A squad of U.S. Marines aims their rifles on patrol in a woodland environment.

Weapons, Vehicles, Aircraft, and Gear

Being equipped to win the fight requires more than firepower. Marines are made with a resilient mindset to respond when threats to our nation demand a battle. In the hands of such lethal warfighters, our weapons, vehicles, aircraft, and gear become tools to secure a decisive victory in the fight for our cause.

The Marine Corps is America’s expeditionary force in readiness. We are trained and equipped to respond first when threats to our nation strike without warning. Only carrying what's needed to accomplish each mission ensures that most of our equipment can be loaded and transported aboard Marine Expeditionary Units, self-contained highly mobile forces that deploy from the sea. Each vehicle, aircraft, weapon, and piece of gear is ready to be moved into battle quickly and efficiently so that Marines can win convincingly.

WEAPONS VEHICLES AIRCRAFT GEAR

Our Marines are our most lethal weapon. Every Marine, no matter their assigned role, is first and foremost a rifleman proficient in eliminating an enemy threat with their service rifle, the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). Other Marine Corps weapons include those used in close quarter combat, like a KA-BAR, and crew served systems like the M240B machine gun or grenade launches, like the MK19. The Marine Corps also deploys versatile long-range weapons systems like the HIMARS, equipped with both rockets and missiles. Extreme long-range capabilities include the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), a ground-based launcher that equips Marines to fire anti-ship missiles from land.

The Marines assigned to operate these weapons systems receive highly specialized training before they’re trusted to deploy them in battle. Watch how the Marine Corps ensures that every Marine’s warfighting capabilities are enhanced with extensive weapons training to match their mission.

Video thumbnail of Marine at gun range using weapons.

The Marine Corps is distinct from other branches of the U.S. armed services because we are an expeditionary force. Our nimble structure allows us to answer threats to our country wherever they strike. Because of our unique mission set, our vehicle fleet must be versatile and dynamic enough to get Marines to the fight at a moment’s notice across any environment. The Marine Corps is equipped with infantry fighting vehicles designed to get Marines to the battlefield and provide direct-fire support like the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). Transport vehicles like the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) and the Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) are designed to move large equipment. The Marine Corps also deploys light tactical vehicles with offroad capabilities like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and ultra-light tactical vehicles like the MRZR. Watch to learn about the vehicles that Marines use to maneuver across the full range of battles.

Video thumbnail of Marines riding in vehicle.

The specially trained Marines who operate our aircraft have varied roles but share an identical purpose—supporting Marines fighting on the ground. The Marine Corps airwing is structured for versatility. Whether the mission requires taking Marines and heavy equipment to the fight in a CH-53K King Stallion or a combat strike on an enemy target from an F-35B, the Marines who pilot and maintain our aircraft ensure battles from the air are aggressively fought and decisively won. Watch to learn more about Marine aircraft.

Video thumbnail showing Marines piloting aircraft.

Marines are equipped with more than the weapons they fire, the vehicles they drive, and the aircraft they fly. Equally important is the gear that enhances each Marine's mobility, survivability, and situational awareness on the battlefield and in crisis areas of response. This is the gear that is always within reach, equipping our Marines with the tools necessary to win our Nation’s battles and defend its ideals. Interact with the table below to learn about the gear Marines carry.

All deployed Marines are equipped with Ballistic Hearing Protection (BHP), a two-sided, dual-purpose earplug that protects against steady-state noise and impact noise produced from aircraft, vehicles, machinery, gunfire, and explosions. When the yellow side of the earplug is inserted into the ear, the BHP will block loud impulse noise without suppressing critical ambient sounds such as verbal commands. When turned around, so that the green end is inserted into the ear, it provides steady protection against constant, high-level sound sources. It is protective to 190 decibels (dB), which is greater than the noise of a jet fighter during take-off, with afterburners at a distance of 50 feet (130 dB).

The Marine Corps believes in providing Marines with the most advanced personal body armor. The IMTV delivers not only better protection, but also enhanced maneuverability. The new protective equipment provides increased comfort, a more efficient combat load weight distribution, greater ease of weapons handling, and reduced weight. The standard IMTV offers protection against shrapnel and 9mm pistol rounds. Marines are always issued Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts, commonly called "SAPI Plates," which fit inside the IMTV and provide protection against rifle rounds.

FEATURES:

- Larger neck hole for easier head movement

- Quick release system for rapid discard

- Adjustable protective inserts to reduce arm movement interference

- Shoulder protection designed for greater arm and shoulder mobility

- Easier for Marines to shoulder their rifles

The weapons Marines carry are of no use without the ammunition that makes them effective. An integral component of every Marine’s gear is the lightweight system of equipment pouches that provides for convenient storage and easy access to ammunition or gear.

INCLUDES:

M16/M4 Speed Reload Magazine Pouch – Holds the "first choice" magazine
M16/M4 Single/Double Magazine Pouch – Holds two magazines
9mm 15 Round Magazine Pouch – Holds one 9mm magazine
40mm Grenade Pouch – Holds one 40mm grenade
Pop-up Flare Pouch – Holds one pop-up flare
M67 Grenade Pouch – Holds one M67 grenade
12-Gauge Shotgun Shell Pouch – Holds ten, 3-inch 12-gauge shotgun shells
Multi-grenade Pouch – Will hold one smoke grenade, thermite grenade, star cluster grenade, or two flash-bang grenades
Dump Pouch – Holds empty magazines
Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Utility Pouch – A multi-purpose/bulk carrying pouch that can fit the 200-round SAW drum

Marine placing grenade into their grenade pouch.

M16/M4 Speed Reload Magazine Pouch – Holds the "first choice" magazine
M16/M4 Single/Double Magazine Pouch – Holds two magazines
9mm 15 Round Magazine Pouch – Holds one 9mm magazine
40mm Grenade Pouch – Holds one 40mm grenade
Pop-up Flare Pouch – Holds one pop-up flare
M67 Grenade Pouch – Holds one M67 grenade
12-Gauge Shotgun Shell Pouch – Holds ten, 3-inch 12-gauge shotgun shells
Multi-grenade Pouch – Will hold one smoke grenade, thermite grenade, star cluster grenade, or two flash-bang grenades
Dump Pouch – Holds empty magazines
Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Utility Pouch – A multi-purpose/bulk carrying pouch that can fit the 200-round SAW drum

Warfighting is more than combat engagement alone. Part of being an elite warrior is taking care of those you fight alongside. The IFAK ensures that in the midst of battle, Marines have the equipment to provide point-of-injury care for their fellow warriors.

First aid kit with the most modern tourniquet and other upgrades.

Designed to provide small, lightweight tactical communications to infantry squads and fireteams, the PRC-153 Integrated Intra-Squad Radio acts as a wireless intercom system between Marines. The PRC-153 possesses enough power to provide Marines with effective communications in open terrain, heavily forested areas, and urban environments.

Marines performing a radio check during a simulated CBRN response drill.

Marines today are provided with the most advanced rifle optics available. These laser targeting and illumination systems can be mounted to Marine M4s and M240Bs. They provide two different capabilities: When used with the naked eye, the visible laser can assist with aiming, and the floodlight on the PEQ-16A can assist in identifying targets in low-light situations.

However, using these visible-light capabilities also mean that the enemy can see the source of the light—the Marine. When a Marine pairs the system with a night-vision device such as the AN/PVS-31A monocular, they can switch to using the infrared targeting laser or the infrared illumination.

With the ability to illuminate targets in low light and identify targets with advanced laser aiming technology, the AN/PEQ-15 and AN/PEQ-16A increase the capabilities of every Marine rifleman.

Marine providing security during a military operations in urban terrain exercise.

Before they even become Marines, recruits must prove their aim is true with a rifle from 200, 300, and 500 yards downrange. The RCO, originally known as the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG), was adapted for the M16A4 and the M4 and entered Marine Corps nomenclature as the RCO.

With the AN/PVQ-3 RCO attached, Marines prove even more accurate at even longer distances. The RCO is a fixed 4X optimal aiming scope that provides enhanced target identification and hit probability for the M4 Carbine and M16A4 service rifle out to 800 meters.

Battery-free, dual illumination features enable Marines (in daylight, lowlight, or no light) to keep both eyes open while engaging targets and maintaining maximum situational awareness.