MARINE RAIDERS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS SPECIAL OPERATIONS | MARSOC
“Always Faithful, Always Forward”
Unit Overview
The Marine Raiders are the United States Marine Corps’ special operations force, serving under the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). They conduct direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense missions.
The Raider name was revived in 2015 to honor the legendary World War II Marine Raiders. Today’s Raiders combine Marine Corps ethos with special operations capabilities, operating in small teams to train allied forces and conduct sensitive missions worldwide.
Raider Equipment
- Mk 18 CQBR Close Quarters Rifle
- Mk 48 Mod 1 Light Machine Gun
- Polaris MRZR All-Terrain Vehicle
- AN/PVS-31 Dual Tube NVGs
Key Operations
Raiders conducted counter-insurgency operations and trained Afghan commandos throughout the Afghanistan campaign.
MARSOC teams advised and accompanied Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service units during the fight against ISIS.
Continuous security force assistance missions across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
CLASSIFIED: Assessment & Selection
Marines must complete the 3-week Assessment and Selection (A&S) course, testing physical fitness, problem-solving, and resilience under stress. Successful candidates attend the 9-month Individual Training Course (ITC), the longest special operations training pipeline in the Department of Defense.
ITC includes Small Unit Tactics, Advanced Weapons, Communications, Close Quarters Battle, Survival, and Language training. Graduates earn the Critical Skills Operator (CSO) MOS and are assigned to one of three Raider Battalions or the Marine Special Operations Support Group.
