FORCE RECON，一般翻譯作強偵連，其實就是美國海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵察部隊。因為該特種部隊肩負著作先行偵查等相關特戰任務，因此該部所執行的任務十分多樣化（城鎮/CQB/2/登艦/綠色地帶）。該部隊也是精英中的精英，只不過由於大多數人由於影視作品的關係而只注重RANGER、DELTA、以及LAPD而忽略了這一支隸屬於美國海軍陸戰隊的特戰部隊。印象中有FR出場的影片相當少，尼古拉斯凱奇主演的《勇闖奪命島》算是其中比較有名的一部。（註：原片中反派應為FR前身det1，突擊隊為seal。）
說起這個美國海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵察部隊，還和NAVY SEAL還有著一定的淵源。這個NAVY SEAL就是我們常說海豹特種部隊。美國海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵察部隊源自二次大戰的海軍陸戰隊，在作兩棲登入戰前，需要一支部隊作任務偵察及收集情報。1942年海軍陸戰隊為了在北非登入而成立兩棲任務偵察編組，但後來並未成行。直至1943年兩棲任務偵察編組又改組為兩棲任務偵察連，並派往太平洋戰區，由潛艇進行對各島礁的偵察及敵情收集活動。翌年增加隊員人數至偵察，並參加硫磺島、琉球島等重要的登入戰。在韓戰期間，海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵察部隊與海軍水下爆破隊共同執行登入前的偵察和爆破任務，並數次深入敵軍陣地，執行橋樑與各種軍事目標的破壞。韓戰結束後，部隊加強部隊之任務要求及配合當時新直升機戰術，隊員開始接受空降先遣導航訓練與內陸長距離偵察訓練。60年代海軍為了新作戰需求，成立了著名的海豹突擊隊，在理論上接替海軍兩棲偵察部隊，但是至今仍不認為海豹突擊隊能完全正式取替正統的兩棲偵察部隊。在越戰期間兩棲偵察部隊，經常配合陸軍部隊綠扁帽特種部隊、中央情報局與海豹突擊隊，進行滲透北越、寮國和高棉執行一些政府不承認的特別任務。1991年波斯灣戰爭時，美國海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵察部隊在科威特海岸做了數次敵軍兵力偵察和評估。讓伊拉克軍誤以為美軍會大舉在海岸進行兩棲登入。現時FORCE RECON的主要任務為：執行兩棲登入及遠程偵察、監視、機密器材回收、拯救人質、配合海軍陸戰隊遠征軍（MEU）執行非正規作戰任務，以及配合其他特種作戰單位執行任務。
目前USMC FORCE RECON並不屬於USSOCOM的編制下，非作戰時期不會受到USSOCOM指揮。在作戰時期或執行作戰任務時，兩棲偵察部隊亦會接受USSOCOM指揮。
FORCE RECON在編制上分為：
兩棲偵察一連：駐加州Pendleton海軍陸戰隊基地，負責印度洋與中東地區。
兩棲偵察二連：駐北卡羅萊納州Lejeune海軍陸戰隊基地，負責大西洋及地中海地區。
兩棲偵察五連：駐琉球海軍陸戰隊基地，負責太平洋地區。
每個兩棲偵察連，在隊員編制上都有不同，部隊因應駐守地域大小編成。整體上，連長由陸戰隊中校擔任，每個連由六個排組成，排長由上尉擔任。 每排下轄管理四至五個偵察班，每個班由5名隊員組成，由一名士官領導。 另有本部連，工作範圍包括，惰報處理、部隊通信及後勤支援。
FORCE RECON資格的取得
加入FORCERECON，是一個漫長的過程．任何陸戰隊員，不論任何軍階均可申請。申請人，首先需要有一個服役證明（一般為3-5年）。FORCERECON需要一流的陸戰隊員，必須通過體能測試、游泳、射擊測試， 他需要獲得105分。訓練第一階段將要求參訓者全副武裝靠一份地圖，日夜巡邏。在每月最後一個星期四、可以申請參加考試。體能測試標準（心肺功能），滿分300，士兵要求達到275分，軍官要求達到285分。即使通過了考試，但是體能訓練將伴隨整個訓練階段，因為健身是一項永不休止的事。因為是海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵察隊的性質，所以接下來是殘酷的水中訓練。隊員將接受長達10英里的全裝備野外游泳訓練，身上的裝備重量高達50磅。如果他成功地完成這項測試身體，他接受心理檢查接受軍官的問訊。完成以上考核後淘汰率接近50%。如果隊員通過自身努力通過了考核，並成功融入一個排說明他已經作好加入FORCE RECON的身心準備，並做出了承諾。這時，隊員原部隊的指揮官必須同意釋放他--這並不容易。很多原上級軍官許相信FORCE RECON就抽掉了他們隊里的一個精英。隊員將在FORCE RECON里服役5年，可能延期2年，最後將回歸原部隊或其他單位，這時他們將 帶了大量的專業知識和自信回歸。
訓練部署計畫
訓練部署計畫分五個階段，每個排每兩年進行一次，不斷循環。
第一階段：Individual Training Phase
第二階段：Unit Training
第三階段：MEU（SOC） Training Phase
第四階段：MEU（SOC）Deployment
第五階段：Post Deployment Phase
第一階段將持續大約6個月，每個排將回到連隊基地。主要是的基本技能訓練和偵察技能訓練（MOS qualified Marine 8654）。
這些不過是完整個訓練的準備開和始。以下是第一階段訓練 項目：
Basic Reconnaissance Course - All members 偵察基本技能訓練 全體 十二周時間
Basic Airborne School - All members 基本機降技能訓練 全體 三周時間
USMC Combatant Dive School - All members USMC 潛水技能訓練 全體 八周時間
SERE School - All members 野外生存技能訓練 全體
Military Free Fall School - All members 傘降技能訓練 全體
Ranger School - All team leaders and above Ranger 技能訓練 每隊隊長和隊長以上軍官
Static Line Jumpmaster Course - 2 per platoon 高跳高開傘兵課程 每排2個人
Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course - 2 per platoon 高級自由落體傘降課程 每排2個人
HRST Master Course - 2 per platoonhrst 高級HRST訓練 每排2個人
Dive Supervisor Course - 2 per platoon 高級潛水技能訓練 每排2個人
LAR V Technician Course - 2 per platoon 兩棲作戰技能訓練 每排2個人
Ammunition Drivers Course - 2 per platoon 武力偵搜車駕駛技能 每排2個人
USMC Scout/ Sniper Course - 1 per team 狙擊技能訓練 每隊1個人
Mountain Leaders Course （Summer） - 1 per team 山地領導技能（夏） 每隊1個人
Mountain Leaders Course （Winter） - 1 per team 山地領導技能（冬） 每隊1個人
Laser Operators Course - 1 per team 雷射制導技能訓練 每隊1個人
基本上第一階段訓練時間最長、最艱苦。有的隊員甚至接受了將近72周的訓練。
第二階段是部隊訓練期階段，為期六個月的時間。以排為基本單位,完成所有課程的基本訓練。這一階段的主要目的是為了讓排長領導隊員獲得團隊合作技巧並展開兩棲偵察。
以下是第二階段課程：
先進的遠程通訊
由於需要進行深入偵察顯示，因此每個排必須熟練掌握各種精密的通訊設備操作技能，包括人工莫爾斯代碼、遠程高頻(高頻)、衛星、多波段、數字通信等。
各種武器射擊與戰術方案執行訓練
在 Camp Pendelton，CA訓練營，訓練時間是三周。涵蓋了MEU （SOC）和0.45口徑的手狗與以及SOPMOD M4A1卡賓。第1至2周，每個Marine的將射擊5000- 8000發，用來熟悉各種武器。第三周都花在了有l直升機配合的fam訓練，包括AH-1J 近距離空中支援、陸戰隊CH-27、國民衛隊UH-60's和海軍seahawks。每個排也接到排與排配合訓練，和熟練使用短武器訓練（SESAMS），包括CQBW and MEU（SOC）pistol。
熟悉其他國家環境及武器訓練
在美國陸軍國家訓練中心為期一周。能夠利用對手的武器，可能意味著生存和死亡的區別。訓練主要涉及其他國家的輕武器的威脅。目前這一方案主要由The Foreign Material Acquisition and Exploitation Unit （FMAEU）負責，主要是識別和熟悉蘇聯及非蘇聯華沙條約（nswp）設備。
火力支援訓練
在聖克萊門特、棕櫚島等基地進行兩周訓練包。包括複習海軍陸戰隊的基本知識呼叫支援火力，特別使誹定翼和直升機CAS （Close Air Support）。NGSF （Naval Gun Surface Fire近距離空中支援艦炮水面）雷射制導設備使用（Laser designating equipment control CAS）。
高跳高開訓練
為期3周，利用MC-5 Ram Air Parachute進行 Low Level Static Line parachute techniques to High Altitude High Opening（HAHO）訓練，包括使用夜視器材利用降落傘從24999英尺跳傘。
兩棲登入訓練
為期2周，在 Seal Beach and San Diego訓練，包括遠程航海導航、水文測量、發射和回收，是從各種艦艇，包括水面艦艇和潛艇，出發和回歸訓練。
戰鬥潛水訓練
為期2周，重點利用 HMMWV's and IFAV's （Improved Fast Assault Vehicle）進行閉式呼吸潛水。
機動偵察訓練
包括駕駛、使用IFAV（完善快速攻擊車）在沙漠環境中進行必要的情報蒐集工作。訓練地點經常變換，一般在 Yuma or 29 Palms。
戰場急救訓練
在模擬作戰環境下尋找傷員並根據傷情進行二次救治和轉移 。
通過第2階段培訓，每個排隊員能完成各種偵察任務。更重要的是，他們經過6個月的密集訓練相互團結在一起，取得了彼此的信任 。
第三階段是MEU（SOC）訓練。
每個排將在the Special Operations Training Group（SOTG）訓練下進行MSPF訓練。The Maritime Special Purpose Force（MSPF）是有海空配合小隊進行作戰的訓練，主要訓練force recon與其他部隊的協同作戰能力包括陸戰隊的戰機、海軍的軍艦甚至SEAL也會加入協同訓練。課程涵蓋CQB、爆炸物使用與處理、城市狙擊等。訓練在真實城市環境下城市作戰能力或socex（特種作戰演習驗證）。
（CQB的英文全稱是CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE,翻譯過來是室內近距離戰鬥,這個對於各個特種部隊以及FORCE RECON都是必修的科目）
第四階段是部署階段。
長達6個月的部署在波斯灣或西太平洋海軍陸戰隊，或者在地中海東岸的海軍陸戰隊。並在MEU中堅持每天的基本訓練。
第五階段是 休假整頓。
經過18個月的訓練和部署，隊員將獲得30天的休假. 大約50%的隊員會離開，這時部隊是不滿編的。
以下為部分英文介紹：
Part I : History, Mission and Organization
The United States Marine Corps is a relatively small and parochial organization. Numbering only 172,000, it is the smallest of the Nation's armed forces. It also epitomizes the warrior ethic, much to the consternation of the socialists present in our society today.
The Marine Corps is, and has been throughout its existence, an expeditionary force. Consequently it is task organized to land its forward deployed units worldwide. Because we are a naval force, the primary method of force projection is amphibious, and the forcible entry option into a non-permissive environment is powerful and decisive.
Within the Marine Corps exists a small group of highly trained and superbly competent Marines; those assigned to the Force Reconnaissance community. Relatively unknown outside of the Department of Defense (DOD), they neither seek nor suffer the publicity of others in this business.
I'll attempt to provide a small look into the world of Force Reconnaissance. The amount of information will require three separate articles. This first installment will be a brief overview of the history and organization of Force Reconnaissance and how it fits into the Marine Corps mission. The second will be concerned with selection and training, and finally the third will cover weapons and equipment used by these silent warriors. There is a fair amount of jargon and acronyms involved, which I have hopefully softened and explained without gentrifying the story.
History
Currently, the only stand alone Force Reconnaissance Company in the Marine Corps is 1st Force. The 2nd Recon Bn. (East Coast) and 3rd Recon Bn. (Okinawa) have a Force capability imbedded in their respective Reconnaissance Battalions. This may change (again) in the near future, but as of this time only 1st Force is capable of independent operations. Because of the different command relations that exist, this article is concerned primarily with 1st Force.
The Marine Forces Reserve have 3rd Force Recon in Mobile, AL, and 4th Force Recon in Honolulu, with a detachment in Reno, NV.
It's necessary to clarify the difference between Force and Division Reconnaissance.
The Reconnaissance Battalion supports the Division, and it provides tactical reconnaissance in the Distant Battle.
Force Reconnaissance supports the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), a Corps equivalent, and conducts Operational Level reconnaissance in the Deep Battle.
Force Reconnaissance had it genesis in Camp Pendelton in 1954 when a test unit was formed to evaluate methods of insertion for reconnaissance teams. These two platoons, (a Parachute Reconnaissance Platoon and a Pathfinder Platoon) were eventually combined with an existing Amphibious Reconnaissance Company to form 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in 1957.
In 1958, one half of the Company was transferred to the east coast to form the fledgling 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company. 1st Force was then a part of Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force Pacific (FMFPac) and supported both the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions. 2nd Force was assigned to Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic (FMFLant), and supported the 2nd Marine Division.
The early years were spent developing the doctrine and skills that bore fruit in the crucible of South East Asia.1 1st Force and 3rd Force2 went into the former Republic of Viet Nam in 1965, supporting 3rd Marine Amphibious Force in I Corps. During its five years in country, 1st Force ran over 2,200 reconnaissance patrols.
Forty-four Marines and Sailors of 1st Force were killed or remain Missing in Action during that conflict.
The Company was deactivated in 1974, as part of the post war draw down. The 1st Platoon was transferred to 1st Reconnaissance Bn. at that time, in order to retain a deep reconnaissance capability for 1st Marine Division.
The mixing of Force with Division Recon has never been entirely satisfactory, and the Company again stood up in 1986. 1st Force operated in Southwest Asia during desert Shield/ Storm, and has since deployed to multiple hot spots including East Timor last year.
Mission
The Company has two Mission Profiles- Deep Reconnaissance and Direct Action.
On the conventional, or "Green" side, the mission is to conduct Amphibious Reconnaissance, Deep Ground Reconnaissance, Battlespace Shaping, and surveillance to observe, identify and report enemy activity.
They conduct specialized terrain reconnaissance that includes hydrography, beaches, roads, bridges, routes, urban areas, helicopter landing zones (HLZ), airborne drop zones (DZ) and aircraft forward operating sites.
When task organized with other forces, equipment or personnel, they can assist in special engineer, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC), Radio, mobile or other reconnaissance operations.
Additionally, they can implant or recover sensors and beacons, conduct Initial Terminal Guidance for helicopters, landing craft and parachutists. As directed, they can designate and engage selected targets with Force fires, including terminal guidance of Precision Guided Munitions (PGM).
They can conduct post strike reconnaissance to determine and report damage to a specific target or area, or perform other operations as directed by higher command.
An example of this type of mission is the Personal Security Detail (PSD). Members of the Company are regularly tasked with providing protection to high-ranking military or civilian members in hostile areas. Generally a very high profile detail, the Marines of Force have the proper attitude and mindset to keep themselves and a principal alive in the bad neighborhoods of the third world.
On the Direct Action, or "Black" side, Force conducts Gas/ Oil Platforms (GOPLATS), Vessel /Board/Search /Seizure (VBSS), capture/ recovery of selected enemy personnel and equipment, and Tactical Recovery of Aircraft/ Personal (TRAP).
Note that the Company is capable of conducting Direct Action missions inside the Deep Battle area when task organized with other elements-specifically a Reconnaissance and Surveillance (R&S) element, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, Radio or Electronic warfare specialists and such.
The Company is equally capable of conducting reconnaissance or direct action missions on very short notice.
One task recently removed from Force was In- Extremis Hostage Rescue. (IHR). While USSOCOM Tier 1 assets (Combat Applications Group {CAG} and DevGrp) have primary cognizance of hostage recovery, it was recognized early on that when the bad guys were executing hostages right now, a capable forward-deployed unit could be useful.
Recently it was felt by some that the IHR mission requires too much training time to be proficient, and that time spent in training for DA missions would degrade the Deep Reconnaissance capability. To that end the Marine Corps no longer advertises the IHR mission. However, Maritime Interdiction Operations, GOPLAT, prisoner recovery etc. all require a high degree of proficiency in surgical shooting and CQB skills. The Marine Corps has wisely not lowered the shooting standards and while IHR may not now exist as a mission, the capability is still resident in the Company.
To accomplish the mission profiles, Force utilizes special insert/ extraction techniques. These include:
Motorized - Improved Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV)
Amphibious - Submarine, Surface Combatant, Sub- Surface (Closed Circuit Mk-25 Drager) or SCUBA (Open Circuit), Over the Horizon (OTH) via the CCRC (Zodiac), Soft Duck/ Hard Duck
Air - Helo; fast rope, rappel, Special Patrol Insertion/ Extraction Rig (SPIE Rig); Parachute, including Low Level Static Line (LLSL), High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) up to 25,000', and High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) up to 35,000'.
Organization
To understand how Force Reconnaissance functions, we need to understand how it fits into current Marine Corps doctrine.
The Marine Corps is broken down into three Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF), each consisting of a Marine Division, a Marine Air Wing, and a Force Service Support Group.
Various non-operational units exist to support the MEF and subordinate units. As with the subordinate MEU, a single commander is responsible for ground, aviation and support elements.
Forward deployed are the Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) {MEU (SOC)}. The MEU (SOC) is the smallest of the Corps Air/ Ground Task Forces, consisting of approximately 2100 Marines and sailors.
The reason why it is "Special Operations Capable" and not "Special Operations" is that neither the Marine Corps nor any of its units belong to U.S. Special Operations Command. While Joint (or Purple) Operations are the rage in the halls of the Pentagon, the Marine Corps has always believed (and with great justification) that other services will deny the Marine Corps the use of its own specially trained assets during a crisis.
This has occurred on several occasions during the Viet Nam War, and more recently in the Gulf Conflict.
As a prime example, Marine Corps aviation exists solely to support the guys who actually do the fighting (the Grunts). Joint Air "managers" have long sought to remove these very valuable assets in order to make more "efficient" use of tactical air. The end result is that when a Marine infantryman needs that specially trained Marine pilot to deliver ordnance at danger close, he might be making toothpicks many miles away. The alternative is no air, or pilots who have not been properly trained in Close Air Support (CAS). The feeling is that if Force was assigned to USSOCOM, they might also remove the Force Reconnaissance assets from supporting a MEF or MEU.
The MEU (SOC) is comprised of a Ground Combat Element (GCE), an Aviation Combat Element (ACE), a MEU Combat Service Support Group, and a Command Element (CE).
The GCE is the Battalion Landing Team (BLT), an infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV's), Light Armored Reconnaissance assets, Tanks, Engineers and a Division Reconnaissance platoon.
The Aviation Combat Element (ACE) is a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) augmented into a composite squadron. It will usually consist of 12 CH-46's, 4 CH-53's, 3 UH-1N's, and 4 AH-1W Cobras. It may also have 6 AV-8B Harrier fixed wing aircraft attached.
The ACE also has an Air Control detachment, 6 Avenger Air Defense HMMV, and a Light Air Defense (LAD) Detachment assigned.
The MEU Service Support Group (MSSG) contains all of the specialists and equipment necessary to keep the GCE and the ACE functioning. This includes motor transport, mechanical, engineering, medical, dental, postal and other technical experts.
The Command Element provides the Command and Control for the three components of the MEU. In addition to the MEU Commander and his staff, a Radio Recon Bn. Detachment, an Intelligence Detachment, and a Force Recon platoon are included.
The MEU (SOC) is forward deployed on a three ship Amphibious Ready Group. (Usually an LHD or LHA, and an LPD and LSD). Generally speaking, and depending on sequencing, two or sometimes three MEU (SOC)'s are forward deployed around the world at any given time.
The MEU (SOC) is self sustaining and capable of executing an amphibious operation at night or under adverse weather conditions, by surface (in LCAC's and AAV's) or by air (in the embarked helicopter squadron) within six hours of receiving the execute order.
It can also launch amphibious raids, conduct NEO's, (Non Combat Evacuation Operation) reinforcement operations, security operations, or humanitarian operations. It can seize airfields or ports, and conduct Counter Intelligence and Signal Intelligence operations.
Though 1st Force is a Company, it is administered along the lines of a battalion.
There are approximately 200 Marines and Sailors in the Company. Leading the Company is the Company Headquarters consisting of the Commanding Officer (CO), a LtCol, the Executive Officer (XO), a Major, and a Sergeant Major.
Supporting the operational platoons is the S1 (Administrative) Shop; the S2 (Intelligence) Section; the S3 (Operations); and the S4 (Logistics and Supply); and the S6 (Communications) Shop.
Under the cognizance of the S3 is the indispensable Training Cell and the Paraloft. The S4 Shop has control of the Dive and Amphibious Lockers, the Motor Transport Section, and the Armory.
The Company has medical and dive personnel assigned from the Navy. While Corpsmen have always been held in high regard by Marines (and for obvious reasons), those Corpsmen assigned to Force Recon are definitely a breed apart. These Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman go through all of the training that the Marines in Force go through, plus their own advanced Combat Trauma Training. When assigned to the platoons, they are shooters first and foremost, and indistinguishable from their green brothers.
Though the Table of Organization is for six operational platoons, only five are actually funded.
The Operational platoons are staffed with a platoon headquarters consisting of a Platoon Commander (usually a Captain), a platoon sergeant (usually a Staff Sergeant or Gunnery Sergeant), Platoon Radio Operator (normally a Staff Sergeant or Gunnery Sergeant), a Navy Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman, and a platoon Equipment NCO (Rigger/ Armorer).
There are three, six man teams in the platoon. Each Team consists of a Team Leader (SSgt), an Assistant Team Leader (SSgt/ Sgt), a Radio Operator, and three Reconnaissance Scouts.
The six-man team concept reflects real world experience. The Company formerly fielded 4 man teams but there were a number of issues that impacted negatively on the Marines. Consider that they must jump, dive, or walk in with all the gear necessary to complete the mission. The new surveillance and communications gear is lighter, stronger and more efficient than what it replaces, but there is more of it. Less then six cannot carry the equipment necessary for Deep Reconnaissance missions. Equally important is what the team does with a friendly casualty. Unless a 4-man team was willing to cache all of its equipment, they would not be able to carry a casualty out.
In Deep Reconnaissance, survival is based on stealth, and stealth is a by-product of alertness. A 4-man team does not have the numbers to provide an adequate rest cycle while maintaining proper security.
Though a Deep Reconnaissance mission requires that the team not be compromised, the reality of life is that they may. When that happens, the rules change. Because they are in the deep battle area, they cannot count on artillery support, and CAS and the extract birds may be a long time coming. They must be able to shoot, move and communicate, but unlike a Grunt, they are operating in a friendly vacuum. The 4 man team simply does not have enough guns to work as two elements.
The 6 man team also provides the numbers necessary to perform a Direct Action mission. Remember that these missions will take place in a non-permissive (or at best, a semi-permissive) environment. The smaller teams are just an invitation for failed missions and higher casualties.
On the other side of the coin, increasing the team drastically increases the chance of detection. More than 6 and the patrol becomes too unwieldy for clandestine operations.
6 man teams are a compromise, and it is the best available solution.
For Direct Action missions, the platoon is configured into a single unit, and task organized with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, a Reconnaissance and Surveillance (R&S) section (drawn from the BLT Scout/ Sniper Platoon), and a Security Element (also drawn from the BLT) as well as other mission related personnel.
You may note that the rank structure is significantly more senior then in conventional forces. This accurately reflects the length of time one spends in training before he can get into a platoon, and is commensurate with the maturity and responsibility of these Marines. Considering the amount of sophisticated surveillance and communication gear available to the platoon, the training required to operate and maintain it, and what it is they actually do, any issues about rank become amazingly inconsequential.
The Force Reconnaissance Company is the personal eyes and ears of the MEF Commander - a three star Corps level equivalent. They provide him with real time information in the Deep Battle area not available by other means.
The Marines of Force Recon do not consider thewmselves to be "elite" or "special". Their attitude is that thaey have been fortunate to be selected to a unit that provides unique challenges and opportunities, and makes full use of their talents. They are tough, rugged men, whose job is to support the guy who does the real fighting - the Marine Infantryman.
