MARSOC: A Way Ahead

Abstract

The Global War on Terrorism and the Department of Defense have thrust change upon the Marine Corps and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Because the Secretary of Defense mandated that the Marine Corps create a component in USSOCOM, the window for revolutionary change is open. USSOCOM needs a force with the capabilities of the Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU (SOC)). When the U.S. Marine Corps joins USSOCOM, it should create a force that does not duplicate what already exists within that organization. It also should create a force that is compatible with the Marine Corp's organizational culture. If the Marine Corps must provide a component to USSOCOM, then it should provide a capability that is distinctly, "Marine." The Marine Corps should offer, and USSOCOM should accept, placement of all MEU (SOCs) under the combatant command authority of USSOCOM. In the current war, the MEU (SOC) is the ideal force to provide the power and resilience, and ensure the unity of command for the special operations commander of all forces involved in a special operation. The Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) should have the typical service responsibilities of training and equipping forces, but it also should have an operational role in forming the core of a Joint Task Force for service in "small wars." These changes will expand the capabilities of USSOCOM and place the Marine Corps in the forefront of the Global War on Terrorism. This thesis examines the founding of USSOCOM and the Marine Corps' resistance to joining the organization; analyzes special operations doctrine and theory and how USSOCOM may view the Marine Corps' contribution to special operations doctrine; analyzes the history of special operations in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Northern Iraq to determine why some operations were successful and others failed; identifies gaps in USSOCOM's force structure; and explains how the Marine Corps can fill these gaps.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 25, 2006
Accession Number
ADA451022

Entities

People

  • Todd P. Simmons

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil War
  • Congress
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Deployment
  • Employment
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Seal Teams
  • Terrorists
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States
  • United States Central Command
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Naval Personnel Management

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control