The foundation of MARSOC is its people. MARSOC Marines must be mature, intelligent, mentally agile, determined, ethical, physically fit and able to contribute to and collaborate as part of an independent team.  They must also be able to function in remote, ambiguous and complex environments with limited support. So if you want to... • Travel to remote regions and work with different cultures... • Become eligible to participate in highly specialized training... • Be an integral part of a small, close-knit team... • Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment...                 ...take the challenge. [Click here to learn more.]

MARSOC Updates MARSOC graduates newest special operators, grows forces By Cpl. Kyle McNally MARSOC Public Affairs MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Dec. 2, 2011) – As U.S. and NATO forces, including up to 10,000 Marines, start an accelerated troop withdrawal from Afghanistan as early as next fall, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command knows that the withdrawal does not include them for now – in fact, MARSOC continues to grow and will see a continued presence in Afghanistan. With an increasing demand for special operators, MARSOC is fulfilling its charge to bring more Marines to the unconventional fight – most recently by graduating 42 Critical Skills Operators from its Individual Training Course at a ceremony at MARSOC headquarters, Dec. 2.  ITC Class 2-11 was the largest graduating class of CSOs to date, according to John Daily, deputy director of the Special Operations Training Branch.  The smaller attrition rate of this class can be attributed to the majority of the students having completed the Assessment and Selection Preparation and Orientation Course (ASPOC) – a 21-day course that better prepares candidates for the grueling 19-day Assessment and Selection process, he added.  ASPOC provides a baseline of fitness training and instruction in skills that will be required of the candidates during A&S. “The benefits of ASPOC continue to be felt as the course is refined,” said Daily.  “ITC Class 3-11, which is currently in session, is performing exceptionally well.” READ MORE USSOCOM welcomes new commander By Tech. Sgt. Heather Kelly USSOCOM Public Affairs MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., -- Adm. William H. McRaven assumed command of U.S. Special Operations Command from Adm. Eric T. Olson during a change of command ceremony here today at the Davis Conference Center.  Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta presided over the ceremony, praising Olson for the work he and the command have accomplished. “Eric is beloved by those under his command,” said Panetta. “As he says, humans are more important than hardware, and quality is more important than quantity. And that’s exactly where his focus has been here at SOCOM – finding, caring for and keeping the highest quality people.  “As a result of his hard work, we now have the best-trained, the best-equipped and the most experienced Special Operations Force in the history of the United States.” Panetta also acknowledged Olson’s operational contributions. “Eric is a true legend in the Special Operations community,” Panetta said. “He was the first four-star Navy SEAL. READ MORE  MARSOC Units in the News • IN THE HIGHEST TRADITION