United states marine forces special operations command marsoc is a component command of the united states special operations command that comprises the marine corps contribution to socom its core capabilities are direct action special reconnaissance and foreign internal defense marsoc has also been directed to conduct counter terrorism and information operations. Marines designated critical skills operators csos colloquially known as raiders are awarded the military occupational specialty 0372. Marine corps in the primary special operations career field for marines assigned to united states marine corps forces special operations command marsoc.
A united states marine corps critical skills operator cso is a member of the u s. Marines have always fought our nation s small wars its irregular wars the wars of the future. The marine corps is the nation s expeditionary force ready to respond to any crisis anywhere.
Becoming a marine raider. Occasionally someone will ask me for advice on how to pass the united states marine corps special operations command assessment and selection course the first step to become a marsoc raider. The regiment provides tailored military combat skills training and advisor support for identified foreign forces in order to enhance their tactical capabilities and to prepare the environment as directed by ussocom as well as the capability to form the nucleus of a joint special.
The marine raider regiment consists of a headquarters company and three marine raider battalions 1st 2d and 3d. The modern raiders are a special operations force of the united states marine corps the regiment s organization was finalized in 2007 and contains three battalions the first second and third raider battalions. The marine raider regiment formerly known as the marine special operations regiment msor is named in commemoration of their elite world war ii predecessors the marine raiders.
Edson s raiders of 1st marine raiders battalion and carlson s raiders of 2nd marine raiders battalion are said to be the first united states special. The marine raiders were elite units established by the united states marine corps during world war ii to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare particularly in landing in rubber boats and operating behind the lines. Edson s raiders of 1st marine raider battalion and carlson s raiders of 2nd marine raider battalion are said to have been the first united states special operations forces to form and see combat during world war ii.
The marine raiders are special operations forces originally established by the united states marine corps during world war ii to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare. Between 100 and 120 marines attend this course at a time and usually only 80 to 85 graduate. 5 after itc the marine will join the marine raider battalions and start the deployment cycles which are typically 10 12 months of training and a variety of short and long term deployments from 90 days to eight months.