USSOCOM Fact Book - United States Special Operations Command

Headquartered at Camp Lejeune, N.C.,the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, SpecialOperations Command is the Marine Corpscomponent of U.S. Special OperationsCommand. MARSOC trains, organizes,equips, and, when directed by theCommander USSOCOM, deploys taskorganized, scalable and responsive MarineCorps Special Operations Forces worldwidein support of combatant commanders andother agencies. MARSOC teams consistentlycreate strategic impacts because its Marinesare armed with regionally focused languageskills, cultural understanding, and state-ofthe-artequipment.In October 2005, the Secretary of Defensedirected the Marine Corps to form a servicecomponent of USSOCOM and beginproviding forces to the commander ofUSSOCOM. Formally established Feb. 24,2006, MARSOC’s initial manpowerauthorization is approximately 2,600Marines, Sailors and civilian employees.MARSOC includes three subordinatecommands: the Marine Special OperationsRegiment, Marine Special OperationsSupport Group, and the Marine SpecialOperations School.MARSOC performs the followingmissions:• Direct Action• Special Reconnaissance• Security Force Assistance• Counterinsurgency• Foreign Internal Defense• Counterterrorism• Information Operations• Civil Affairs• Military Support Operations• Counter Proliferation OperationsCommanderMaj. Gen. Paul E. LefebvreSenior Enlisted AdvisorSergeant Major Richard W. AshtonPeopleTotal Force Approximately 2,600Organization The Marine Special Operations Regiment — Camp Lejeune, N.C.• 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion — Camp Pendleton, Calif.• 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion — Camp Lejeune, N.C.• 3d Marine Special Operations Battalion — Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marine Special Operations Support Group — Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marine Special Operations Intelligence Battalion — Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marine Special Operations School — Camp Lejuene, N.C.USSOCOM Fact Book37