"Accounts of courageous actions from every battlefield on which Marines have fought are permanently etched into our Corps’ history—shining emblems of valor, selflessness, perseverance, and ingenuity—embodiments of the heroic fighting spirit and devotion to duty that our Nation has come to expect of its Marines."
—General David H. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Marines are taught to assess each situation quickly so that they are able to make strategic decisions according to each individual scenario. Thinking, acting and moving with a sense of purpose is mandatory in battle.
THE VALUES BEHIND OUR STANDARDS
In
the incertitude of battle, character matters. Every Marine fights with our Nation's expectation to represent it well at home and abroad. The values instilled not only direct every action, but unite every Marine, holding all Marines to the same high standard.
Military Units
The U.S. Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy; however its command structure is similar to the Army’s, except it follows the “rule of three” and includes Marine expeditionary forces and aircraft wings. The Marines are divided into four groups: the operating forces that do the actual fighting, the headquarters for leadership, the supporting establishment that provides logistical support, and the Marine Corps Reserve.
Command Structure
Basic Units Expeditionary Forces Aircraft Units
While the Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy, its command structure is similar to the Army’s, with teams, squadrons, platoons and battalions, except it follows the “rule of three,” meaning there are usually three of each lower unit within the next larger unit.
The Marine Corps’ principal warfighting organization during large crises is the Marine expeditionary force. The Corps has three MEFs, and each is made up of ground, air and logistics forces. They act as standing Marine air-ground task forces in peacetime and war. MEFs are capable of projecting power on land or at sea and are able to support themselves in combat for up to 60 days.
Another exception to the basic unit structure is Marine aviation, which is broken down into commands made of squadrons, groups and wings. The squadron is the basic tactical and administrative unit. One or more squadrons form a group, and one or more groups form a wing.
FIRE TEAM
Commanded By:
Corporal
Includes three Marines and a team leader, usually a corporal.
SQUAD
Commanded By:
Sergeant
Also referredto as aSECTION
9 Marines
Three teams are assigned here.
PLATOON
Commanded By:
Lieutenant
Consists of three squads. Commanded by a lieutenant.
COMPANY
Commanded By:
Captain
Includes three or more platoons. Commanded by a captain. Companies are the lowest command level to have a headquarters element.
BATTALION
Commanded By:
Lieutenant Colonel
Three or more companies. Commanded by a lieutenant colonel.
REGIMENT
Commanded By:
Colonel
3battalions
2,187 Marines
Three battalions form a regiment or brigade.
MARINE DIVISION
Commanded By:
Major General
Three regiments or brigades make up a division.
MARINE CORPS
Commanded By:
Commandant
4marine divisions
26,244 Marines
Three or more divisions make up the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps' leader, the commandant, reports directly to the secretary of the Navy.
Basic Units
Select A Unit From the Menu to Learn More:
FIRE TEAM
Commanded By:
Corporal
3 Marines
Includes three Marines and a team leader, usually a corporal.
SQUAD
Commanded By:
Sergeant
Three teams are assigned here.
PLATOON
Commanded By:
Lieutenant
Consists of three squads. Commanded by a lieutenant.
COMPANY
Commanded By:
Captain
Includes three or more platoons. Commanded by a captain. Companies are the lowest command level to have a headquarters element.
BATTALION
Commanded By:
Lieutenant Colonel
Three or more companies. Commanded by a lieutenant colonel.
Regiment
Commanded By:
Colonel
3battalions
2,187 Marines
Three battalions form a regiment or brigade.
MARINE DIVISION
Commanded By:
Major General
Three regiments or brigades make up a division.
MARINE CORPS
Commanded By:
Commandant
4marine divisions
Three or more Divisions make up the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps' leader, the commandant, reports directly to the secretary of the Navy.
Expeditionary Forces
I MEF is based primarily at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and provides forces for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command, as directed. It’s made up of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Logistics Group and I MEF Information Group. I MEF participated in Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I Marine Expeditionary Force
II MEF is based primarily in North Carolina. It’s made of up the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and the II MEF Information Group, which focuses on planning and execution of operations. II MEF is primarily focused on operations in the North Atlantic, including in Europe and Africa.
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Based in Okinawa, Japan, III MEF covers the Pacific and is the only MEF that’s forward deployed. It’s made up of the 3rd Marine Division, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 3rd Marine Logistics Group and the III MEF Information Group.
III Marine Expeditionary Force
I Marine Expeditionary Force
I MEF is based primarily at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and provides forces for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command, as directed. It’s made up of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Logistics Group and I MEF Information Group. I MEF participated in Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
II Marine Expeditionary Force
II MEF is based primarily in North Carolina. It’s made of up the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and the II MEF Information Group, which focuses on planning and execution of operations. II MEF is primarily focused on operations in the North Atlantic, including in Europe and Africa.
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Based in Okinawa, Japan, III MEF covers the Pacific and is the only MEF that’s forward deployed. It’s made up of the 3rd Marine Division, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 3rd Marine Logistics Group and the III MEF Information Group.
- Force I
- Force II
- Force III
squadrons
Equivalent to a battalion
Marine aviation squadrons are about the size equivalent of a battalion and are organized by aircraft type – fixed-wing aircraft, tiltrotor aircraft and helicopters - although there are nonflying squadrons, too, such as those for logistics. Squadrons are expected to execute a list of specified mission-essential tasks. For example, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as the first forward-deployed permanent F-35B Lightning II squadron.
groups
Three or more squadrons form a group, which is equivalent in size to a regiment. There are several kinds of groups: aircraft, air control, training support and wing support. Aircraft groups are made up of the aircraft themselves and the people who support them to fly; air control groups coordinate all aspects of air command and air defense. Support groups provide administrative duties, ceremonial support and special-detail advisors.
wings
There are currently four active Marine aircraft wings. The 1st MAW is part of III MEF and has been a key player in providing humanitarian aid to disaster areas in the Indo-Pacific. The 2nd MAW has deployed in support of noncombat operations in Iraq in the 1990s, as well as combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout this century. The 3rd MAW is deployed in support of operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The 4th MAW is a subordinate command of the Marine Corps Reserve.
Aircraft Wings
Squadrons Groups Wings
squadrons
Equivalent to a battalion
Marine aviation squadrons are about the size equivalent of a battalion and are organized by aircraft type – fixed-wing aircraft, tiltrotor aircraft and helicopters - although there are nonflying squadrons, too, such as those for logistics. Squadrons are expected to execute a list of specified mission-essential tasks. For example, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as the first forward-deployed permanent F-35B Lightning II squadron.
groups
Three or more squadrons form a group, which is equivalent in size to a regiment. There are several kinds of groups: aircraft, air control, training support and wing support. Aircraft groups are made up of the aircraft themselves and the people who support them to fly; air control groups coordinate all aspects of air command and air defense. Support groups provide administrative duties, ceremonial support and special-detail advisors.
wings
There are currently four active Marine aircraft wings. The 1st MAW is part of III MEF and has been a key player in providing humanitarian aid to disaster areas in the Indo-Pacific. The 2nd MAW has deployed in support of noncombat operations in Iraq in the 1990s, as well as combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout this century. The 3rd MAW is deployed in support of operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The 4th MAW is a subordinate command of the Marine Corps Reserve.
Other Military Services
There are a few distinct exceptions in the structure of each military service.
Select a service to learn more.