Special Operations Capable Special Operations Capable refers to special tasks that the tangible Marine Air - Ground Task Force units are capable in providing to the Fleet Marine Force ( FMF ) , or foreign uniformed services of maritime regions worldwide . These task are similar to the roles that the United States Special Operations Forces are operationally responsible in providing the United States Special Operations Command ( USSOCOM ) . Traditionally , the United States Marine Corps has been at the forefront of the United States ' s exceptional elite warriors . The special operations - type units within the Marine Corps eschewed the idea of being referred or compared to the traditional special operations forces ( SOF ) of the United States Special Operations Command due to the " ad hoc " idealism the Marines are traditionally known to carry — being special operations capable is temporary to their protocol . The Marine Corps ' s specialized units have always yielded performance and mission plans that distinguish them from the United States Special Operations Forces . One significant detail is that the Marine Corps solely manages their battlespace shaping methods mainly in the aspect of conventional warfare . Most of the SOFs involved in USSOCOM however are more directed in unconventional warfare . Every SOC [ special operations capable ] unit that existed in the Marine Corps are versatile enough to be capable in conducting special operations under ' unconventional ' methods while engaging on a ' conventional ' battlefield . While not specifically a Secretary of Defense - designated U . S . Special Operations Force , when directed by the National Command Authority and / or the force commander , the Fleet Marine Force may conduct special operations under circumstances where designated special operations forces are not available . In February 2006 , the Marine Corps made its first commitment to the USSOCOM community in cause of the establishment of the Marine Special Operations Command , or MARSOC . This new commitment allowed MARSOC to form the Marine Special Operation Teams ( MSOT ) , assigned under the Marine Special Operation Battalions , or MSOBs . The MSOTs are the Marine Corps ' s first SOF unit to be trained and reserved for missions specifically regarding unconventional methods , which consequently disbanded the FMF ' s Force Reconnaissance companies to make way for the MSOTs ' fully committed direct action capabilities . Many force reconnaissance operators were used to form the MSOTs , the rest were folded into the division - level recon units . The Deep Recon Platoons ( DRP ) were created to maintain the deep reconnaissance capabilities for the Marine Air - Ground Task Force ( MAGTF ) commanders . Therefore , the joint - Navy / Marine Corps ' s Fleet Marine Force is the proponent service for all special operations missions involving maneuverability from the sea . Historians can trace the evolution of the Corps ’ s specialized amphibious warfare since its formation , traditionally being tasked in conducting specialized missions conformed to maritime environments . The U . S . Marines and sailors are already equipped and well - prepared because of their expeditionary capabilities that are well - known to the community . Concept . There have been controversial effects of incorporating the MEU ( SOC ) ' s capabilities . The Marine Corps periodically had to struggle with the Department of the Navy or Department of Defense in formulating a special operations force within the combined functions of the FMF . In fact , the FMF formulated several SOF - type units in the past . The Marine Raiders dissolved moments before the end of World War II , terminating their direct action - stylized institution . It was felt throughout the Marine Corps that the Raiders were acting in complex of being " an elite within the " Elite " " , nonetheless the Raider Battalions were deactivated . Momentarily , the Paramarines also shared the same fate . Ever since World War II , new threats that have been emerging became the main focus : terrorism , warring factions , and environmental catastrophes , while the worldwide population increases . Marines must now cope with the expected changes of the way warfare is being fought in the 21st century . Its reason is that the Marine Corps has epitomized its sole function in modern amphibious and expeditionary warfare . No other armed naval services throughout history has reasoned feasibly in sustaining a rapid , offensive landing force onto hostile shores , yet remaining co - dependent on conventional strategies . In order for the Corps to send Marines to accommodate new perils , recommendations were made to standardize and relate all their training for modern warfare . The Fleet Marine Force revised its Title X charter by incorporating their already ‘ amphibious and expeditionary capability ’ into unique missions ; including a special operations mission , if the need arises . A significant shift in thinking was dramatized by the foresight of then - Deputy Secretary of Defense William H . Taft , stated in 1983 : Despite efforts , the perception of competition between the SOFs and the specialized Marine units has persisted , and caused friction in USSOCOM . Special Operations Capable ( SOC ) . In the past , the Marine Corps focused more on yesterday ' s high intensity , conventional , open " sea , air - land " battlefields , such as those expected during the Cold War . Nowadays , it has been replaced by the more probable mid - and low intensity conflicts . Missions that would require armed conflicts or humanitarian / disaster relief were conceived and many tacticians feared that the Marine Corps were trying to emulate the larger , land - based United States Army . With counterparts from the United States Navy , Marines have the ability to be projected to any hostile area around the globe due to their maneuverability from the sea . This gives the Marine Corps the advantage over the other military branches ; Marines can be deployed to a hostile situation , large or small , within short notice from the Commander - in - Chief . Ever since the Advanced Base Force was conceived , the enhanced and inherent capabilities of the Fleet Marine Force has proven the Marine Corps operational flexibility as a unique , elite maritime force . The Marine Corps is far more capable of making the adjustments to the changing threat than any other service . Marine Corps Commandant General P . X . Kelley demonstrated capabilities of the Fleet Marine Force ' s , smaller forward deployed Marine Air - Ground Task Force elements . Each Marine Expeditionary Force ( MEF ) has MEUs . When specifically trained and operationally qualified to perform special operational duties , they are then known as a Marine Expeditionary Units ( Special Operations Capable ) , or MEU ( SOC ) ; designed under the battle plans of combined maritime - based ground and air elements that make up a MAGTF . Conventional operations . 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 : Maritime special operations . The Marine Corps does not deploy traditional Special Operations Forces ( SOF ) . Forward - operating MEU ( SOC ) s receive enhanced training and are specially equipped and organized to provide selected maritime special purpose capabilities complementary and in support of special operations . In addition to the conventional capabilities noted above , MEU ( SOC ) s will , upon deployment , possess the following skills and capabilities : Pre - deployment Training Program ( PTP ) . Every 18 - months , all units that are under the Marine Air - Ground Task Force ' s MEFs assemble the MEUs and train them individually within their units , or together in a cohesive exercise . They have one purpose , to become certified in special operations . The Special Operations Capable Certification process is in three phases ; the Initial Training Phase , Intermediate Training Phase , and the Final Training Phase . Once certified , they are under status as " force - in - readiness " for 15 - months . Initial Training Phase . The Initial Training Phase is the phase that focuses on training of individual personnel and small units of the Marine Expeditionary Units . Many Marines attend courses or training schools that may require advancement or additional skills to meet the demand of their unit ' s quota . Training and exercises by many cooperative cross - service agencies also help set courses of instruction for the MEU ' s Command Elements , subordinate elements ( MSE ) , and the Maritime Special Purpose Force . Also , staff training is included in the MEU ' s CE and MSE elements . Because of time constraints and limited training resources , every effort must be made to efficiently use the training time available during this phase . Intermediate Training Phase . All the training and exercises that are conducted by the Marine Expeditionary Units while either on pre - deployment , or currently deployed , under a training curriculum , or not deployed operationally are during the Intermediate Training Phase . The purpose of this phase is to build unit cohesion and leadership , and emphasis on functioning as a team . A string of exercises are begun , and a MEU utilizes this time to rehearse for the upcoming Special Operations Capable Exercise that will determine their Special Operations Capable certification . At the beginning of the Intermediate Training Phase , an operational analysis is conducted by the MEU Commander in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the subordinate elements . This will also assist in developing the commander ’ s guidance regarding training priorities . Once developed , the MEU Commander will provide training guidance to improve and sustain the MSE ’ s required capabilities . Final Training Phase . The Final Training Phase is the culmination of all predeployment training activities . Its focus is on preparation for the Special Operations Capable Exercise , and predeployment embarkation requirements .