Infantry battalions are the heart and soul of the ground combat element. The mission of locating, closing with, and destroying the enemy with fire and maneuver and repelling the enemy's assault with fire and close combat lies with the "grunts". Marine infantry battalions often have limited organic equipment outside of small arms (maneuvering by foot as light infantry, and must be supplemented with additional trucks to become motorized infantry or Amphibious Assault Vehicles to become mechanized infantry.
The mission of a tank battalion is to conduct operations ashore utilizing maneuver, armor protected firepower and shock action in order to close with and destroy the enemy, as well as provide expertise in anti-tank operations. Currently, tank battalions utilize the M1A1 Abramsmain battle tank and the M88A2Recovery Vehicle.
The mission of an armor unit is to conduct and support amphibious operations and other operations as required by landing and transporting to inland objectives the surface assault elements and their equipment, and by conducting light armored reconnaissance and limited offensive and defensive operations. When task-organized with infantry, tanks, and other forces, the battalion conducts combined arms operations as a separate maneuver element in support of the Marine Division.
Currently, Assault Amphibian battalions utilize the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAVP-7A1), though plans are to replace it with the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. Light Armored Reconnaissance battalions use the LAV 25 series of vehicles. The Combat Assault Battalion is unique in that it combines both vehicles into a single battalion.
The mission of combat engineers is to provide mobility, counter mobility, survivability, and limited general engineering support.
Mobility includes the assessment and fortification of roadways and bridges, the clearing of enemy obstacles and landmines, and assault breaching. Counter mobility includes creating obstacles and barriers for the enemy, which could include the destruction of structures and/or bridges. Survivability includes the fortification of positions and the construction of new outposts. Other jobs can include Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), construction, and utilities (such as generators and refrigeration).
Currently, combat engineers use a variety of tools for their trade. Some vehicles include the M9 Armored Combat Earthmover, D7 Bulldozer, M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge, and various cranes and forklifts.
Headquarters battalions serve as the command and control nexus for a Marine division. They contain the administration, intelligence, operations, planning, logistics, communication, and public affairs control of the division.
Combat logistics battalions provide logistics capabilities for the GCE and ACE beyone their own organic capabilities. Each battalion is self sufficient across the whole spectrum of logistics, including maintenance, supply, etc. Whether deployed or in garrison, the Marines on the front lines trust the combat logistics battalions to keep them and their equipment moving.
Maintenance battalions provide upper level support for the repair of equipment. The only higher echelon of repair exists at Marine Corps Logistics Depots.
Engineer support battalions provide engineer support past the level available from organic engineers. ESBs also provide the storage and distribution of water and fuels.
Engineer support battalions
Supply battalions provide supply support past that of organic unit supply. They provide all assets that a Marine unit might need, excepting fuels, water, and aviation repair parts provided from the Navy. Rations, repair parts, ammunition, personal equipment, and even entire end items are all provided by or through the supply battalions.
Medical battalions provide medical care beyond the immediate care of unit corpsmen. Often, these units act as field hospitals when on deployment. In garrison, they supplement naval hospitals at various Marine installations.
Dental battalions are responsible for the oral health of Marines and Sailors within the MAGTF. On deployment, they can also be used to support field hospitals and act as nurses when not performing dental roles. In garrison, they run dental health clinics and various Marine installations.
Intelligence battalions, attached to MEF headquarters groups, are to plan and direct, collect, process, produce and disseminate intelligence, and provide counterintelligence support.
Communications battalions provide communication support for the MAGTF as part of the MEF headquarters groups. They also perform networking and data services when deployed.
Only the MCRD Parris Island logos are listed below. The logos for MCRD San Diego differ slightly; additionally, San Diego does not have a Fourth Recruit Training Battalion (as it is the only female recruit training battalion in the Marine Corps).
Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
