What it takes to be a MARSOC Marine Raider

Ever wonder what it takes to be a part of the Marine Special Operations Command?

More than 100 Marines accomplished the first step in the grueling process of becoming a Critical Skills Operator after successfully completing Phase I of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command’s Assessment and Selection aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 6, 2015.

The next MARSOC screening team tour is scheduled for West Coast units on the following dates;

Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., March 3-4
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10-12
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 18-19
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Az., March 30-April 1
Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 7-8

[BT_Spanky]

He said, “We also swim.”
Translation: They do lots of swimming

[redtib]

look everyone. if you are seriously thinking about MARSOC contact a MARSOC recruiter for all your questions. They will tell you everything you need to know. As for the guys that arent Marines yet that want to go MARSOC, worry about becoming a Marine first. You'll need a few years in before being able to submit a package for MARSOC

[eriklocs]

My older brother (28) who is one year older than I am is in MARSOC. He's been to Mexico where he helped the Mexican military how to train their dogs. He's also been to south africa, germany, and many other countries where he has done different tasks. About a year ago they discharged his awesome dog from the team due to PTSD and we adopted him.

[all-timealien]

1:38 My man is doing that obstacle course w/o a head, respect!

[richardsnyder]

I joined the marines a little over 40 years ago, 0311. And i just wanted to give you guys today a thumbs up. You do have your shit together, no two ways about it. Bigger, faster, smarter, better gear and better trained. From a old grunt who is now a key board ranger.... Semper Fi

[cm-prys]

3 things:
1. MARSOC needs a reserve component. As much as we love our Army Brothers, there should be no reason we are losing stellar Recon and MARSOC Marines to the 19th and 20th Special Forces Groups. So many good Marines are willing to reenlist and train up to try and attend A&S and ITC, BUT, they just want to focus on school, a career, or to simply spend more time with family. We used to have a 4th Marine Raider Battalion.
2. MARSOC should have a Warrant Officer rank and position/ billet within the T/O like the Green Berets do. Say a Marine that is already a Corporal or Sergeant has just passed ITC and been selected to head to a MSOT. He is looking at picking up Staff and maybe Gunny/ MSgt., and he intends to finish out his 20 years in a great unit like MARSOC (as opposed to a conventional unit). Giving them the chance to become a “037X Special Operations Warrant Officer” would not only challenge him with more responsibility, but provide more money to earn for the rest of his career and retirement. He would just have to pass a screening, Warrant Officer Candidate School, and maybe a “MARSOC Warrant Officer Course”. Compare this to the only other option a CSO has- attending OCS, TBS, and maybe IOC, then serving a tour in the FMF before returning to MARSOC just to have a couple pumps on a MSOT before getting put in a staff position. Ideally, this Warrant Officer position would spend more time in an operational capacity on a MSOT, Vice the command time of a SOO.
3. MARSOC should have their own aviation component. Having a dedicated aviation wing like the 160th SOAR would not only increase competency in aviators that fly for MARSOC, but a stronger trust in pilots by CSOs/SOOs, and a chance to further the careers of Marine aviators and stand out from their peers. A short selection course like the 160th SOAR’s Green Platoon would work too. We could even offer Warrant Officer Flight Contracts to enlisted Marines instead of losing them to the Army.


Giving our Marines options helps to retain them instead of losing them to another branch. Simple changes to retain quality Marines. Everyone wins.

[christicarner]

My Grandson is going to Camp Lejeune in January 2017 training to become a U.S. Marine Raider.  So proud of him and his unwaivering love of country.

[ignaciomayenthegoldenrule]

Hardcore stuff. Joined the Marines at 17. The small disciplines like paying myself first have helped me a lot. Having the GI Bill, field mindset and garrison mindset. Once I married a teacher I understood how much value the Marines can offer a person. Served with high motivation. Respect for all past, present and future Marines.

[MVK_GS]

I was in Army SF for 15 years and served alongside MARSOC operators in Afghanistan. Those fellas are top notch and - to be honest - I preferred working with them than with the NSW fellas. From a "corporate culture" aspect, for lack of a better phrase, we were very compatible in how we planned and operated. The Raiders are just quality all around and are true Quiet Profesionals.

[starrbright]

From the daughter of Marine Raider from WWII, you guys are carrying a large group of heroes on your backs. In WWII the motto was "Gung Ho, " or Work Together. Keep up the good work!

[jeanwissinger]

My dad was a Marine Raider on Iwo Jimo, the became a DI at Perris Island. Tough guy.

[brandonbrister]

I'm totally ready for MARSOC im prestige master is black ops 2 and rank 80 in MW3 and im a 5 star general in black ops 3 and im a warrent officer in HALO so if they ask me to join ill say maybe because my skill set is unmatched. My driving is at the highest level I play Forza 6 on my brand new XBOX i beat the entire campaign on normal difficulty and same goes for grand truismo. Also my gta 5 character as maxed out stats such as stamina and strength so why are people saying navy seals are hard? psssh its easy for me

[cameronhale]

I have Bootcamp in December. I'm getting an infantry contract. And, I'm aiming for the Raiders

[kungfuchopsticks]

my dad was a military marine and seeing what happend to him after the vietnam war him leaving me and my mom to fend for ourselfs I became very wary of the military and all of its beliefs but of course I was only a child back then I just finished watching the documentary they did on the triple O.G Marine Raiders and all I can say is it made me proud of my dad for serving in the military and opend my eyes to the possibility of me joining if I do all I can say is I want to have the prevelage to fight along side the most elite and kickass team in the world the Marine Raiders

[crybaby]

1:36 He lost his head already in Basic!

[leonidas]

this hurts my knee and back just watching this...

[anthonycooper]

Much tougher pipeline, resulting in a different, and more mature operator, that can work along side all of the U.S. special operators.

[anthonypfannenstein]

Semper Fi Marines! Raiders! RECON! GRUNTS! AIR WINGERS! FSSG! Just dropping in to express my deep gratitude to all of you for all that you do to keep our nation secure. Also to express my confidence for the future of this country simply by knowing we have people in our country, and in our Corps like you, that are willing and capable of what doing what you do! I owe my Drill Instructors a debt of gratitude I can never repay. But I will continue to try. I'm no longer in the Marine Corps. My time has come and gone. Now I serve our country in the medical field, caring for our nations veterans and seeing to it they receive the best care I can possibly give to them. For all future Marines who may read this. If you're thinking about joining us, believe it or not, your mind is already made up. Just do it, if you can. You will etch your name into history as part of a family, the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. You will forever be part of a family that includes names like "Chesty Puller, John Basilone, Dan Daly, Smedley Butler, Brad Kasal, R. Lee Ermey, James Anderson jr, Eugene Sledge, Oscar P. Austin, Carlos Hathcock, and many many more." The time for pondering is over. If you express the desire to be part of the best then damn it, do it! And go all the way! Don't hold back, you give the Marine Corps everything you got and I promise you the reward will greatly outweigh your effort. Semper Fi! and Good Luck!

[hacksaw]

FROM A OLD MARINE RAIDER  THE 7th RAIDER GROUP 1965, 66, 67.  SEMPER FI    THE  CORPS IS THE CORPS  AND THE CORPS  WILL ALWAYS BE THE CORPS.   I'M PROUD OF ALL YOU MEN AND WOMEN MARINES!

[frxstbite]

Just talked to my recruiter today, I'm about 5 lbs. Underweight and I have to make that up by Monday, but I'm absolutely thrilled