ROLES IN THE CORPS
As one of the Few, there are hundreds of ways to serve, and every Marine trains in an area of expertise
that contributes to the success of our missions. The Marines of our ground, aviation and logistics combat
elements are ready to transition from mission to mission at a moment's notice.
COMMAND ELEMENT ROLES
At the controls of every MAGTF is a Command Element that provides leadership, planning and communications for the entire force. The Command Element is led by a Colonel or a General and supported by a Sergeant Major and a staff of Marines.
Staff Section
The Command Element includes a traditional five-part staff section that coordinates all plans, duties and operations for the MAGTF:
S1 – Personnel and Administration
S2 – Intelligence
S3 – Training and Operations
S4 – Logistics
S6 – Communications
Special Staff
Every MAGTF includes a special staff of Marines in fields that support the entire unit. This generally includes a small Special Operations team, Public Affairs, a Chaplain, Legal Services and any additional staff the Commander requires.
Occupational Fields include:
- Personnel and Administration: Manages all records, procedures and administrative duties for the force.
- Public Affairs: Acts as the official spokesperson for the Command, as well as publishes news articles and builds community relations for the force.
- Intelligence: Collects, interprets and prioritizes critical information. Roles within this field include Human Intelligence, Signals Intelligence and Counterintelligence.
- Legal Services: Provides operational, managerial, legal and administrative support to the force's legal team or staff Judge Advocate.
MAGTF
MAGTF refers to the unique four-part structure that organizes Marine Corps operating forces. This framework brings together Aviation, Ground and Logistics Combat elements under a central Command element. The result is a flexible, combined-arms unit with the capabilities to conduct the Marine Corps' full range of operations, from humanitarian aid and disaster relief to projection of power from the sea.
Many Roles. One Mission.
The Marine Corps is only as capable as each and every Marine. That's why all Marines have a specific role for which they are optimally trained, in support of the overall mission.
MAKEUP OF A MEU
A MEU, or Marine Expeditionary Unit, is the smallest type of MAGTF, often providing the most substantial response in the shortest amount of time. 2,200 Marines that are trained in hundreds of areas of expertise serve on a MEU. Here is the breakdown of a MEU's makeup:
Command Element – Approximately 200 Marines. Responsible for command and control of the entire MEU.
Ground Combat Element – Approximately 1,200 Marines. A Battalion Landing Team that includes three rifle companies, a weapons company, a battery of artillery and platoons of the following: combat engineers, light armored reconnaissance, tanks, Force Reconnaissance and amphibious assault vehicles.
Aviation Combat Element – Approximately 500 Marines. A MEU's ACE is built around a medium tilt-rotor squadron, reinforced by CH-53E heavy lift helicopters, light attack helicopters and Harrier attack jets. The result is a squadron of 25 to 30 aircraft.
Logistics Combat Element – Approximately 300 Marines. Provides supply, transportation, maintenance and additional support for the MEU.
READY AT SEA
MEUs deploy aboard an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG): Three naval ships specifically designed to provide the Marines with a mobile base of operations. See here what serving aboard a MEU entails.
