Top Marine commando: Corps good at small wars

[unhappycamper]

Top Marine commando: Corps good at small wars
By Kevin Maurer - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 24, 2008 17:17:09 EDT

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marines may have the newest special operations branch in the U.S. military, but a long history of fighting small wars and insurgencies makes them a natural fit for the world of commandos, the unit’s commander told the Associated Press on Thursday.

“We as Marines grow up doing small wars. We are very comfortable in the third world. In poorly governed or ungoverned parts of the globe,” said Maj. Gen. Mastin M. Robeson, commanding general of Marines Corps Special Operations Command.

MarSOC, numbering 2,100 Marines, was established in February 2006 as the service’s counterpart to the Navy SEALS, Air Force Air Comandos and Army Green Berets that provides a “a sea-based special operations force” to commanders. MarSOC also increased the number of special operators at a time when the units are in demand.

Since then, MarSOC Marines have continuously deployed to Afghanistan, Latin America and Africa. Robeson said the Marines have performed well. MarSOC Marines been awarded one Bronze Star for valor at least 34 Purple Hearts and more than 137 combat action ribbons.

But being new to special operations, the unit is still earning its stripes.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_marsoc_102408/%2e