Long-range reconnaissance and surveillance

T.R.A.P. (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel)

M.I.O. (Maritime Interdiction Operations)

Hydro-graphic surveys & beach reconnaissance

Small unit raids

Selected Prisoner Snatches

Harbor reconnaissance

Underwater Searches

Evacuation of American civilians from hostile environments (countries)

The Marine Recon we know today dates back to the W.W.II.

Before 1944 the Marine Recon were primarily scout/sniper units. In April 1944 two amphibious reconnaissance battalions were formed. They started operating with UDT (Underwater Demolition Team), to conduct beach reconnaissance and hydrographic survey. The Recon Marines along with UDT reconned for the landings at Iwo Jima in 1945.

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

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

During the 1970s and 1980s the Recon went through some changes. 23-man deep reconnaissance platoons were created to compensate for the reducement of Recon Marines 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 Recon units were assigned to Direct Action missions. In 1977, snipers were again a part of the marine units.

In October 1983 Recon Marines took part in the invasion of Grenada, and in 1989 they went into Panama in Operation 'Just Cause'.

In 1990 Recon Marines were 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 Recon Marines took 238 prisoners.

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