These elite Marines combine tradition with special operations innovations

Editor’s Note: This article was sponsored by the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and contains content developed in collaboration with their team. It was originally published in April 2023.

In the world of elite military forces, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) stands as a testament to unwavering motivation and a commitment to ideals that extend far beyond the battlefield. For these elite warriors, it’s not just about physical prowess and combat proficiency – it’s about a profound dedication to principles.

From the relentless pursuit of excellence to an unshakable code of honor, MARSOC embodies a set of values and motivations that drive its members to excel, adapt, and overcome in the face of the most challenging circumstances. As MARSOC puts it, the organization enables success by imbuing Marine Raiders with “Spiritus Invictus,” or in other words, an unconquerable spirit.

The ideals of Marine Raiders

MARSOC draws its ideals from the Marine Corps’ broader core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Regardless of its special operations role, the command aims to embody these values and instill them in every Raider who becomes a part of its team.

This is reflected in MARSOC’s Personnel Resiliency (PERRES) program. PERRES aims at enabling the Marine Raiders to withstand mental, spiritual, and physical hardships while remaining “holistically” capable of completing the mission. The program emphasizes “personal and unit development of the mind, body, and spirit,” according to MARSOC.

The Command says that its Raiders are a “tightly bonded community that, due to rigor, trust, and shared hardship, endeavors to seek and lead a life less ordinary.” And for the Marine Raiders, this is far more than a slogan – it’s a way of life.

Marines in U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command’s Assessment and Selection Preparation and Orientation Course (ASPOC) conduct dynamic stretching exercises after a 10-mile hike Sept. 29, 2010 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. After intense physical training, MARSOC Marines rehabilitate through the Performance and Resiliency program; a holistic approach to physical fitness, performance enhancement and injury prevention that emphasizes personal and unit development of the mind, body, and spirit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas Provost/MARSOC)

MARSOC also prides itself on its ability to innovate, both in terms of tactics and equipment, to stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving operating environment. This adaptability is essential to succeed in today’s fast-paced operational environment.

One of the unique aspects of MARSOC’s ideals is their emphasis on unconventional thinking and adaptation. MARSOC recognizes that to be successful in unconventional warfare, the team must be able to think outside the box and quickly adapt to emerging threats and challenges. Flexibility, creativity, and innovation are critical components of the MARSOC mindset.

As Sun Tzu put it in The Art of War, “It’s more important to outthink your enemy than outfight him.” This brains-over-brawn approach is a hallmark of the entire special operations community and is thus emphasized by MARSOC.

MARSOC’s ideals also include the development of cultural understanding and linguistic proficiency. To effectively operate overseas, Marine Raiders need to possess knowledge of the local culture, customs, and language. Cross-cultural competence and sensitivity are essential attributes of MARSOC operators who work extensively with foreign partners and populations.

Finally, a commitment to developing future leaders, both within its ranks and in the broader military and civilian communities, is something MARSOC strives for. The Command recognizes that leadership is a critical aspect of operational effectiveness and that cultivating the next generation of exceptional leaders is essential to ensure long-term success.

Related: Explaining the diverse mission set of MARSOC’s commandos

Drawing motivation from the past

View of an American gun crew as they man a 75mm Pack Howitzer M1 (M1A1) emplacement for the defense of Torokina Air Field, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, mid-December 1943. (Creative Commons)

One of the main motivations behind the establishment of MARSOC was to fill the capability gap between the Marine Corps’ conventional and reconnaissance units and the special operations units of other services. The Marine Corps realized that there was a growing demand for a more agile, specialized, and rapidly deployable force that was capable of operating independently or alongside other U.S. and international special operations forces.

Historically, the United States Marine Corps has a long and proud tradition of conducting expeditionary operations and spearheading amphibious assaults – perhaps the most famous example being the Pacific War. MARSOC was established to build on this legacy and develop the Marine Corps’ capabilities in the realm of special operations. The command draws inspiration from renowned Marine Raiders and Marine Recon legends, such as Maj. James Capers Jr., Maj. Evans Carlson, and Lt. Col. Merritt Edson who epitomized the spirit of innovation, aggressiveness, and adaptability that MARSOC seeks to embody daily.

The Marine Corps’s legacy of expeditionary operations, coupled with MARSOC’s emphasis on unconventional thinking and the development of partner forces, make the Marine Raiders a critical component of the U.S. special operations community.

Feature Image: Marines from Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command present the colors during the national anthem at the MARSOC re-designation ceremony, at Stone Bay, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, June 19, 2015. The ceremony was held to officially adopt the name Marine Raider, carrying on the heritage and legacy passed along by the Raiders of World War II. During the ceremony, the units’ colors were cased and their new colors were unveiled. (Photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/MARSOC)

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