I'm still trying to get a handle on exactly what the Maritime Raid Force (MRF) is actually suppose to be. Is it an in house Special Ops Unit...Is it a in house enabler for the Battalion Landing Team or is simply an evolution of what the MEU is soon to be.
I personally think that its a feeble attempt for the Marine Corps to maintain a "Special Ops" Capable in house unit.
If that's the case then its bound to fail.
First its duplicating capabilities found in SOCOM.
Second its a waste of limited resources.
Third it relegates the MEU to the worst of worlds. It takes boat spaces from the Infantry and essentially allocates them to SOCOM (lets be honest...Force Recon is a feeder to MARSOC) yet carries them on the Marine Corps books.
A better solution would be to establish a working relationship with SOCOM to have either a MARSOC, SEAL or even Green Beret Team attached to each MEU and have the BLT provide supporting units. That would allow the Marine Corps to establish closer ties to SOCOM, save boat spaces AND allow the Marine Corps BLT to re-achieve its Special Operations Capable designation again...as blocking forces, reinforcement or even logistical support for the attached unit or other units ashore.
What is the cost? Force Recon would go away. We would instead retask Scout Snipers to a Direct Action and Scouting role by simply reorganizing its structure. They're already moving toward a Force Recon look (structurally) all it will take is to simply designate a few school spots to make this a reality.
