page_title: Special operations capable
section_title: Conventional operations
hierarchical_section_title: Special operations capable / Special operations capable (SOC) Marine expeditionary units / Conventional operations
caption_attribution_description: English: Marine Force Recon
context_page_description: Special operations capable is a collaborated concept formulated of the United States Marine Corps and Navy, under the direction of the Department of the Navy, concerning the expeditionary roles whom the Fleet Marine Force and its subordinate Marine task forces are assigned. This designation is restricted only to the Marine Expeditionary Units—as per "Marine Expeditionary Unit
context_section_description: Beyond those conventional missions assigned to a MEU, the specialized units within the Marine Corps's special operations capable community are able to perform the following capabilities assigned:
  Battle area ingress/egress: enter and exit a battle area.
  Locate and fix the enemy: involves finding and identifying enemy forces, maintaining surveillance once located, assessing the capabilities and intentions, and reporting those findings.
  Engage the enemy: engage, destroy, or capture the enemy in a rural or urban setting, in hostile environments, with minimized/controlled collateral damage.
  Rapid staff planning: the capability to rapidly plan and be prepared to commence execution of operations within six (6) hours of receipt of the warning order/alert order.  Commencement of operations is signified by the launch of forces by air and/or surface means.  This may range from the insertion of reconnaissance and surveillance assets in support of the mission to the actual launch of an assault force.  Rapid staff planning is a key to MEU(SOC)s overall operational success.
  Joint force interoperability: the MEU will normally be committed in conjunction with joint or combined task force (J/CTF) operations.  Joint/combined force interoperability is a shared responsibility of the force commander and subordinate elements.  Interoperability depends on compatible C4I equipment and standardized procedures while embracing common terminology and techniques.  The objective is a thorough understanding of mutual command and control procedures, capabilities, and limitations developed through continual participation in joint and combined exercises.
  Amphibious raids: conduct amphibious raids via air and/or surface means from extended ranges in order to inflict loss or damage upon opposing forces, create diversions, capture and/or evacuate individuals and material by swift incursion into an objective area followed by a planned withdrawal.  The amphibious raid is the primary operational focus for the forward-operating MEU(SOC)s.
  Limited-objective attacks: assaults based on limited force.
  Non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO): conduct NEO by evacuating and protecting noncombatants in either a permissive or non-permissive environment.  This capability includes the requirement to provide a security force, evacuation control center, recovery force, medical support, and transportation of evacuees.
  Show of force operations: engage in show of force operations, to include amphibious demonstrations, presence of forces, or flyovers in support of U.S. interests.
  Reinforcement operations: reinforce U.S. (or designated Allied/friendly) forces by helicopter and/or surface means.  This includes the capability to conduct relief-in-place or a passage of lines.
  Maritime security operations: conduct security operations to protect U.S. (or designated Allied/ friendly nation) property and noncombatants in maritime areas.  Forward-operating  MEU(SOC)s will be capable of establishing an integrated local security perimeter, screening for explosive devices, and providing personal protection to designated individuals.
  Mobile training teams (MTT): provide training to assigned individuals, groups, or units.
  Civil–military operations – Humanitarian/civil assistance in disaster relief: provide services such as medical and dental care, minor construction repair to civilian facilities, temporary assistance to local government, and assistance to counter the devastation caused by a manmade or natural disaster.
  Tactical deception operations: design and implement tactical deception operations plans in order to deceive the enemy through electronic means, feints, demonstrations, and ruses which cause the enemy to react or fail to react in a manner which assists in the accomplishment of the overall mission.
  Fire support control: control and coordinate naval surface fire, air support and ground fire support coordination measures for U.S. or designated Allied/friendly forces.
  Counter-intelligence operations: conduct counterintelligence and human intelligence operations that protect the M
caption: A four-man fireteam of Marines simulates infiltrating a beachhead to gain information about the enemy and its adjacent beaches to help forecast a 'ship-to-shore' landing operation from 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force
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