Are US Marine Force Recon a waterdown version of Navy Seals?

Question

I heard from my brother mentioned that a trained Recon have an option to join BUD program, which I presume to be a school for the Seals. On the other hand, a Seal doesn't require to go to whatever school the Recon go. It sounds that a Recon doesn't have full training while a Seal could do everything a Recon could do. It sounds almost as if Recon is just more of fodder for the Seal. Stealthfully scout out the perimeter and identify the threat but try not to engage in any battle and report back with info. Mission accomplish. Wow what an intense, afrenaline pumping mission! I know I'm been sarcastic. No offense to those who are member of the Recon.

Answer 1

you should go look at a Marine Operator and make a decision yourself if he is a "watered down version" of anything. I'm guessing you will come to the right conclusion yourself.

Answer 2

Us Marine Force Recon

Answer 3

I don't think your brother meant BUD, rather BRC. When I was in, which wasn't too long ago only Navy personnel could go through BUDs, as the training was expensive an unique to the US Navy's mission. Ultimately, it was said, if you got onto the BUDs program roster, you were either in the process of transitioning to the Navy or you were already through that process. To say one is better than the other is merely conjecture...though as a former Marine my heart is with Force Recon. The reality is, they each have their roles and responsibilities. Areas which they are the preferred drug of choice. Force will not be called in for ship boarding or underwater demolitions, as this is the arena for the SEALs. SEALs will not be called in to recon deep within enemy lines, as there is no Regiment they are to report to. Each one also engages in intelligence gathering activities and are pivotal in their role to their respective branch for their work. Recon has a little more involved in it than you are mentioning. I have many friends who are still in and are still in Force: but in Okinawa and Hawaii (by the way, Force Recon is becoming just the general recon and the Marine Corps Special Operations Teams is becoming MarSpec). Anyways, their training includes a host of things, to include 8 mile open ocean swims to shore. Long range recon and information gathering. The stuff we hear the SEALs do is largely Hollywood. Either way, Scout Snipers will always rule the Battlefield of tomorrow. I had a Staff Sergeant that was a PFC during Iraq War I, and kept two shell casings from a detour he had to take to save the @$$ of some SEALs. Apparently, they were pinned down by a tower gun and their .45 cal MP5s were not taking this position out. So, my SSgt was called from his position of support for the Force unit on sceen handling the actual enemy (as the SEALs were there to extradite someone) and take out this tower position. Marine Sniper: two shots, two kills. Navy SEALs: 300 rounds fired, no kill.

Answer 4

Us Marine Recon

Answer 5

N O!!!! US Marines Force Recon is a separate
unit and have a specific mission and the training is just as tough as the Navy SEALS!!!!!!!

Answer 6

It's cause Force Recon is all around tough and skilled. Navy Seals have a specific area of expertise.

Answer 7

Amphibious Reconnaissance, and Force Reconnaissance go through BRC (basic reconnaissance course) which is just as hard or harder than the US Navy Basic Underwater Demolition Course. They then usually go through ARC (amphibious reconnaissance course) which I hear is equally as hard. They then go through a whole slew of schools such as US Army Ranger school, US Army Airborne school, and SERE school. They then go through dive training which can be US Navy, or US Army (SF combat swimmer school).

I do know that on MEU's (Marine Expeditionary Units) the SEAL team and Force Recon team usually mix up their people to create specialized units such as a "green team" (land), "black team" (Urban), and "blue team" (water). In this SEAL's and Force Recon intermix.

One would conclude that at the very least they are equally capable.

The major difference between SEAL's and USMC Recon is funding in that SEAL's get more funding. Funding means better pay, neater toys, more support, more school slots, and more high value targets.

SEAL's get more funding because of the USMC's reluctance to place Marines solely under Special Operations Command, because of that USMC programs get less funding.

The Marines are trying to get around this issue with the creation of MARSOC or Marine Special Operations Command so that they get an equal plate at the table funding wise.

Of course another major difference between SEAL's and USMC Recon is the USMC isnt all Hollywood about its special operations. The fact that they are not that forthcoming with information on their special operations units doesnt mean that those units are less capable, infact it should indicate the opposite.

I would consider Recon more capable since they are often tasked with doing the exact same missions with less available to them, yet they perform either equal or better to SEAL's.

Your assumption is just that, an assumption and a very bad one that is incorrect.

Amphibious Reconnaissance, and Force Reconnaissance perform special operations. In your question you attempt to make it sound like they only perform reconnaissance, so I guess their name is misleading.

What do you think the British Special Air Service does? Deliver packages like UPS?

Names can be misleading.

Answer 8

the force recon is not a watered doen version of no one.the marine force recon has been in existence for nearly fifty years

Answer 9

For your health's sake, don't ask a Marine that question or you might find out (the hard way).