102 United States Marine Corps (USMC) Mission and Organization Flashcards
Identify the roles and functions of the Marine Corps.
The official mission of the Marine Corps established in the 1952 Amendment to the National Security Act of 1947: employment and as a force of readiness According to the Act, Marines stand prepared to meet mission requirements:
Provide Fleet marine Forces with combined arms and supporting air components for service with the United States Fleet in the seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and for the conduct of such land operations as may be essential to the execution of a naval campaign.
Provide detachments and organizations for service on armed vessels of the Navy and security detachments for the protection of naval property at naval stations and bases.
Develop, in coordination with the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the doctrine, tactics, techniques, and equipment employed by landing forces in amphibious operations.
Provide marine forces for airborne operations, in coordination with the Army, Navy, and Air Force, according to the doctrine established by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Develop, in coordination with the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the doctrine, tactics, techniques, and equipment for airborne operations.
Expand peacetime components to meet wartime needs according to the joint mobilization plans.
Perform such other duties as the President may direct.
Identify where the three Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs) are located.
There are three standing MEFs:
I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), based in southern California and Arizona.
II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), based in North and South Carolina.
III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), based in Japan and Hawaii.
Each standing MEF consists of a permanent CE and one Marine division, MAW, and FSSG. These major commands constitute the primary reservoir of combat capabilities from which MAGTFs are sourced.
Identify where the four Marine Divisions (MARDIVs) are located.
The 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with units located at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms.
The 2nd Marine Marine Division (2d MARDIV) is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The 3rd Marine Division (3rd MARDIV) is headquartered at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, with units located at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
The 4th Marine Division (4th MARDIV) is headquartered at New Orleans, Louisiana, with units located in San Bruno, CA; Kansas City, MO; Fort Devens, MA; and Fort Worth, TX.
Identify where the four Marine Air Wings (MAW) are located.
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) is headquartered at Camp Foster, Okinawa with units in Futenma, Okinawa; Iwakuni, Japan and Kaneohe Bay, HI.
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW) is headquartered at Cherry Point, NC with units in New River, NC and Beaufort, SC.
The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) is headquartered at Miramar, CA with units in Yuma, AZ and Camp Pendleton, CA.
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW) is headquartered at New Orleans, Louisiana, with units located in Fort Worth, TX; Willow Grove, PA; Selfridge Air Base, MI; Fort Sheridan, IL.
Identify where the four Marine Logistics (MLG) Groups are located.
The 1st Marine Logistics Group (1st MLG) is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with detachments located at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.
The 2nd Marine Logistics Group (2d MLG) is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG) is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa, Japan.
The 4th Marine Logistics Group (4th MLG) is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at New Orleans, Louisiana
Describe the acronym MAGTF.
Marine Corps component commanders normally task-organize for operations by forming MAGTFs balanced, air-ground, combined arms formations under a single commander. Due to the operational flexibility inherent in its construct, the MAGTF is the principal organization for all Marine Corps missions across the range of military operations. Expeditionary by nature, MAGTFs vary in size and capability according to their assigned or likely missions and are specifically equipped for rapid deployment by air or sea.
Elements of a MAGTF
All MAGTFs consist of four core elements; a command element, a ground combat element (GCE), an aviation combat element (ACE), and a logistics combat element (LCE), as illustrated in figure 2-4.
Although MAGTFs differ in size and capabilities, standard procedures exist for organizing any MAGTF and for planning and executing its operations. As a modular organization, the MAGTF is tailorable to its mission through task organization.
This building block approach also makes reorganization a matter of routine. In addition to its Marine Corps units, a MAGTF may have attached forces from other Services and nations, such as naval construction battalions or infantry/armor brigades. A key feature of the MAGTF is its expandability. Crisis response may require a larger force than what can initially be brought to bear. Being able to expand the original force rather than replacing it with a larger one- promotes continuity of operations. The MAGTF’s modular structure facilitates rapid expansion into a larger force as a situation demands by simply adding forces as needed to the core units of each existing element.
Command Element
The command element is the MAGTF headquarters. As with all other MAGTF elements, the command element task organizes to provide the command and control capabilities necessary for effective planning, execution, and assessment of operations. Additionally, the command element can exercise command and control within a joint force from the sea or ashore and act as a joint task force headquarters core element. A command element may include additional command and control and intelligence capabilities from national and theater assets, force reconnaissance assets, signals intelligence capabilities from the radio battalion, and a force fires coordination center. A command element can employ additional major subordinate commands, such as the force artillery headquarters, naval construction regiments, or Army maneuver or engineering units.
Ground Combat Element
The GCE task-organizes to conduct ground operations in support of the MAGTF’s mission. It usually forms around an infantry organization reinforced with artillery, reconnaissance, light armored reconnaissance, assault amphibian, tank, and engineer forces. The GCE can vary in size and composition from a rifle platoon to one or more divisions. It is the only MAGTF element that can seize and occupy terrain.
Aviation Combat Element
The ACE task-organizes to conduct air operations, project combat power, and contribute to battle space dominance in support of he MAGTF’s mission by performing some or all of the following six functions of Marine aviation:
- Antiair warfare.
- Assault support.
- Electronic warfare.
- Offensive air support.
- Air reconnaissance.
- Control of aircraft and missiles.
The ACE consists of an aviation headquarters with air control agencies, aircraft squadrons or groups, and logistic units. It can vary in size and composition from a small aviation detachment of specifically required aircraft to one or more Marine aircraft wings. The ACE may operate from ships or from austere expeditionary locations ashore and can readily transition between them without loss of capability. It exercises command and control throughout the battlespace.
Logistics Combat Element
The LCE task-organizes to provide all functions of tactical logistics necessary to support the continued readiness and sustainability of the MAGTF. The LCE performs some or all six functions of tactical logistics:
- Supply.
- Maintenance.
- Transportation.
- Health services.
- General engineering.
- Other services, which include legal, exchange, food, disbursing, postal, billeting, religious, mortuary, and morale and recreation services.
See MCWP 4-1, Logistics Operations, for a detailed discussion. The LCE may vary in size and composition from a support detachment up to one or more logistic groups. The LCE operates from sea bases or from expeditionary bases established ashore. It may be the main effort of the MAGTF during foreign humanitarian assistance missions or selected phases of maritime prepositioning operations.
Describe a Special Purpose MAGTF (SP-MAGTF).
When situations arise for which a MEU or other unit is either inappropriate or unavailable, a
SPMAGTF is formed. A SPMAGTF may be of any size but normally no larger than a MEU
with tailored capabilities required to accomplish a particular mission. It may be task-organized
from non-deployed Marine Corps forces or formed on a contingency basis from a portion of a
deployed MAGTF. Regimental-level headquarters often assume the role as a SPMAGTF
command element and may conduct training in anticipated mission skills prior to establishment.
A SPMAGTF may deploy using commercial shipping or aircraft, intertheater airlift, amphibious
shipping, or organic Marine aviation.
Frequently, SPMAGTFs have conducted sea-based security cooperation activities, such as
Unitas, Southern Partnership Station and Africa Partnership Station. Others have been formed to
provide sea-based foreign humanitarian assistance or military support to civil authorities or
participate in freedom of navigation operations.
An important type of SPMAGTF is an alert contingency MAGTF. Each of the MEFs usually
maintain an alert contingency MAGTF as an on-call, rapid crisis response force. A MEF
commander may prescribe that an alert contingency MAGTF be ready to initiate deployment to
any location worldwide within a certain number of days or hours, depending on the indications
and warnings associated with an emerging crisis. Because it may need to deploy so rapidly,
readiness is paramount. Equipment and supplies intended for use as part of an alert contingency
MAGTF are identified and, where appropriate, staged for immediate embarkation. The alert
contingency MAGTF usually airlifts to a secure airfield and carries its initial sustainment.
Deployment by air necessitates that the size and weight of an alert contingency MAGTF be kept
to an absolute minimum. An alert contingency MAGTF may employ independently or in
conjunction with amphibious, maritime prepositioning, or other expeditionary forces. The rapid
deployment of the II MEF alert contingency MAGTF following the 23 October 1983 terrorist
bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Lebanon is an example of expeditionary agility by a
SPMAGTF.
Describe the four elements of Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
The MEUs, embarked aboard Navy amphibious ready groups (ARGs), form ARG/MEUs. The
ARG/MEUs provide continuous, forward naval presence in key regions to conduct steady-state
security cooperation, military engagement, and deterrence, as well as immediate response to
episodic crises and contingencies. The ARG/MEUs may also be called upon to support major
operations and campaigns in a variety of ways, such as enabling the introduction of other forces,
acting as the lead echelon for expansion to a larger formation, or providing the geographic
combatant commander an inherently mobile and flexible sea-based reserve. A MEU is
commanded by a colonel. When embarked aboard an ARG, which is commanded by a Navy
Captain, a support relationship is normally established between them. A MEU normally consists
of
A command element that may include additional command and control or signals
intelligence assets.
A GCE formed around an infantry battalion landing team reinforced with artillery,
reconnaissance, engineer, tanks, light armored reconnaissance units, assault amphibian
units, and other attachments, as required.
An ACE composed of a combat assault transport helicopter/tilt-rotor squadron, utility
and attack helicopters, vertical/short takeoff and landing fixed-wing attack aircraft,
electronic warfare aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, shore-based air refuelers/transport
aircraft, and other detachments, as required.
An LCE task-organized around a MEU combat logistics battalion, consisting of
engineering, supply, services, transportation, landing support, medical, and maintenance
capabilities.
There are seven standing MEU command elements. Six of them are in a rotation cycle that
provides continuous forward presence with two ARG/MEUs in key regions. The seventh is
permanently forward-deployed in United States Pacific Command. The seven MEU command
elements are-
11th, 13th, and 15th MEU Command Elements, under Commander, MARFORPAC,
which rotationally deploy with subordinate elements provided from I MEF.
22d, 24th, and 26th MEU Command Elements, under Commander, MARFORCOM,
which rotationally deploy with subordinate elements provided from II MEF.
31st MEU Command Elements, under Commander, MARFORPAC, is part of the
forward-deployed naval force in the Pacific. It periodically cruises with subordinate
elements provided from III MEF. These elements include units that are permanently
assigned and others temporarily provided to III MEF from the other MEFs through the
unit deployment program.
The major subordinate elements are normally assigned to rotational MEU command elements
several months prior to deployment to undergo, in concert with the ARG, an extensive training
and certification process. They usually deploy for six to seven months, carrying enough supplies
for the MEU to conduct operations ashore for fifteen days, beyond which they are normally
sustained through the integrated naval logistics system. The forward-deployed naval force
ARG/MEU has a somewhat shorter work-up and deployment cycle. While forward, ARG/MEUs
frequently conduct multiple, simultaneous missions distributed over a wide geographic area. In
2010, a single ARG/MEU concurrently conducted foreign humanitarian assistance operations in
Pakistan, strike operations in Afghanistan, and counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. In
other cases, ARG/MEUs may aggregate to conduct larger operations, as they did in 2001 to open
a lodgment for the introduction of additional forces during Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon
return from deployment, ARG/MEUs remain in a stand-by status for 30 to 60 days, prepared for
immediate redeployment in response to crisis, as happened following the 2010 earthquake in
Haiti.
Describe the four elements of Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB).
Mid-sized MAGTFs, MEBs conduct major security cooperation operations, respond to larger
crises or contingencies, or participate in major operations and campaigns such as MEB- Afghanistan. They provide the “building blocks” for forcible entry and other power projection operations,
providing the landing forces for amphibious assault and the fly-in echelons that “marry-up” with equipment and supplies delivered by maritime prepositioning ships. During Operation Desert Shield, for example, two MEBs deployed via amphibious ships while Marines
and Sailors from two other MEBs traveled to Saudi Arabia by intertheater airlift to fall in on
equipment and 30 days of supplies delivered via maritime prepositioning ships. Normally
commanded by brigadier generals, MEBs number approximately 16,000 Marines and Sailors
once their subordinate units are assigned. A MEB normally consists of
A command element that may include additional assets, such as command and control,
reconnaissance, signals intelligence capabilities from the radio battalion, and engineering
capabilities from the naval construction regiments.
A GCE composed of an infantry regiment reinforced with artillery, reconnaissance,
engineer, light armored reconnaissance units, assault amphibian units, and other
attachments as required.
An ACE composed of a combat assault transport helicopter/tilt-rotor aircraft, utility
and attack helicopters, vertical/short takeoff and landing fixed-wing attack aircraft,
fighter/attack aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, air
refuelers/transport aircraft, and requisite aviation logistic and command and control
capabilities.
An LCE task-organized around a combat logistics regiment. This element normally has
engineering; supply; services; transportation; medical; maintenance capabilities; and
landing support for beach, port, and airfield delivery operations.
There are five standing MEB command elements established to maintain close coordination and
conduct operational planning with key joint and Service headquarters. They are capable of
rapidly assuming control of forces for missions across the range of military operations:
1st MEB Command Element, under Commander, MARFORPAC, established to provide a habitual relationship with the Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group Three for the conduct of amphibious operations.
2d MEB Command Element, under Commander, MARFORCOM, established to
provide a habitual relationship with Expeditionary Strike Group Two for the conduct of
amphibious operations.
3d MEB Command Element, under Commander, MARFORPAC, established to
provide a habitual relationship with Expeditionary Strike Group Seven for the conduct of
amphibious operations.
4th MEB Command Element, which is embedded in the staff of the Commander,
United States Marine Corps Forces, Africa, may be activated for exercises and operations
as necessary to meet Commander, United States Africa Command requirements.
5th MEB Command Element, under the Commander, United States Marine Corps
Forces, Central Command, established in theater to provide Commander, United States
Central Command, a readily employable tactical headquarters for exercises and
operations, especially those conducted with Navy units and special operations forces.
Like the larger MEFs, MEBs may assimilate units from other Services or nations and grow
beyond their notional size. The MEBs are the smallest MAGTFs capable of performing all six
functions of Marine aviation. A MEB can conduct the full range of expeditionary operations and
may serve as the lead echelon of the MEF. The MEB command element can also serve as the nucleus of a joint or multinational task force headquarters.
Describe the four elements of Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).
The MEFs are the principal warfighting organizations of the Marine Corps, capable of
conducting and sustaining expeditionary operations in any geographic environment. In addition
to their warfighting role, MEFs routinely task-organize subordinate units into smaller MAGTFs or other formations to support the geographic combatant commander’s ongoing engagement and
episodic crisis response requirements. The three standing MEFs vary somewhat in size, with the
largest being approximately 40,000 Marines and Sailors. Normally commanded by a lieutenant
general, each includes
A command element of one MEF headquarters group.
A GCE of one Marine division (MARDIV).
An ACE of one Marine aircraft wing (MAW).
An LCE of one Marine logistics group (MLG).
There are three standing MEFs:
I MEF, based in southern California and Arizona, under Commander, MARFORPAC.
The major subordinate commands within I MEF are the 1st MARDIV, 3d MAW, and 1st
MLG.
II MEF, based in North and South Carolina, under Commander, MARFORCOM. The
major subordinate commands within II MEF are the 2d MARDIV, 2d MAW, and 2d
MLG.
III MEF, based in Okinawa, mainland Japan, Hawaii, and Guam, under Commander,
MARFORPAC. The major subordinate commands within III MEF are the 3d MARDIV,
1st MAW, and 3d MLG.
A deployed MEF, in addition to its normally assigned units, may command units from other
MEFs, the Marine Corps Forces Reserve, other Services and nations, and USSOCOM. When
augmented with forces from other MEFs, a deployed MEF can have multiple GCEs, such as I MEF during Operation Desert Storm, which had both 1st and 2d MARDIVs as well as a US
Army armored brigade. Augmenting aviation units from other Marine sources normally operate
within a single ACE. Additional Marine Corps, Navy, and Army logistic units may augment an
LCE, as happened during Operation Desert Storm. Allied or coalition units may attach to a MEF, as the United Kingdom’s 3 Commando Brigade did during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Given the
foregoing, MEFs have grown to more than 90,000 Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers.
A MEF typically deploys by echelon with 60 days of sustainment, which can be extended
through external support from other Services or a host nation. The MEF commander and his staff
can form the nucleus for a joint task force, combined task force, or functional component
headquarters.
Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)
A MEF (Fwd) is normally the lead echelon of a MEF or, for some contingencies, it can be a
standalone MAGTF capable of sustained expeditionary operations. A MEF (Fwd) is normally
smaller than a MEF and larger than a MEB. For example, a MEF (Fwd) commanded by a Marine
major general deployed on a rotational basis to execute combat operations in Operations Iraqi
Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The GCE of the MEF (Fwd) normally consists of a division (-)
or multiple regiments.
