MARSOC conducts Foreign Internal Defense, Direct Action and Special Reconnaissance
with capabilities in Unconventional Warfare , Counter Terrorism , and Information 
Operations.



Units

  
1st Marine Special Operations Battalion (Camp Pendleton, CA)

2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion (Camp Lejeune, NC)

MSOB is organized, trained and equipped to deploy for worldwide missions as directed 
by MARSOC. It will consist of five Marine Special Operations Companies (MSOCs) and 
be task-organized with personnel uniquely skilled in special equipment support, 
intelligence and fire-support. 


Marine Special Operations Advisor Group (MSOAG)
, formerly the Foreign Military 
Training Unit. Marines and Sailors of the MSOAG train, advise and assist friendly 
host-nation forces including naval and maritime military and paramilitary forces to 
enable them to support their governments’ internal security and stability, to counter-
subversion and to reduce the risk of violence from internal and external threats.


Marine Special Operations Support Group (MSOSG)
The Marine Special Operations Support Group provides specified support capabilities 
for worldwide special operations missions as directed by MARSOC. The MSOSG specifically 
provides combined arms planning and coordination, K-9 support, special operations 
communications support, combat service support (including logistics) and all-source 
intelligence fusion capability. The MSOSG can deploy tailored support detachments as 
directed by MARSOC.

Marine Special Operations School (MSOS)
The Marine Special Operations School performs the screening, recruiting, training, 
assessment and doctrinal development functions for MARSOC. 


Special Mission Training Branch-West (Camp Pendleton, CA)
Special Mission Training Branch-East (Camp Lejeune, NC)
The SMTBs provide special operations training in tactics, techniques and procedures, 
and evaluation and certification of MARSOC forces to specified conditions and standards 
for SOF. The Marines of MSOS are operators with the training, experience and mature 
judgment to plan, coordinate, instruct and supervise development of SOF special 
reconnaissance and direct action skills.