The bitter fighting in the Pacific Theater required new forms of warfare, and the gathering of detailed intelligence information on the remote and varied islands and their determined defenders. As a result, new scout, raider and reconnaissance units were formed‹the pioneers of today's special forces. Some units were small, while others comprised thousands of men. All contributed significantly to the war effort. This book examines a wide range of PTO special-warfare units, including the Alaskan and Alamo scouts, 5217th/1st Recon Battalion, Marine Amphibious Recon and Raider units, Amphibious Scouts, and 6th Ranger Battalion.

From the turn of the 20th century until the end of World War II, the United States Marine Corps fought a series of "small wars," starting in the Philippines in 1899, and ending in the islands of the southwest Pacific in 1945. Through this experience, the Marines perfected the prosecution of such wars in its famed Small Wars Manual, written for Marine Corps schools in the late 1930s. The present volume is a chronological examination of the various Marine expeditions in the Pacific, West Indies and Central America from 1899 through 1945, and of the lessons learned.

Well over 500 total pages ... Today’s dynamic and persistent operating environment has placed unprecedented demands on our military personnel. At no other time have the potential threats been more varied, requiring individuals who are highly intelligent, agile, ethical, tenacious, and physically fit to succeed in any climate or terrain. The Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is preparing professional combat athletes who are ready to execute missions in the largely unstructured battlefields of today and the future. MARSOC’s Performance and Resiliency (PERRES) ideology is integral to that preparation. By focusing on mind, body, and spirit, PERRES ensures that Marines not only are physically strong but also possess the mental focus and unconquerable spirit necessary to persevere under the extreme stress of a high operational tempo and through the unknowns of asymmetric warfare. PERRES trains with renewal in mind, focusing on the resilience of the individual, unit, and family. PERRES is unique in integrating high-level athletic training and nutrition with a focus on warrior values, including dedication to family, country, unit, and mission. This approach ensures that Marines are not only ready for combat missions, but also are resilient for life. Includes: MARSOC Prep Guide Assessment And Selection 10 Week Prep Guide MARSOC ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION (A&S) PREPARATION GUIDE MARSOC Training Guide Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command MARSOF Pub 1 MARSOC Command Packet MARSOC By The Numbers Marine Special Operations School UNSW/SO Duty Examination: Frequently Asked Questions STUDENT OUTLINE KNOTS AND ROPE MANAGEMENT Various Example Gear Lists Various Example Read-Ahead Packages MCWP 3-43.1 (Formerly FMFM 7-32) Raid Operations

Bloodstained Sands tells the untold story of the men who stormed beaches around the globe during World War II, from the Sword and Juno Beaches on D-Day to the sands of Iwo Jima. For the men who served in America's Amphibious Forces during World War II, the conflict was an unceasing series of D-Days. They were responsible for putting men ashore in more than 200 landings throughout the conflict, most against well-entrenched enemy positions. Bloodstained Sands: US Amphibious Operations in World War II tells the story of these forgotten men for the first time, tracing their operational history from Guadalcanal to Casablanca, Sicily, Normandy, Iwo Jima and finally Okinawa. The men's stories are told in their own voices, with fascinating accounts from Underwater Demolition Teams, Attack Transport crews and many other unsung heroes of World War II. First-hand interviews, entries from personal diaries and Action Reports create a unique history, perfectly complemented by historic illustrations and detailed maps. These are timeless tales of determination, sacrifice, and triumph of the human spirit - tales of US Amphibious Forces that for too long have gone forgotten and untold.

Tracing the history of U.S. Marine Force and Battalion Reconnaissance from its formation in 1898 through its operations during the Vietnam War (1963-1971), this book provides insight into Force Recon's selection, training and deployment. Emphasis on actions with the South Vietnamese ARVN highlights important lessons for today's Special Forces community, illustrating the inter-service cooperation of Recon operations. Firsthand accounts of Marines who served are included, along with photographs, maps and appendices.

America deployed a diverse group of special operations forces (SOF) throught World War II and in Korea. These elite units quickly earned a redoubtable reputation and proved themselves adept at hit-and-run raids, gathering intelligence in long range patrols, rescuing PoWs and living and fighting in hostile environments. This valuable study includes more than 100 rare and unusual photographs of the men, uniforms, special equipment and insignia of these elite troops. Units covered include the Marine Raider regiments and Paramarines; Ranger battalions; 'Merill's Marauders'; the Special Service Force, OSS teams; Naval CDUs; and ski and mountain troops. America's Commandos is a key addition to the G.I. Series and examines some of America's most feared and capable elite forces.