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New Name for USMC MARSOC. Thoughts?
Stars and Stripes | Aug 07, 2014 | by Jon Harper
WASHINGTON — In honor of their legendary World War II predecessors, Marine Corps special operators will now be referred to as “Marine Raiders” according to a proclamation issued Wednesday by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos.
The original Raiders, formed after the attack on Pearl Harbor to fight behind enemy lines, battled Japanese troops from 1942 to 1944. Members of the elite force earned seven Medals of Honor for their heroism during the war, according to the Marine Corps.
Some consider the four Raider battalions that fought in the Pacific to be America’s very first special operations units.
“United States Marines take great pride in our special operations and irregular warfare heritage … From this point forward, the Marines of MARSOC will be officially aligned with the Marine Raiders of World War II and are charged with maintaining the high standards and traditions that accompany such distinction,” Amos said.
Maj. Gen. Mark Clark, the outgoing commander of Marine Corps Special Operations, embraced the new name at a MARSOC change of command ceremony.
5 Answers
- NavyCrabLv 77 years agoFavorite Answer
Marine Raiders? I like that; it sounds much better than MARSOC. Though, I will not admit that to my boss, and I am still going to come with some $hit to say to him (a former Marine with just as big of a mouth as me).
- 7 years ago
"In the news release announcing the change, the Marine Corps said the move was partly an effort to fulfill a desire by members of the original Raiders to have their name carried on by the Marines."
For the old Raiders to have their name carry on, I would be ok with it. Otherwise, I would agree with Maj. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, the first commander of MARSOC, when he aid, "Yes, we have a name for them, we will call them Marines."
MARSOC didn't come from the Raiders any more than today's Rangers have any link with Rangers of the past.
- 7 years ago
Hmmm, Well I'm not sure...I'd have to hear more details...the guys at the sharp end of the marsoc spear are all Recon Marines and Force Recon Marines and The Corps also has Battalion Recon units (Recon Marines) and Division Recon units (Force Recon Marines) that are indigenous to the Fleet Marine Force (i.e. not part of or controlled by marsoc)....since marsoc became operational it has raised a number of organizational issues in The Corps and this sounds like another one...I'm not sure if I am in favor of it or not.
Source(s): a U.S. Marine vet who spent 11 months in Iraq in 2004-2005 (3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, attached to 31st MEU), mostly in anbar province. I am now a multi degreed engineer working for America's largest defense contractor. - WraethLv 77 years ago
I think it is a great tribute to the Men of the Marine Raider Battalions. They should carry the name with pride.
Source(s): US Army Scout - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- 7 years ago
This increases the list of good things Amos has done to a length of one.
