FMF 121 Recon Battalion Fundamentals

Question 1

Primary Mission of Recon Battalion

Answer 1

To conduct ground recon and observation in support of Marine Division & its elements.

Question 2

Mission difference between Force Recon & Battalion Recon

Answer 2

Force Recon: Performs its mission farther behind enemy lines & is employed by Marine Expeditionary Force.

Battalion Recon: Performs its mission closer to friendly lines and is employed by the division.

Question 3

10 tasks performed by a recon battalion

Answer 3

1. conduct amphibious recon
2. Conduct pe & post assault recon
3. Conduct surveillance
4. Conduct specialized recon
5. Conduct long range communications
6. Assist in recovery & placement of ground sensors
7. Possesses parachuting, diving, HRST skills
8. Provide guidance for helo, landing craft & parachute operations
9. Conduct battlefield shaping
10. Conduct Post-strike (Battle Damage Assessment)

Question 4

Organization of a recon battalion

Answer 4

-Organic unit of the Marine Division & composed of: HQ, service company, & 4 recon companies.

-Each recon company: HQ section, 3 platoons consisting of surface swimmers & inflatable boat handlers. Limited # are trained as underwater swimmers & parachuters.

Question 5

Objective of recon training

Answer 5

Successful execution of the reconnaissance combat mission.

*Successful employment of pre-assault and post-assault ground recon requires that training programs develop recon teams which are capable of conducting undetected activities on enemy ground under limited support from sources outside the teams.

Question 6

Progressive phases of Recon Training

Answer 6

Entry Level (Core skills; Basic Recon Course)

Advanced Individual Training (Core+ skills; Dive, Jump Courses)

Collection Training (Unit training; squad team events to battalion events)

Question 7

Training Requirements of the 3 Recon Training Levels

Answer 7

Entry level: Duties w/ recon patrols, basic weapon handling {M166/M4/SAW/M203}, land nav, basic comms, CBRNE, etc.

Advanced Individual Training: Writing patrol order, issue warning order & operation order, coordinate resupply, demolitions, advanced nautical skills (over the horizon ops & cache a small craft.)

Collective Training: Deliberate ambush, engage a target with CAS conduct submarine operations, conduct subsurface infiltration/exfiltration, conduct heliborne operations, etc.