USSOCOM Fact Book - United States Special Operations Command

MARSOC PersonnelMARSOC is responsible for finding the appropriatepersonnel for service in three groups: Critical SkillsOperators, Direct Combat Support and Combat ServiceSupport.Critical Skills OperatorCritical Skills Operators are the front line Marinesand Sailors who are complex problem solvers able tooperate across the full spectrum of Special Operations insmall teams under ambiguous, sometimes austere,environments while maintaining a high level ofmental flexibility and physical endurance.CSOs exemplify the Marine Corps’ concepts ofDistributed Operations and the StrategicCorporal.Direct Combat SupportDirect Combat Support are those Marineswho have specialized training in areasincluding electronic intelligence,USSOCOM Fact Book38