United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions
| Marine Division Reconnaissance | |
|---|---|
Division Recon badge | |
| Active | 1958 – present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Reconnaissance unit |
| Role | Direct support of the Ground Combat Element for
|
| Size | Four battalions: three active duty and one reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Pendleton, California Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Camp Schwab, Okinawa |
| Motto(s) | "Swift, Silent, Deadly" |
| Colors | Black & gold |
| Engagements | Vietnam War Gulf War Kosovo War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | Recon Jack |
A United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalion (or commonly called Marine Division Recon) is a reconnaissance unit within the Ground Combat Element (GCE) of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that conducts amphibious reconnaissance, underwater reconnaissance, advanced force operations, battlespace shaping, ground reconnaissance, surveillance, raids and direct action in support of the Marine division (MARDIV), subordinate division elements, or a designated MAGTF.
Although reconnaissance companies are conventional forces they do share many of the same tactics, techniques, procedures and equipment of special operations forces.