MOS, they must attend the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC). The BRC is required for both Division and Force Recon.

Those recon Marines that complete the Basic Airborne Course retain the MOS 0323, "Reconnaissance Man, Parachutist Qualified", those that complete the USMC Combatant Diver Course, have the MOS 0324, "Reconnaissance Man, Combatant Diver Qualified" and those having both qualifications, the MOS 0326, "Reconnaissance Man, Parachutist and Combatant Diver Qualified".

Before the Marine Corps adopted a new designated change of the billeted Reconnaissance MOS, the Marines retained a secondary (Special "B"-categorized) MOS that was to be implemented along with their primary MOS of 0321 (e.g. 0321/8654). The MOS subtly changed respectively into primary designations over time (i.e. 8652 merged into 0323; 8653 into 0324; 8654 into 0326) without any further need to maintain a secondary MOS designation.

Normally, the division reconnaissance assets do not have a large portion of parachute and combat diver qualified recon Marines, but do have some designated by the division commanders if the situation permits.[2] The FMF's recon operators, however, are required to be parachutists and combat divers, since they are required to insert deeper into the battlespace by parachute or submarine insertions.[3]

Division and Force Recon Marines must complete Level "C" of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School. Level "C" SERE is a course intended for high risk personnel that are carrying top secret compartmented information and are of high risk of capture.

Advanced training

US Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist badge (formerly known as the US Navy Certified Parachute Rigger badge)

When slots become available and the FMF budget permits it, the recon Marines of both the division and force may attend other advanced courses from cross-service schools. These schools may not be required but many of the recon Marines request approval from the company commander to become students for further training.[3]

Here are the following schools that are attended, if available:


* required for all members of Force Reconnaissance.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,144441,00.html
  2. 1 2 Pushies, Fred J (2003). "Chapter 4: Selection and Training". Marine Force Recon. Zenith Imprint. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-7603-1011-3.
  3. 1 2 Rogers, Patrick A. (January 2001). "Strong Men Armed". The Accurate Rifle 4 (1). Retrieved 2008-11-14.
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