Marines/TRADOC/Soundingboard5

Maquis Forces International
Marine College
Recon Marine Manual
By
Force Colonel Larry Henderson
Colonel Cary Griffin
Major Marc Easterly
Gunnery Sargeant Mikel Beggs
M.F.M.C.

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THE RECON CREED

Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me. Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal. Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life. Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics -- The title of Recon Marine is my honor. Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure; To overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission. On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition. Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate. Never shall I forget the principles I accepted to become a Recon Marine. Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart. A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what others can only imagine.

Index

Introduction

Purpose of creation

The Recon badge

Requirements of a Recon candidate

Organization

General Equipment

==Areas of Responsibility==          Introduction Silens, Celer, Mortalitas. "Silent, Swift, Deadly" This is the Recon Motto. Living or dead, leave no man behind, could be another.  The galaxy over, the word Marine defines something more than a soldier. It arouses the image of a warior on the boundlessness of space, coming from the mystique of the black onto the land, an amphibian, a soldier of the sea. The aura is of one who is different and of whom more is expected. To be a Maquis Forces Marine requires more than mastery of the skills and techniques of soldiering or spacemanship, the practical abilities that come through training and experience. Being a Marine is a state of mind that comes from an imbedded belief that he or she is, in fact, unique, a cut above. A Marine is, most of all, part of an organization that demands difference, and delivers excellence beyond others in all it is and does. This is the Corps, the strongest brotherhood in the galaxy. Among those not in the proffession of arms, the notion exists that military service is simply another job alternative; that soldiers go to work with only pay and benefits in mind. Being a Marine has never been just a job, just a paycheck, an occupational specialty, or an insignia of rank. Being a Marine comes from the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor that is tatooed indelibly on the innermost being of those priviledged to earn the title. It is a searing mark, one that does not fade over time. "There's no such damned thing as an ex-Marine! Once a Marine, always a Marine!" to dispute this is to invite a brawl. Nowhere else in the MFMC is this pride more evident. The most highly trained, highly motivated members of the Maquis armed forces. Nearly every ship has a Marine Detachment. Perhaps you've seen the Scarlet Beret, the look of grim determination. Read on and see if you have what it takes to be an Elite among the Elite!  Purpose of Creation To supplement Fleet Marine Force with Deep Reconnaissance ability.   Marine Force Recon personnel, or "operators", perform highly specialized, small scale, high-risk operations, such as: Deep ground surveillance. Assisting in specialized technical missions such as Radio, sensors and beacons, etc. Assisting in ordnance delivery (i.e., designating targets for close air support, artillery and naval gunfire). Conducting "limited scale raids", such as the capture of specific personnel or sensitive materials, Hostage/prisoner of war rescue, Protection of V.I.P.'s.   The Recon badge The badge has a unique history of its own. designed by the founding members of  Recon, each part of the badge has a special symbolism. The crossed arrows signify the unconventional nature of Recon. An arrow is a weapon launched deep into an enemy formation and is usually unseen until it strikes. The dagger, a weapon of stealth, used up close and to devastating effect. The Maquis shield, to remind us always to remember that, we are Maquis.   Requirements of a Recon candidate  Required courses: New member exam, Marine Boot camp.  Recommended courses: Marine NCO course and, or Marine OCS course, Basic Convention Security officer, Advanced Convention Security, Security Team Commander, Cell Command College  Candidates in the Recon Marine training require careful and rigid selection process. Unit Commanders must initially screen the individual's records for potential aptitude before recommending one for the training. The rigorous training program and the increased risks in combat require high motivation and the ability to learn a variety of skills. Therefore he must have excellent personal records.  The Marine Recon School guidelines for screening a candidate are as follows:  Marksmanship. The Recon candidates must be an expert marksman and must pass the standard AFP Record Firing as expert. Physical Condition. The Recon Marine, often employed in extended operations with little sleep, food or water, must be in outstanding physical condition. Good health means better reflexes, better muscular control and greater stamina. His Physical Fitness Test results should be above average based on AFP standards. Vision. Eyesight is the Recon Marines prime tool. Therefore, a Recon Marine must have 20/20 vision. Color blindness is considered a liability to the Marine due to his inability to detect concealed targets that blend in with the natural surroundings. Mental condition. Recon candidates must pass the Neuro-psychological Exam conducted by psychologist of the Major Service Command. These are "not" the typical exams that military personnel are required to take for reenlistment or promotion. This exam is specially configured to determine the candidate's reliability, loyalty, initiative, discipline and emotional stability. Smoking. The Recon Marine should not be a smoker. Smoke of an unsuppressed smoker's can betray the Marine's position. Even though a Recon Marine may not smoke on a mission, his refrainment from nicotine intake may cause nervousness and irritation, which lowers his efficiency. The Commander's involvement in personnel selection for Recon Marine training is critical. To ensure his candidate's successful completion of training, the Commander must ensure that the candidate meets the prerequisites set by The Marine Recon School.  Organization Force Reconnaissance detachments are deployed within a type of larger Marine Corps unit called a Marine Detachment or "MAR-DET"  these groups, with their attendant MAR-DETs, are deployed throughout Maquis space at any given time. The mobility and continual rotation of these formations is integral to current Marine Corps operating procedure, which sets a stated goal of being able to field a MAR-DET on any world within twelve hours of an order being given. There are currently thirtyseven MAR-DETs operational throughout Maquis patrolled areas, These range from listening posts, starbases, and Fleet Marine Detachments.   The structure of a Force Reconnaissance Company is more similar to that of an infantry battalion than a standard company. The command element includes the Commanding Officer or CO (normally a Lieutenant Colonel), Executive Officer or XO (normally a Major), a Sergeant Major and the S1 (Administrative), S2 (Intelligence), S3 (Operations), S4 (Logistics) and S6 (Communications) officers. The bulk of the Company is divided into six platoons, under a Platoon Commander (Captain) and a Platoon NCO (Sergeant, Staff Sergeant or higher). One of the three platoons is a scout/sniper unit retained from the MAR-DETs Battalion Landing Team. Force Recon units also include Fleet Corpsmen as integrated combat medical personnel, and, like corpsmen in all Marine Corps units, these corpsmen receive the exact same training as the members of the units they support. 

Areas of Responsibility Due to its flexibility, Recons Area(s) of Responsibility (AOR) is varied. It has four main AORs; by no means is this list exhaustive.

1. VIP escort and protection At request Recon members may be responsible for assisting and protecting their assigned dignitary at various events.

2. Honor Guard At request for weddings of MFI personnel or other such events where an Honor Guard would be appropriate.

3. General Reconnaissance This would be Recon for information, an event layout, items, and other such proper assignments. Recon will also provide information on special events, conventions, contests, gaming, etc., under its "military intelligence" aspect.

4. Convention Security

This would be a properly trained force of personnel to act as and run security at any and all Fan Conventions.