Force Recon's mission is to conduct pre-assault and distant post-assault reconnaissance in support of a landing force. Force Recon accomplish their missions through various types of reconnaissance: zone reconnaissance, obtaining information on all routes, obstacles, terrain and enemy forces within certain boundaries; providing real time information through surveillance of areas of interest; and photographs and sketches, to provide accurate visual aids describing areas and enemies.  In addition, they possess the capability to perform the following tasks: engage the enemy by supporting arms, implant sensors, capture selected prisoners, conduct initial terminal guidance operations, conduct specialized terrain reconnaissance, and conduct special missions requiring the use of entry capabilities.

The Marine Recon we know today dates back to the WWII. Before 1944 the MR were primarily scout/sniper units. In April 1944 a two company amphibious reconnaissance battalion were formed. They started operating with UDT (Underwater Demolition Team), to conduct beach reconnaissance and hydrographic survey. The MR along with UDT reconned for the landings at Iwo Jima in 1945.

During the war in Korea the MR and UDT did a series of raids on Korea's east coast, destroying railroad tunnels and bridges. At a time the MR operated 200 miles behind enemy lines. In 1951 the MR made the first helicopter assault in the Marine Corps history.

When the marines landed in Vietnam in 1965, the MR were there to support their respective Units. In Vietnam the MR conducted deep and distant reconnaissance patrols. They mostly operated in seven-man teams performing the 'Stingray' operations. The last marines left Vietnam in 1971.

During the 1970s and 1980s the MR went through some changes. 23-man deep reconnaissance platoons were created to compensate for the reducement of the MR after the Vietnam War. The basic Recon teams were still the four-man teams. When the hostage recovery program was started in 1976 with federal law enforcement agencies and the Army Special Forces, some of the MR units were assigned to Direct Action missions. In 1977, snipers were again a part of the marine units.

In October 1983 the MR took part in the invasion of Grenada, in 1989 they went into Panama in Operation 'Just Cause' and in 1990 MR was deployed in the Gulf. Here they scouted the front lines of the Iraqi forces. They found ways through enemy lines for the marine invasion. Prior to the ground war the MR took 238 prisoners.

NOTE: The Marine Recon is not a part of Special Operation Command (SOCOM).

Stationed:

Reserve:
3rd Force Recon Company, Mobile Alabama 4th Force Recon Company, Reno Nevada and Oahu Hawaii 4th Reconnaissance Battalion-San Antonio Texas, Billings Montana, Albuquerque New Mexico, and Anchorage Alaska.
Weapons: M16A2, M203, M249 SAW, M9 Beretta Handgun, H&K MP5, M40 sniper rifle, Barret .50 caliber Heavy sniper rifle.

Active Duty:
Division Recon Company-1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton California 1st Force Recon Company, 1st SRIG, Camp Pendleton, California 2nd Recon Battalion-Camp Lejuene North Carolina(2nd Force Recon Company is now part of this unit) Division Recon Company-3rd Marine Division, Camp Butler, Okinawa Japan 5th Force Recon Company, Camp Butler, Okinawa Japan