USSOCOM Fact Book - United States Special Operations Command

equipment support, intelligence and fire support.Marine Special Operations CompanyEach Marine Special Operations Company iscommanded by a Marine Corps Major and is capable ofdeploying task-organized expeditionary SpecialOperations Forces to conduct special reconnaissance anddirect action missions in support of the geographiccombatant commanders. When deployed, each MSOC isaugmented with a direct intelligence and enablercapability. The enabling capabilities include a vast arrayof support ranging from explosive ordnance disposal tomilitary dog handlers.Marine Special Operations TeamEach Marine Special Operations Team is comprisedof 14 Marines and is the backbone of MARSOF. AnMSOT can conduct operations in remote areas andaustere environments for extended periods with minimalexternal direction and support. The teams help develop,organize, equip, train, and advise or direct indigenousforces. MSOTs conduct Foreign Internal Defense andother SOF disciplines tasked to MARSOC. Each teamhas a robust language capability and direct intelligencelinks to the MSOC as well as access to the company’senabling assets.Marine Special Operations Support GroupThe Marine Special Operations Support Group islead by a Marine Corps Colonel and is tasked to train,equip, structure, and provide speciallyqualified Marine forces, includingoperational logistics, intelligence, MilitaryWorking Dogs, Firepower Control Teamsand communications support in order tosustain worldwide special operationsmissions.Marine Special OperationsIntelligence BattalionOn Jan. 1, 2010, MARSOC establishedMarine Special Operations IntelligenceBattalion. The newly created battalion wasformed to train, sustain, maintain combatreadiness and provide task-organizedintelligence support at all operationallevels in order to support MARSOF.Marine Special Operations SchoolThe Marine Special Operations Schoolscreens, assesses, selects, and trainsMarines and Sailors for special operationsassignments in MARSOC; provides bothinitial and advanced individual specialoperations training; plans and executesthe component exercise program; andserves as MARSOC’s training andeducation proponent in support ofMARSOC requirements. MSOS isheaded by a Marine Corps colonel.MSOS is tasked to:• Conduct a formal Assessment andSelection program• Conduct an entry-level special operationstraining course to train NCOs and company gradeofficers for special operations assignments withinMARSOC• Conduct MARSOC’s component exerciseprogram• Conduct special operations advanced andspecialty courses• Develop MARSOF standards, doctrine andTactics, Techniques and Procedures• Serve as MARSOC’s proponent for weapons andoptics requirements• Serve as the training and education link betweenMARSOC, USMC and SOCOM component SOF schoolsto support MARSOC requirements• Conduct Advanced Linguist Courses• Conduct Advanced Skill CoursesUSSOCOM Fact Book41