By OUSMCC, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina —
Marines serving in the military occupational specialties of critical skills operators (0372) and special operations officers (0370), are now authorized to wear the newly created breast insignia.
This change will be reflected in updates to Marine Corps Orders 1200.17E and P1020.34G.
The new uniform item, now referred to as “Marine Special Operator Insignia,” will be awarded to Marines at the completion of the Individual Training Course (ITC). ITC is an extensive five-phase training program that prepares selected Marines for global special operations duties, roles and responsibilities, for 196 days before heading to more specialized curriculums. In total, these Marines complete no less than 268 days of training before joining the operating forces.
“The individual MARSOC operator must be trained and educated to think critically and function in an increasingly complex operating environment — to understand and interact in dynamic, dangerous and politically-sensitive battlefields,” said Maj. Gen. Carl E. Mundy III, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. “Our rigorous training pipeline ensures that a newly minted critical skills operator has developed the skills required for full spectrum special operations. This badge serves as a visual certification that they have trained and prepared to accept their new responsibilities.”
The center of the 2” x 2.75” insignia consists of the bald eagle, representing the United States, with outstretched wings to symbolize the global reach of the U.S. Marine Corps. A dagger clutched by the eagle reflects the emblem of Marine Raider Battalions and the Marine Special Operations School. The Southern Cross constellation superimposed on the dagger represents the historic achievements of the Marines serving during the Pacific campaign of WWII, specifically those actions on Guadalcanal. The Southern Cross remains a part of the legacy of modern-day Marine Corps Raider units.
“It’s a representation of the pride and legacy that dates back to the Marine Raiders of World War II. This badge will distinguish a SOF-qualified Marine, just as the combat crew wings distinguish an aviation crew chief or the jump wings and dive bubble distinguish a Recon Marine,” said a critical skills operator.
The Latin phrase “Spiritus Invictus” is inscribed on the scroll above the eagle’s head, translating to, “Unconquerable Spirit.” Marines must demonstrate that spirit during their arduous curriculum in order to attain the MOS and be awarded the Marine Special Operator Insignia.
The device the Marine Corps actually chose is quite a bit different than the variant seen below which was developed by some CSOs a couple of years ago.
Tags: MARSOC
That shield is missing something…
That gold one is gay.
The Silver one is badass. Like off a metal album or something.
Recon Jack was awesome, so of course it was passed over
I generally try to keep my comments at least somewhat serious, but that 2nd insignia just gave me a massive moto-boner.
make it more simple , try to erasing the head of eagle, Claw , tail, ribbon flag, and make a dagger a little smallest. like this picture https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1077454765625589&set=p.1077454765625589&type=3&theater
Removing the skull ruined it. And the Eagle looks like a seagull.
That’s funny, I wonder if others think it looks like a seagull and if that’s going to become the unofficial nickname for the badge, “the seagull”, sort of like how the SEAL’s badge is called a Budweiser.
Albatross
Ok, now that’s funny.
Ah… the ‘Recon Jack’ badge is indeed cooler, but I can see it being issued privately by the cadres? Anyways, congrats to the Raiders!
Kind of seems like a case of “Budweiser” envy. And, there is nothing there to denote amphibious capability, or being part of the Naval services. Seems like they went out of their way to distance themselves from Recon. Overall, very uninspiring.
im surprised they went with a dagger instead of the bowie the raiders carried in ww2 , and i do wish they went with recon jack … oh well
I got a fever and the only cure is “More Trident”
First off, “Jump Wings” and a “Scuba Bubble” do not necessarily identify a “Reconnaissance Marine” as you do not pin them on when you graduate BRC. They are only awarded after you complete the schools and perquisites to earn them. Some Recon Marines (depending on their length of service), NEVER become “Dual Cool”
This is MARSOC’s “Black Beret” recruiting ploy to attract candidates. As we all know, the Marine Corps has a small base to draw from and Reconnaissance and MARSOC are in direct competition for those people.
Mark my words, one of the topics of discussion at the next Reconnaissance Overarching Advisory Group (ROAG) will be the adoption of a “Reconnaissance Badge”, which of course will be devoid of a skull or anything not PC. Heck, there will probably be different classes of it to denote jump, dive and MFF qualifications.
I will even go so far to predict that the Marine Corps will adopt sew on badges so that when you’re in the field everyone will know that the wearer is CSO, Reconnaissance Marine, rotor head, zommie or whatnot.
Call me crazy, but I think there should be more effort put into adopting a service common combat uniform / camouflage pattern, boots, load bearing and PPE than adopting badges.
You’re nuts, because we had that…oh, we had that, and it was glorious…
Brings a tear to the eye just to think about it…
MAD MAN YOU ARE A MAD MAN !
I imagine a glorious day when the conventional Army and Marine Corps team up and field a common family of individual combat equipment that will be used by all conventional DoD forces. A day when the Marines remove name tapes and return to ironing on an EGA atop “USMC” on the pocket.
Call me crazy, but it worked for SPEAR (before AOR-1 & 2) and SOPMOD.
More likely to see the Air Force fold back into the Army then military-common uniforms.
Even if it makes sense, saves money, etc.
Bingo! Bring back the Army Air Corps!
Having been in both the Army and the Air Force, I can tell you that is a bad idea.
At least its not as bad as the ‘swishy sheep’ / ‘Princess Leiea’ Mountain Warfare badge…
Now that’s funny. If the Mountain Warfare badge didn’t look so bad, it would have been approved for wear years ago.
At first glance I hated it, but now it’s growing on me. Southern cross belongs to 1st MarDiv – wonder what trouble that will cause.
Pulling the skull off was absolutely the right move. At best it presents a juvenile view of war and violence unbecoming of the mature professionals they guys (and gals maybe?) are supposed to be. At worst it recalls the cap insignia of the Waffen SS. Not cool either way.
I always felt the only insignia I needed was the eagle, globe and anchor. BUT, these Marines clearly work incredibly hard to get the CSO rating – they deserve special recognition. I’m for it.
If you new the significance of the Skull, bullet holes and crack as well as all the other aspects of the “Jack” you wouldn’t have made this comment.
But here you are..
Agree with Cool Arrow Kicker. Waffen SS? First I’ve heard anyone connect the two…maybe a Freudian slip?
and the SS stole the deaths head from the friekorps and they took it from prussian hussars i mean we can keep going farther back but the skull and cross bones have used by military units around the world for centuries
Yep here I am.
Granted skull art has never appealed to me, but I took your point and educated myself. Knowing what they represent doesn’t change my mind though. This is an emblem that will be worn as part of the uniform. These Marines will be representing themselves to the public and not just each other. Keeping the skull out was the right call. They can still wear it on t-shirts like many other units with unofficial emblems do.
Regarding the SS reference, no Freudian slip. Remember the scout sniper episode? The skull just better left out of public view.
I’ll admit too that I was mentored by a Col whose memory of recon in Vietnam was of a bunch of guys who were always getting themselves in a jam and needing the regular grunts to get them out.
My own exposure to Force was mixed. Among them were points of light that I very much respected but the organization as a whole generated an “otherness” about them that was not always matched by their behavior or their performance.
The MARSOC Marines from what I’ve read have a much more intense selection process and are much more thoroughly trained and capable. I wish them all luck, and I think they have and excellent new insignia.
The Scout Sniper episode? You mean where the whole world got butthurt over a stupid flag and the Marine Corps sold them out? The Sig runes (that’s what the fancy S bolt is) are Norse and they mean “victory.” SS=Victory Squared, damn cool…but yes those Nazi losers used it. Mind you, the Scout Sniper community has been using the runes since the 1950’s and it was NEVER an issue until Amos decided to make it one.
But let’s keep this to MARSOC…
“Are we the baddies”?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn1VxaMEjRU
HAHA Perfect!
BDC MONICA?
A “juvenile view of war and violence unbecoming….” really? Are you forgetting this: “The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and/ or repel enemy assault by fire and close combat.” Central to that: Killing people. It’s OK to take pride in that. It’s a far cry from Scout Snipers using SS runes. And also, it’s going to be a loooooooooong time before any gals make it through ITC. 30 some of them (hand picked) haven’t even made it through IOC yet.
Yes, really.
No I’m not forgetting what is required in war. I want to suggest that what you meant was that one should take pride in doing one’s duty however awful and regrettable the business may be. Killing itself is a sad task and should never be viewed otherwise, no matter the enemy or how necessary or just his death may be.
While I may agree it’s not the same as the scout sniper screw up, we need to remember that public perception matters. MARSOC (or any other Marine unit) is not it’s own private gun club. Americans want to believe their Marine Corps strives towards nobility. I think the new emblem does a good job of representing that ideal.
I agree regarding gals; I was just being a little PC. I’m sure there are valid roles for women in select special operations functions, but as general multi-task CSOs, I don’t see it happening. I think the whole effort to try to incorporate women into combat arms is a waste. I am glad to see flexed arm hangs go away. Never made any sense to me.
This is only worn on Cammies and Blues. The public will seldom see this on the chest of a Marine. Not like CSO’s are being used as recruiters in Podunk USA. Every MARSOC guy I ever met while I was in the Corps was wearing civvies or FROGS.
Why are you people arguing with this Tom Vagina? Clearly he has mistaken this site for some sort of wine sipping communist dick sucking discussion forum
Obviously MARSOC’s choice appeals to tree hugging bisexuals like him, which means that they should adopt the one that is an amalgam of the Reconnaissance Jack to leave no question that they are death dealing blood crazed warriors who wake up every day just hoping for the chance to dismember our nation’s enemies and defile their civilizations.
Run along Tommy boy, no one cares what you think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq2MFUJdpkI
An awfully passionate response for someone who doesn’t care, Cool Arrow Kicker.
I realize I’m often a voice in the wilderness here. As a peace offering, here are a few options for the emblem that we might compromise on.
http://taskandpurpose.com/5-insignias-that-would-be-better-than-marsocs-new-badge/
It seems like you don’t get the reference. Try immersing yourself in the culture before posting here dude.
I guess I’m in the minority in that I agree with you, while I think the second badge is a really cool design the first one is much more appropriate for an official badge emblem. When you look at all of the other badges worn by various military (spec-ops) units none of them involve skulls or anything like it, it’s all reserved for unofficial patches and t-shirts. So, given that I think that the selected design is right in line with other military badges and at least The Raiders are actually getting a badge, look at Army Special Force or Delta, they don’t get a special badge and the Rangers just get a tan beret and a little patch that says Rangers, how uninspired is that?
None of them have skulls…who cares? None of them are Marines either! None of the other SOF units trace their heritage back to the Raiders of WWII and the Recon community, both of which use the skull…especially the Raiders. Don’t bring Delta into this, totally different category. SF and Rangers just get a little patch? It’s a very obvious patch and they also get a very obvious hat and a very obvious change of insignia on the dress uniforms not to mention the fancy boots they get to wear due to their jump wings.
The SEAL trident is a direct connection to their UDT heritage, all they did was slap the Eagle on the UDT device and call it a day. MARSOC shouldn’t have a badge that has heritage minus the most emblematic part of the Raider insignia.
Yeah, thinking it over, they probably are putting some distance from the recon people, because the second one looks like it belongs or comes from the recon community, specifically bn recon with the recon paddles. mabye thats why no scuba, chute or other in the top badge. Id bury the beef (if there is one) and go with the second badge without the skull, but hey Im not part of that community )
The dagger is too big for the eagles profile. I would of put a dagger in one talon, the shield on his chest and something to rep their community in the other talon
A bit clunky, but what isn’t. At least it’s only one merit badge.
I would surmise the Marine uniform would suggest Maritime capability.
Good for them.
Once you start seeing Raider bros wearing these things on base they’re going to look a lot more badass.
The choice reflects the total wussification of (many) in our military’s leadership. Let’s be honest here, the chosen design is a much ‘softer’ p.c. choice compared to the more aggressive, tougher, and in my opinion, appropriate insignia. And for those crying about the skull, why not just replace it with the Combatant Diver headset?
My sentiments exactly. I think the new one may resemble MFF wings from a distance. Whatever, it’s not my Corps, I didn’t serve in it. I always liked that the Marines are low flare, there was even a time when they had to chek out each other’s butts just to see a nametape.
Looks like my grandmas broche. Silly.
Some idiot pack of pogue fucking officers that more than likely haven’t even gone through ITC picked this.
This badge issue is a bit of a suprise, but the Corps has been going through some major changes and overhauls during the last 10 -15 years, so I guess a new unique to the Corps badge was going to come down sooner or latter. First came the crucible and new boot camp, then the MCMAP now this MARSOC then this new badge. In my time, the only badges you ever saw (and of course were envious of) was the parachute (gold and army silver), old school silver bubble, air crew wings, door gunner wings, EOD and I think thats about it. LSB had red patches, and some of them had jump wings. I think the only others were recon and anglico; you might see a radio operator with them. Things seemed to be in a bit of a rut at the time, but we had good times but most everybod got out after their 4 or 6. then after 9 11 things started to change up I guess. For the Corps to come out with its own special ops and its own badge like this tells me things are really changing, and Id say for the better, but the Corps was and I hope still is, an instituiton. In my time, during boot camp, they did pretty much everything they could to make you quit, and were pretty damn cold about it. From what I seen on new documentary etc, its opposite of that mindset now, but tougher physically than we had it. . Hopefully they can keep that “old Marine Corps Spirit” alive and keep adapting/changing and staying ahead of the Army. Semper Fi.
Oh, and if I can add this;
The top gold badge was probably given much thought, in keeping with USMC traditions. Im guessing there is no EGA in the middle of the sheild because it would be redundant, since every Marine is issued an EGA. I also think the second recon Jack modified badge is badass but the skull would never be allowed on an official uniform On a unit sign it would be appropriate. I think the eagle holding the dagger in one talon, while holding the southern cross shield etc in the other would break up the vertical image. The eagle is a bird of prey and does not carry its prey the way its shown here; thats the first thing that got my attention, that seems off.
As one poster suggested, just take out the skull of the second badge, replace with the combat diver bubble and make it gold.