| Marine Division Reconnaissance | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Active | 1944-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Department of the Navy |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Special Operation Capable |
| Role | Supported of Ground Combat Element of MAGTF in ground and amphibious reconnaissance |
| Motto | Celer, Silens, Mortalis ("Swift, Silent, Deadly") |
| Engagements | World War
II Korean War Vietnam War Persian Gulf War Kosovo War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom |
The United States Marine Corps's division reconnaissance battalions, or commonly called Marine Division Recon, are the reconnaissance assets of Marine Air-Ground Task Force that provide division-level ground and amphibious reconnaissance to the Ground Combat Element. Division reconnaissance teams are employed to observe and report on enemy activity and other information of military significance in close operations. Their capabilities are similar to those of Force Recon, but do not normally insert by parachute, nor provide direct action.[1]
The division also has other substantial organic reconnaissance assets. The Scout/Sniper platoons may be attached to regimental reconnaissance battalions to provide long-range precision fire superiority. These sniper Marines function as recon assets as well to provide surveillance and target acquisition to the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), known as STA snipers.
Contents |
Deep Reconnaissance Platoons, or DRPs are units within Recon Battalions that carry out the role of Force Reconnaissance. The first DRPs were formed in March of 1975 after the conclusion of American involvement in the Vietnam War, when the Marine Corps was downsized; Force Recon was reduced to a single regular company. Both 1st and 3d Battalion received a 23-man Deep Reconnaissance Platoon.[2] DRPs gained additional importance in 2006, when all active-duty Force Recon companies were transferred to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and became Marine Special Operations Battalions. Force Recon Marines not in an MSOB became part of the DRPs, which were placed in the Delta Companies of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Recon Battalions.[3]
The standard recon platoon in a Recon Battalion consists of:
Platoon Commander: Captain
Platoon Sergeant: Gunnery Sergeant
Field Radio Operator: Corporal or Sergeant
Special Equipment NCO: Corporal or Sergeant
Hospital Corpsman: Petty Officer Second Class
Recon Teams x3
The Marine Corps's division-level reconnaissance was first conceived in 1941 by Lieutenant Colonel William Whaling. He needed a group of specialized scouts and skilled marksmen to form a "Scout and Sniper Company". Two of the newly established Marine divisions, 1st and 2nd Marine Division contained their own scout company. Larger infantry regiments called for more recon, scouts and sniper assets. By 1945, the divisions had instituted and organized their own scout-sniper, light armored reconnaissance (LAR), and division reconnaissance assets.
As a result of MCO 5401.5, dated 24 August 1952, the USMC Force Restructure and Implementation Plan, the Marine Corps shrunk its forces and as a result reconnaissance battalions were eliminated and reconnaissance companies became a part of infantry regiments.
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   | 1st Recon Battalion Association - 1st Recon Bn. Association Opening Page |
| | The 2D Reconnaissance Battalion Association - 2D Reconnaissance Battalion Association - Offline |
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