Marine Special Operations Advisor Group (MSOAG)

ShadowSpear
30 January, 2009 11:03:00

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MSOAG has been redesignated as the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), which falls under the MARSOC commander.

The Marine Special Operations Advisor Group (MSOAG) provides tailored military combat-skills training and advisor support for identified foreign forces in order to enhance their tactical capabilities and to prepare the environment as directed by USSOCOM. Marines and Sailors of the MSOAG train, advise and assist friendly host-nation forces -- including naval and maritime military and paramilitary forces -- to enable them to support their governments’ internal security and stability, to counter subversion and to reduce the risk of violence from internal and external threats. MSOAG deployments are coordinated by MARSOC, through SOCOM, in accordance with engagement priorities within the Global War on Terrorism.

Formerly known as the Foreign Military Training Unit (FMTU), MSOAG is one of the five major subordinate commands assigned to MARSOC. MSOAG provides tailored military combat-skills training and advisor support for identified foreign forces in order to enhance their tactical capabilities and to prepare the environment as directed by USSOCOM. Marines and sailors of the MSOAG assess, train, advise, and assist host-nation forces, including naval and maritime military and paramilitary forces, to enable them to support their governments’ internal security and stability, counter subversion, and reduce the risk of violence from internal and external threats. MSOAG deployments are coordinated by SOCOM in accordance with engagement priorities within the Global War on Terrorism.

The first members of MARSOC came from two primary sources: Some members of the MARSOC headquarters transferred directly from the 4th MEB (AT) headquarter when it deactivated on February 24, 2006; and the Foreign Military Training Unit (FMTU) and its existing personnel transferred directly from the 4th MEB (AT) to MARSOC.

On May 29, 2007, the Foreign Military Training Unit redesignated as Marine Special Operations Advisor Group (MSOAG).

Several platoons of Marine Force Reconnaissance have been or will be reassigned to MARSOC to form the initial Marine Special Operations Companies.

he remainder of MARSOC billets will be filled by Marines and Sailors within the service in accordance with recruiting, screening, assessment, and training procedures and policies that will be established in the days ahead. This process is considered mission-critical by the Commander, SOCOM, and will ensure that personnel selected to serve in MARSOC possess the right combination of maturity, character, skills and experience to make MARSOC successful.

Training

MSOAG teams complete a three-phase 6½ month training plan to prepare for deployment. Phase One is two weeks long and includes administrative processing, language evaluation, land navigation, and pistol and rifle refresher training. Phase Two is three months long and includes a wide range of force protection, individual, and advanced tactical skills training. Phase Three is three months long and includes advanced training in foreign weapons, language, cultures, logistics, and an operational readiness exercise.

Links

http://www.marsoc.usmc.mil/