United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance The Force Reconnaissance companies ( FORECON ) , also known as Force Recon , ( 0358 ) are one of the United States Marine Corps ' s special operations capable forces ( SOC ) that provide essential elements of military intelligence to the command element of the Marine Air - Ground Task Force ( MAGTF ) ; supporting their task force commanders , and their subordinate operating units of the Fleet Marine Force ( FMF ) . Historically , the Force Recon companies , detachments and platoons performed both deep reconnaissance and direct action ( DA ) operations . Some missions are now shared by the Marine Special Operations Teams ( MSOT ) , due to the establishment of the U . S . Marine Special Operations Command ( MARSOC ) in 2006 . MARSOC was formed from Force Recon ' s direct action platoons , and now are capable of performing many of the same mission sets for USSOCOM . This dual existence now allows the FORECON companies to focus on excelling in their primary intelligence - gathering mission , as well as the VBSS ( Visit Board Search and Seizure ) side of the specialized raid mission . FORECON is responsible for operating independently behind enemy lines performing unconventional special operations , in support of conventional warfare . The unit ' s various methods of airborne , heliborne , submarine and waterborne insertions and extractions are similar to those of the Navy SEALs , Army Special Forces , United States Army Rangers , or Air Force Combat Controllers , although Force Recon ' s missions and tasks do differ slightly with a focus on primarily supporting Marine expeditionary and amphibious operations . Mission . Two different mission types emerged during the Vietnam War , which are still implemented in the Force Reconnaissance motives today : Key Hole and Sting Ray . These practices subsequently became contemporary as " deep reconnaissance " , or " green operations " ; and " direct action " , which are known as " black operations " . Key Hole patrols were designed purely around reconnaissance and surveillance ; usually lightly equipped and armed with defensive weapons — evasive techniques were employed to break contact from the enemy should the need arise , avoiding contact with the enemy was paramount . Sting Ray operations were the exact opposite of Key Hole missions with goals more closely in line of offensive strikes , the FORECON operators were heavily armed and used artillery and / or naval gunfire support , if available . However , what began as a ' key hole ' patrol could become a ' sting ray ' patrol with little warning . The versatility of FORECON is demonstrated when missions quickly turn , planned or not , from a deep reconnaissance patrol to a direct action engagement . Green Operations . The principal mission of Force Recon is reconnaissance , to collect any pertinent intelligence of military importance , observe , identify and report adversaries to MAGTF commanders . Like Division Recon ( also known as the " Marine Recon Battalions " ) , they imply a mixed element of amphibious reconnaissance and ground reconnaissance . These missions are known as green operations . This practice fundamentally covers a wide spectrum of reconnaissance but primarily the FORECON operators conduct deep reconnaissance . The Force Recon platoons operate farther inland than their Division Recon counterparts , penetrating deeper into enemy territory from their assigned littoral ( coastal ) region within a force commander ' s ' tactical area of responsibility ' ( TAOR ) . They operate at such great distances that they are beyond the boundaries , or " fan " , of any artillery and / or naval gunfire support ( NGFS ) ; unlike their Division Recon brethren , whose operations are primarily within the artillery and gunfire support fan . Silence and stealth are vital in reducing chances of compromising their position — if a single round is fired , the mission is deemed to have failed . The United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance detachments , or FORECON , operate in deep reconnaissance , direct action , and the control of supporting arms ; to convey military intelligence beyond the means of a commander ' s area of influence in the battlefield . They are capable of operating independently in combined methods of amphibious and ground operations by utilizing methods of conventional and unconventional warfare in defense of the United States . Although Force Recon has never been part of the United States Special Operations Command , their missions slightly differentiate themselves from other United States Special Operations Forces units . Colloquially , they are specialized in all tactical areas of warfare . Force Recon will train with other Special Operations forces , such as , United States Navy SEALs , United States Army Special Forces , and United States Air Force Pararescue , in order to master all skill sets . The Marine Corps has seen fit to train versatile specialists rather than specialists in individual areas of combat . Objectively , their reconnoitering roles ( whether in elements of amphibious or ground ) are an abstract of preliminary ( or " pre - ' D - Day " ' ) and post - assault reconnaissance , which mainly consist of numerous missions , some examples are provided as such : Black Operations . Black operations are the missions that require direct action ( DA ) . They are the opposite of green operations missions , where the Force Recon operators basically " look for trouble " . Depending on the situation and the target location , the FORECON operators usually conduct direct action missions within the artillery and naval gun support fan ; these operations demonstrate " small - scale " shock and awe . Examples are the seizures and occupation of gas / oil platforms ( GOPLAT ) and the Visit , Board , Search , and Seizure ( VBSS ) of ships during Maritime Interdiction Operations ( MIO ) , as well as orchestrating close air support , a vital skill exercised in DA missions ; Force Recon operators forward observe from static positions and spider hole s for artillery and naval gunfire support , or ordnance and payload delivery . They provide Personal Security Detail ( PSD ) for critically important personnel . They are capable of performing In - Extremis Hostage Rescue ( IHR ) but this is no longer a Force Recon mission task . The Maritime Special Purpose Force ( MSPF ) are designed for IHR missions for the MEF ' s subordinate Marine Expeditionary Unit ( Special Operations Capable ) [ MEU ( SOC ) ] in its stead . Organization . In the past , early Force Reconnaissance companies in the Marine Corps had made numerous titular changes to its table of organization ( T / O ) , so much so that it can be difficult to describe its primary command structure in detail . However , the companies initially were designed to function under the echelon of the Navy / Marine force commanders ( e . g . under the direct operational control of the Commander , Amphibious Task Force ( CATF ) and Landing Force ( CLF ) , and Fleet Marine Force ) during amphibious landing operation s or expeditionary engagements — to provide timely intelligence without exhausting their reconnaissance assets from the Marine Division without hampering their valuable support to its infantry regiments . Due to these changes , FORECON has been detached and reported to multiple commanders of Marine divisions , the Command Element s ( CE ) of the Marine Air - Ground Task Force s , and the immediate commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force ( MEF ) . They were re - organized or reserved for ' special reconnaissance ' assignments that would otherwise help shape the outcome of his battlefield . These companies , for a few times in their existence had either folded into the Marine Division , its Regiment ' s Recon Battalions , or dissolved entirely to only resurface during conflicts , or when other similar reasons had arisen . After the creation of Marine Special Operations Command ( MARSOC ) on August 11 , 2006 , it marked the United States Marine Corps ' first commitment to the United States Special Operations Command ( USSOCOM ) . By February 2006 , 2nd FORECON deactivated its command . The most experienced operators were selected to fill the ranks for the newly established Marine Special Operations Battalions ' ( MSOBs ) teams . A month later in January , 1st FORECON met the same fate . The remaining Marines in both Force Recon companies molded into new " D " companies within the Division Recon Battalions , forming the Deep Reconnaissance Platoons ( DRPs ) . The DRPs are designed to maintain and preserve the ' deep reconnaissance ' assets to the MAGTF commanders . In October 2008 , by the direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps ( CMC ) , the D companies within both 1st and 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion s were redesignated as " Force Reconnaissance " companies and assigned operational control to the Marine Expeditionary Force ( MEF ) accordingly , particularly the I MEF and II MEF . These companies will assume the traditional deep reconnaissance and supportive arms mission set and will deploy in support of current directive required by the United States Marine Corps . Since that time , the Marine Corps has also stood up Force Reconnaissance Company , III MEF in Okinawa , Japan . The three Force Reconnaissance companies of I , II , and III MEF are currently the only active components of force - " level " reconnaissance ; whereas the 3rd and 4th FORECON are the Active Reserve component to the Fleet Marine Force . Table of Organization ( T / O ) . Each Force Reconnaissance company is basically the same , they all contain its command element and Force Recon platoons . Each company is in command by a company commander and his executive officer . History . The historical roots of ' Force Recon ' companies can be traced back to the antecedent Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion , whose numerous pre - D – Day reconnoitering of enemy beaches during the Pacific campaigns of World War II proved the vitality of the Fleet Marine Force ' s amphibious reconnaissance doctrine . This unique unit reported directly to the landing force commander , which exercised his availability of receiving important intelligence at his disposal . Formed initially as a company - size element from the Observer Group , under the command of Major James L . Jones , they were amongst the first — along with the early Navy Combat Demolition Units ( the predecessor to the Underwater Demolition Teams [ i . e . the Navy SEALs ] ) — to embark from submarines ; most of their missions complemented those of the NCDU and the UDT . The ' amphibious reconnaissance ' doctrine clearly outlined that the recon Marines duties consisted of scouting the littoral areas , or beachhead , to inland ; to test the soil permeability of a possible beach landing , or to clear any obstacles that may hinder an amphibious assault , and to observe any sign of enemy activity . The Navy UDT were tasked to provide the same , but from off the coastline to the littoral , or adjacent beach areas . Jones and his recon Marines scouted the Japanese - fortified beaches and observed the terrain , materials or other entities , primarily reporting to the force commander of any vital intelligence , or mission - oriented importance . Although Jones ' s Marines were all skilled surface swimmers , they usually inserted by boats — mostly due to the multiple radios [ primary and contingent ] they carried , as relaying communication to the landing force commander was paramount ; and time means of sending in a platoon - sized element , with any means of heavy firepower ( mortars , machineguns , etc . ) at their disposal since they were greatly outnumbered and isolated from other major Marine forces , which were still embarked on the destroyer - transport ships . By the end of World War II , the Amphib Recon Battalion terminated its command ; its Marines either filled the ranks of other infantry platoons , or folded into the Scout ( Tank ) companies , and the newly formed division reconnaissance companies . This force - level reconnaissance element wasn ' t reestablished until the early - 1950s when the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalions were assembled for preliminary operations in Korea . Their efforts were proven that gaining beforehand the knowledge of the enemy in the event of a major operation was extremely crucial to safeguarding the men , and provided better operational planning . The Korean War introduced the new concept of using rotary - wing aircraft to the Marine Corps in combat employment for logistics and rapid troop transport . Also , the atomic age was emerging and caused concerns within the military leaders . The Commandant of the Marine Corps , General Lemuel Shepherd acted upon creating an un - institutionalized test unit , the " Marine Corps Test Unit # 1 " ( or " MCTU # 1 " ) , to research and experiment in new and improvised combative tactics , methods in preparing the Marine Corps in operating strategically , in cohesion or against , the use of nuclear weapons . Many of the conceptual ideas for Force Recon were pioneered by Major Bruce F . Meyers , the test unit ' s " Reconnaissance / Pathfinder Project Officer " from MCTU # 1 ' s Plans and Development ( P & D ) Section . His position can be seen as an unillustrated subsidiary to an ' operations ' ( G - 6 ) and ' training ' ( G - 7 ) officer . Major Meyers tested many methods for the ' Recon Platoon ' various innovative techniques and evaluated their results for use for parachuting and pathfinding missions , in conjunction of using its heliborne and aircraft wing assets adding ' deeper ' reconnaissance penetration capabilities . This new found capability enabled reconnaissance Marines the extreme advantage of operating further behind enemy lines . The MCTU # 1 ' s Reconnaissance Platoon , commanded by Captain Joseph Taylor , founded and adopted the more " modern " ' force reconnaissance ' doctrine , methods which were instrumented by Major Meyers . They were developing and performing innovative clandestine insertion methods before the Navy SEALs , and the Army ' s " Green Berets " ; techniques such as the submarine locking - in and - out methods , underwater " blow and go " ascends , ( NOTE : The first use of scuba , the first lock ins - lock outs , the first use of blow and go ascends , and the first use of the escape trunk for ingress and egress from a submerged submarine underway in the U . S . military was pioneered by U . S . Navy UDT , forebears of the SEALs , in 1947 - 48 . There was no Marine ' Force Recon ' at the time . ) high altitude , low opening , or " HALO " and ( - high opening ) " HAHO " parachute insertions . MCTU # 1 has concluded that parachute reconnaissance and pathfinding capabilities would exist at force - " level " , the Fleet Marine Force ( the highest command echelon of the United States Marine Corps ) . At first , the concept was to be formed into a " Force Recon Battalion " — this battalion would have as many ' force recon ' companies as there were division - wing MAGTFs in the Marine operating forces . Recognizing the limited budget during the fiscal year of 1957 , it was recommended that instead , it be formed at company - sized elements , for the west and east coast . In July 1957 , The MCTU # 1 was amalgamated into the existing 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion ; the next day , the battalion cased its colors and redesignated it as " 1st Force Reconnaissance Company " . Although the test unit was no longer operating , Meyers continued to research and test more innovative methods . Major Meyers and his top swimmers and senior officers of the company would test and train in submarine lock - in and - out methods and ascending techniques . While cross - trained by the Navy ' s Master Divers , they learned the operation of the early rebreather systems , and advanced open water swimming . Meyers understood that his recon Marines will be operating 50 to 150 miles away from their littoral or operating area , or from any naval support ; in order to get his Marines out of a " hot " area , extraction techniques needed to be developed . Bruce Meyer ' s 1st FORECON , along with 1st Recon Company and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing were aware of the McGuire and STABO systems that were used by the United States Army ' s Special Forces and agreed that it had defects and disadvantages . The Marine Corp created a system that was more simplified rig that had greater capacity , the Special Personnel Insertion and Extraction ( SPIE ) rig . The CIA ' s highly secretive Special Activities Division ( SAD ) and more specifically its elite Special Operations Group ( SOG ) recruits operators from Marine Force Recon . In addition , joint Force Recon and CIA operations go back to the famed MACV - SOG group during the Vietnam War and still exist to this day . Weapons Planning Group ( Code 121 ) . The Reconnaissance / Surveillance Section of the Weapons Planning Group , Landing Force Development Center at Quantico introduced Force Recon to new technological methods of achieving their objective . Many of the tests and evaluations that were tried , resembled the tests of MCTU # 1 . However , MCTU # 1 were testing in methods of inserting reconnaissance teams " deep " in the battlefield . The Weapons Planning Group ( Code 121 ) provided the basis of equipment and instruments that would become instrumental to recon Marines . Beacons for helicopter guidance , laser designator s for the guidance of ordnance , laser rangefinders , and many more were tested . During the Vietnam War , one of the reconnaissance officers of Code 121 , then - Major Alex Lee , brought most of his testing experiences to 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company , when he was assigned as the commanding officer in 1969 - 1970 . He formed Force Recon ' s missions that are still distinct today : remote sensor operations . The Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center ( SRC ) [ predecessor to the Surveillance , Reconnaissance , and Intelligence Group ( SRIG ) ] was formed within the III Marine Amphibious Force ( IIIMAF ) . The obsolete pathfinding operations were taken over by the newer beacons and homing devices . Operations . Vietnam War , 1965 - 1974 . 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company was activated , trained , fought and deactivated during the Vietnam War . Activated in September 1965 as one of the first group of add on units to meet demands of operations in Viet Nam , the Company formed at Camp LeJeune , N . C . and satellite on Second Force Reconnaissance Company that was under strength due to the demands for trained Force Recon Marines assigned to First Force in country . Facilities , cadre and equipment for training were provided by Second Force . Volunteers were solicited from throughout the Marine Corps and the first four months were devoted to bringing the company up to strength in personnel . Beginning in January 1966 all operational personnel departed Camp LeJeune to train in the Caribbean and Panama . Returning to North Carolina in March , final preparations were carried out to meet the projected deployment date in May 1966 . The expected deployment of the entire Company did not occur , but a two Platoon Detachment embarked on the USS Boxer , transited through the Suez Canal , and arrived in country in time to be introduced to combat in Operation Hastings as part of The Special Landing Force in early July 1966 . The Company ( - ) dropped to a not combat ready readiness status . Headquarters Marine Corps transferred several Officers and numerous Staff Non Commissioned Officers immediately after the Detachment departed . In mid - June the Company ( - ) was alerted to deploy immediately . Due to the reduced personnel readiness status , HQMC changed the deployment plan and ordered that a Platoon be assigned to deploy with First Battalion , 26th Marines that had been activated at Camp Pendleton . The remainder of the Company was ordered to move to Camp Pendleton to refit . At the conclusion of Hastings the Detachment was attached to Third Reconnaissance Battalion that had just arrived in Phu Bai from Da Nang , having been replaced by the First Reconnaissance Battalion that had just begun arriving with the First Marine Division . Shortly , they were joined by the Platoon that had come in country with 1 / 26 . They patrolled in Thua Tin Province until early January , 1967 , when a task organized Special Purpose group carried out a prisoner rescue attempt . The remainder were sent to Khe Sahn where they developed the intelligence of a large enemy buildup , that was the prelude to The Hill Fights that occurred in April 1967 . Reunited , what was left of the three Platoons , returned to Phu Bai to await the arrival of the Company ( - ) . Having been brought up to strength and operational readiness , the Company was reunited on April 27 , 1966 , just in time for the NVA offensive to seize Quang Tri Province . The logistics element arrive at the “ Ramp ” at Dong Ha just in time for the opening salvos of the NVA artillery attacks that would continue daily until late Autumn . The operational element experienced a mortar attack in Phu Bai at the same time resulting in several shrapnel wounds , only one of which , required evacuation . The new arrivals were integrated with combat veterans and the entire eighteen teams conducted a zone reconnaissance in the Cobi Than Tan Valley east of Quey City before displacing to Dong Ha . Upon arrival at Dong Ha in early May the Commanding Officer assumed command of Third Recon Battalion ( Forward ) , which had reconnaissance responsibility for all of Quang Tri Province except the Khe Sahn TAOR ( Tactical Area of Operations ) . The Company patrolled the area north of Highway nine to the DMZ , while the Battalion Company was targeted south of Highway Nine to the Thua Tin border . Occasional circumstances caused deviation from that concept , but , for the most part , those deviations were rare . Third Force continued that operational commitment until the Third Division left country in November 1969 . Third Force was placed under command of The Third Marine Expeditionary Force and operated in General Support of Three MAF until deactivated in mid 1970 . Mission Training Plan . Training within the Company is outlined by the Mission Training Plan ( MTP ) . It is used in conjunction with the training and exercises that are conducted by the Marine Expeditionary Unit s for their " Special Operations Capable " certification . It follows a systematic approach to training , and the emphasis is to " train as they expect to fight " . The Mission Training Plan has five phases , and is based on a two - year platoon cycle . Training is ongoing and continuous , and functions as if it were a loop . Before FORECON operators are " Special Operations Capable " they follow the Company ' s MTP , which underlines the training protocol of the Pre - deployment Training Program ( PTP ) . Phase 1 . The first phase in FORECON ' s Mission Training Plan takes place within the MEU ' s Pre - deployment Training Program ( PTP ) Initial Training Phase . In order for Marines to become Force Recon operators , it is required to complete each course as they progress through the ' Accession Pipeline ' although there are other senior and veteran Marines that have already served with Force Recon , choosing to stay attached to the company only to repeat the 2 - year platoon cycle continuously . Whichever the case , they both will attend their respective schools : the candidates traverse through the accession pipeline , as the recon veterans attend specialized schools — both participating in Phase 1 of the MTP . The recon candidates of Force Recon are required to obtain the designation of MOS 0326 " [ formerly 8654 ] " , " Reconnaissance Man , Parachutist / Combatant Diver Qualified " . In order to achieve that , they must attend the following courses . Special Schools . During the " Individual Training Phase " , the candidates are undergoing the accession pipeline to become qualified MOS 0321 ( Reconnaissance Man ) . After further training , the already - billeted Force Recon operators ( who had already completed the required courses in the accession pipeline [ basic recon , parachutist and diving , and SERE / HRP courses ] attain MOS 0326 ( Reconnaissance man , parachute and combatant diver qualified ) and may continue to remain with FORECON after the 3 - year rotation cycle . They may be selected for additional advanced cross - service training from other schools provided by the Special Operations Forces ( SOF ) units . Although these specialized schools are not necessarily required , they are highly encouraged . Many Marine Corps ' training liaisons ' represent the Marines at many cross - services schools , to ensure training slots and openings are met and filled by the Marines that requested , or were recommended , for advanced training . Some of these courses may not be able to facilitate the Marine students , the instructors of these schools resort to complement the Marines ' requested syllabus by designing subsidiary courses of the similar . This argument becomes clear on whether Marines may , or may not , actually attend the Basic Underwater Demolitions / SEAL ( BUD / S ) . Nonetheless , in the past , selected operators within Force Recon had attended the courses of instructions provided by BUD / S Instructors and their completion is documented in their military Service Record Book ( SRB ) or Officer Qualification Record ( OQR ) . Phase 2 . The second phase of the MTP also takes place during the MEU ' s PTP Initial Training Phase . Training Cell ( T - Cell ) . The Training Cell ( T - Cell ) is regulated by the experienced staff non - commissioned officers ( SNCOs ) of FMF Recon company ' s Operations Section ( S - 3 ) . This removes the responsibility of coordinating training from the platoon headquarters , and permits them to train with their men ( rather than to just oversee the training ) . An additional and no less important advantage to the T - Cell is that it acts as a training ground for future platoon sergeants . Those assigned to the T - Cell are all highly trained and experienced operators . Some have deployed as platoon sergeants , and some have not . Experienced FORECON operators within T - Cell monitor , evaluate and improve the training to ensure that exercises meet real - world conditions . Other training packages are available to mold the Marines into a fully functional Recon unit , including long range patrolling in desert areas , such as Twentynine Palms or MCAS Yuma , mountainous terrain and other environments relevant in peacetime or conflict . At the end of Phase 2 Training , the platoon is completely stood up in all aspects of the " long - range " reconnaissance mission . More importantly , they have spent 6 - months of ' platoon - oriented ' training together . Phase 3 . Special Operations Training Group ( SOTG ) . This 6 - month training phase emphasizing more in the direct action , or " black operations " . It is conducted by the Special Operations Training Group ( SOTG ) . This phase takes place during the MEU ' s PTP Intermediate Training Phase . These courses involves both aspects of maritime and urbanized environments and how to apply close quarters combat and science in demolition , gas / oil platform ( GOPLAT ) training , cordon and search , Visit , Board , Search , and Seizure ( VBSS ) , shipboard assaults training and humanitarian operations . The recon operators get the chance to train in unfamiliar urban areas and maritime structures . Phase 4 . Once the SOC Certification Final Training Phase is finished , the MEU with the detached Force Recon platoon as a functionable special operations " capable " force . Then they sail on a six - month deployment . This long deployment is known as the ' Deployment Phases ' to Force Recon , they sail from either three locations , off the east or west coast , or Okinawa . The I MEF on the west would deploy its Marine Expeditionary Unit s ( MEUs ) to the western Pacific and the II MEF ' s MEUs on the east coast sails across the Atlantic Ocean to either the Mediterranean Sea or the Persian Gulf . The III MEF ' s 31st MEU in Okinawa is to be used as a contingency for reinforced support of an area spanning from southwest Asia to the $ 3 . The III MEF is the only MEF of the FMF that is permanently fully deployed at all times . While Force Recon is afloat , they still remain focused on their self - disciplined training sessions . They conduct small arms live fire training on the deck of the ships and physical fitness training . In many cases , foreign maritime forces alike participate in joint exercises or training maneuvers , such as the Royal Thai Marine Corps , British Royal Marines , and Australian Forces . But while they may be training , the MEU are capable of projecting fully forward deployed operational task forces . Thus , epitomizing the infamous Marine Corps slogan , " " force - in - readiness " . " Phase 5 . The last phase is the post - deployment phase . After 18 - months of training and deployment , the platoon is granted 30 - days of military leave . Once a Force Recon operator has finished deployment , they have a decision to make . What makes Force Recon unique from Division Recon , and the other SOFs , is the career style that is emplaced in the Force Recon company structure . They can choose to stay with the Force Recon Company and continue their assignment with the MEU , recycling its loop cycle ; or they can get release from the FORECON company and go back to their original assignment , whether it being administration , motor transport , or infantry . However , on average , approximately 50 % of the platoon will leave , their time in Force having expired . Equipment . The primary weapons used by both Division and FMF Recon assets are typically the same standard - issued weapons in the arsenal of the Marine Corps . However , since Force Recon ' s missions are directly involved in parachuting and underwater insertions , they demand weapons and equipment that are essential to their job . Their equipment reflects on which ever tasks that have been assigned by the MAGTF , MEF , or MEU commander ; either direct action ( black ) or deep recon ( green ) operations . Table of Equipment ( T / E ) . Some equipment only fits the needs for one particular mission over another . There is however some equipment that is used for both black and green operations , and these pieces of gear are usually combat vests , flak and armor jackets ( or systems ) , and harnesses for use in hasty extraction measures . Particularly during green operations , these missions normally encompass surveillance and reconnaissance . The equipment items carried into the field are usually cameras , scopes , and most importantly communications . Two recon Marines serve as radiomen in the team . Each team / platoon often brings two field radios that are able to withstand the elements of seawater , and rugged patrolling as they tread inland — if one radio fails , they resort to the supplemental radio . This is to ensure that vital information can always be sent to the commander , and to the S - 3 / S - 6 shop , or similar intelligence collection agencies . More common in today ' s infrastructure , much of the intelligence - gathered information is sent to and processed by the Marine Expeditionary Force ' s " Surveillance , Reconnaissance , and Intelligence Group " ( SRIG ) . For black operations , the Marines carry weapons that are more of the close - quarter combative use ; grenades , carbine rifles , sub - machine guns ( SMGs ) , and any tool to use for breaching barricades and doors . They can be equipped with laser designating devices to " paint " their targets with laser - guiding coordinates to deliver payload to un - expecting targets . Since they are " bringing the fight to the enemy " , they do not rely on camouflage as stealthy action is not a factor in these situations . Special equipment . In addition to the SCUBA equipment used in amphibious mission - essential tasks , Force Recon maintains and operates parachutes . This is the main difference and separation from Division Reconnaissance — all FORECON operators are required to be parachutists . The parachutist equipment is stored in the Force Reconnaissance ' s Parachute Loft . Parachute pack systems — The parachute is one of the trademarks of Force Recon , throughout its existence the operators have extensively used a wide variety of parachutes . In the mid - 1950s , they used the T - 10 , then later adopting the Capewell canopy release which provided a cut - away to reduce the deadly effect of drag . The T - 10 became the most frequented parachute ; which had two variants , one for low - level static line ( LLSL ) and the other for military free fall ( MFF ) descends . They had numerous parachutes listed under the Table of Equipment ( T / E ) that had been contained in the Paraloft . Even in its formative days in the Marine Corps Test Unit # 1 , the operators and testers of the Naval Parachute Unit ( NPU ) at El Centro had tested and sported numerous parachutes , adding modifications and suggestions that soon were adopted by other parachutists . By the 1990s , the MC - 4 and MC - 5 Ram Air Parachutes became the feasible choice , as it allows more detailed and accurate landing in smaller areas , easy to control — especially during oscillation of the canopy . Plus , it was formed to modulate between the LLSL and MFF without having to consort to a different pack . These are parachutes that are still contained in the T / E of the Parachute Loft , however some may not be currently in use : Parachutist Individual Equipment Kit ( PIEK ) — The PIEK contains all the Force Recon ' s parachutist clothing and equipment assigned by Force Recon ' s Paraloft . They are used for the high - altitude MFFs ( HAHO or HALO ) and LLSL parachute operations . Due to extreme cold encountered during high altitude parachute operations , the parachutist must have protection from the environment . Single Action Release Personal Equipment Lowering Equipment ( SARPELS ) — The Force Recon operators are equipped with a complete equipment lowering system for both LLSL and MFF parachute operations . It allows them carry various configurations of all their individual mission - essential equipment , usually contained within their Flyer ' s Kitbag . SARPELS provides easy access to their weapons and equipment upon parachute landing and has a single - action release capability . It can be front or rear mounted , whichever is preferred . Once they have descended to about above the surface , they use the SARPEL to release their gear ( weapons / kitbag ) , dropping it below them while still attached to their harness by a rope . It is used to minimize injuries in landing due to heavy load of equipment . The parachustists must maneuver themselves in order not to drop onto their gear during parachute landing falls . Creed . Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine , I accept all challenges involved with this profession . Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me . Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal . Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life . Physical fitness , mental attitude , and high ethics — The title of Recon Marine is my honor . Conquering all obstacles , both large and small , I shall never quit . To quit , to surrender , to give up is to fail . To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure ; To overcome , to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission . On the battlefield , as in all areas of life , I shall stand tall above the competition . Through professional pride , integrity , and teamwork , I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate . Never shall I forget the principles I accepted to become a Recon Marine . Honor , Perseverance , Spirit and Heart . A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what others can only imagine .