R 291931Z OCT 21
MARADMIN 622/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO//
SUBJ/USMC SUPPORT TO THE ARG/MEU SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES LIAISON ELEMENT//
REF/A/MSIGID/DOCUMENT/SOCOM MESSAGE/YMD/27APR17//
REF/B/MSIGID/DOCUMENT/SOCOM MEMORANDUM/YMD/03OCT2018//
REF/C/MSIGID/DOCUMENT/MCO/YMD/29OCT2015//
REF/D/MSIGID/DOCUMENT/HQMC MESSAGE/YMD/21NOV18//
REF/E/MSIGID/DOCUEMENT/MOU/YMD/16JUN21//
POC/PPO/SEAN PATEREAU/MSGT/PPO PO/TEL: (703) 614-4510/EMAIL: SEAN.PATEREAU@USMC.MIL//
POC/PPO/AARON DOTY/LTCOL/PPO PO/TEL: (703) 692-4302/EMAIL: AARON.DOTY@USMC.MIL//
POC/SOCOM J33/JAIME MACIAS/CTR/J33/TEL: (813) 826-1284/EMAIL: JAIME.MACIAS.CTR@SOCOM.MIL//
NARR/REF (A) USSOCOM MESSAGE ARG/MEU-SOFLE REVISED PROGRAM CONCEPT AND PERSONNEL SOURCING//
NARR/REF (B) IS USSOCOM POLICY MEMORANDUM 18-27, ENTERPRISE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ARG/MEU SOFLE PROGRAM//
NARR/REF (C) IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 3120.13 POLICY FOR MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNITS//
NARR/REF (D) IS HQMC MESSAGE CMC/PPO DIRECTION TO PROVIDE ARG-MEU SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES LIAISON ELEMENT AUGMENTATION//
NARR/REF (E) I MEF MARSOC MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message combines ref (c) (d) and (e) to provide a single source document concerning Marine Corps support to the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)/Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE).
2.  Per ref (a) and (b), United States (US) Special Operations Command (SOCOM) provides a SOFLE to ARG/MEUs based in the Continental US (CONUS) to leverage Special Operations Forces (SOF) and General Purpose Force (GPF) capabilities to provide and achieve greater mutual operational support in servicing Geographic Combatant Commander's objectives.
3.  The Marine Corps will provide support to the ARG/MEU SOFLE program in the following areas:
3.a.  Personnel Support
3.a.1.  SOFLE team augmentation.  The United States Marine Corps (USMC) will augment the ARG/MEU SOFLE with two (2) US Marine E6 communication Marines in one of the following Military Occupational Specialties; 2651, 062X, 063X, AND 067X.  Grade variances of one up, one down are authorized.  Communicators will be sourced from the geographically co-located Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Information Groups.
3.a.1.a.  Communications Marines will attach to the MEU Command Element (CE) upon compositing of the CE or no later than E-180 and permanently augment the SOFLE team at E-150 to MEU decomposite R+30.  USMC augmentees will report with a Top Secret (TS)/Sensitive Compartmented Information eligible clearance (investigations initiated) and SOCOM Information Environment (SIE) administrator Tier 1 compliant (COMPTIA SECURITY+) prior to communications system training.
3.a.2.  Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC) Coordination.  As part of the ARG/MEU SOFLE program, the deploying MEU will provide an O-4 Liaison Officer (LNO) to the TSOC, appropriate SOF forward-deployed, or subordinate headquarters.
3.a.2.a.  The MEU LNO will participate in ARG/MEU Predeployment Training Program (PTP) activities and receive SOF staff officer specific training in conjunction with the SOFLE's training schedule.
3.a.2.b.  The USSOCOM ARG/MEU SOFLE program office will sponsor the MEU LNO'S attendance to the following Joint Special Operations University courses:
3.a.2.b.1.  Introduction to Special Operations Forces (fully online).
3.a.2.b.2.  Joint Special Operations Task Force (LEVEL 1) distance learning.
3.a.2.b.3.  Special Operations Planning Course.
3.a.2.b.4.  TSOC-Basic Education Course.
3.a.3.  Parent commands will retain administrative responsibility for all Marine Corps personnel supporting the SOFLE program.
3.b.  Predeployment Training.
3.b.1.  The ARG/MEU PTP is an opportunity to integrate the SOFLE with the ARG/MEU prior to deployment.  The MEFs will support Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) G-7 in the coordination of SOF unit participation in a minimum of one live at-sea exercise during the ARG/MEU PTP to expose the ARG/MEU to SOF operations and to promote ARG/MEU and SOF interoperability.  The MARSOC G-7 will design, implement, and assess the ARG/MEU/SOF training event in coordination with Headquarters (HQ) USSOCOM, respective MEF Expeditionary Operations Training Group, and Carrier Strike Group.
3.b.2.  The MEU leadership and key staff will participate in the ARG/MEU-SOF workshop (AMSW) to exchange capabilities, limitations, and disposition of ARG/MEU and USSOF.  AMSW can be conducted virtually, at USSOCOM HQ'S, or ARG/MEU home station.
3.b.3.  The MEU staff will coordinate with the SOFLE program office to conduct an ARG/MEU-SOFLE predeployment site survey (PDSS).  The purpose of the PDSS is to allow ARG/MEU and identified TSOCS to coordinate on the upcoming ARG/MEU deployment and facilitate integration opportunities (Theater Security Cooperation engagements and forecasted Joint ARG/MEU - SOF operations, activities, and investments).  The PDSS duration is approximately two (2) weeks, but may vary by MEU.
3.b.4.  USMC SOFLE communications augmentees will attend MARSOC Network Operators Course (MNOC), shipboard communications training at the Naval Information Warfare Center facility, and communications shipboard installation training prior to the at-sea training.  Training requirements for SOFLE communications augmentees will be funded by USSOCOM.  MEFs will validate USMC MNOC nominees to ensure they meet the requirements identified in paragraphs 3.a.1 and 3.a.1.b.
3.c.  Logistics.
3.c.1.  The MEU will provide the SOFLE support in all logistical functional areas and for service common support.
3.c.2.  USSOCOM is responsible for Special Operations–Peculiar (SO-P) equipment density list sourcing, purchase, and maintenance of SO-P items.
3.c.3.  The MEU in coordination with the Fleet Surgical Team, will provide medical, dental, and medical planning services to the SOFLE.
3.c.4.  The MEF will assist the SOFLE program with the temporary storage, movement, embarkation, and debarkation of USSOCOM Quadruple Container (QUADCONS) and Internal Airlift/ Helicopter Slingable Container Unit (ISU)-90 containers.  Temporary storage and movement may occur during predeployment training events incorporating the SOFLE and MARSOC Exercise Control Group (ECG).  The MARSOC ECG coordinates inclusion of SOCOM components tactical integration along with synthetic injects to MEU scenario-based training.
3.c.5.  The MEF G-6 will assist the SOLFE program with installation of SOFLE shipboard equipment.
3.c.6.  The MEU will provide embarkation support to the SOFLE by providing storage for four (4) QUADCONS, space to store SOFLE weapons (armory), and other SOFLE equipment during the entirety of their assignment to the MEU.  The ARG/MEU will store the QUADCONS in an area where the SOFLE can access the gear to perform their duties.  SOFLE is responsible for coordination with MEF/MEU for embarkation requirements.  MEU retains responsibility for all load out considerations and inspection requirements for equipment scheduled for embarkation.
3.c.7.  While embarked aboard ARG ships, the MEU will provide the SOFLE with messing, billeting, and services in accordance with the appropriate ship's troop regulations.  The MEU will assist in facilitating any contract support personnel necessary for troubleshooting aboard ARG ships during deployments to include assistance with securing shipboard billeting.
3.c.8.  The MEU will coordinate movement of SOFLE (personnel and equipment embarked aboard ARG ships) to designated Aerial Port of Debarkation and Seaport of Debarkation when required to debark.
3.c.9.  The MEU will provide organic and intermediate maintenance support to the SOFLE when deployed for Marine Corps program of record equipment.  Such support will continue (regardless of employment) until this capability is replaced by another supporting agency.  The SOFLE will request MEU maintenance support per the standard operation procedure and conducting operator preventive maintenance per equipment technical manuals.
3.d.  Communications.
3.d.1.  The MEU will create shipboard and forward domain accounts for each SOFLE member on the following networks: Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR) Network (NET), Secret Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) Net, and Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System.
3.d.2.  The MEU S-6 will facilitate coordination between the SOFLE communications personnel, the ship's Information Officer and the ship's Communications Officer.
3.d.3.  The MEU S-6 will coordinate an admin workspace with phone, desk, and chairs with NIPR/SIPR terminal access in the Landing Force Operations Center.  SOFLE workspaces require availability of two (2) NIPR ports/connections (MEU network), and two (2) SIPR ports/connections (MEU network).  Other workspaces will be made available/shared with other ARG/MEU entities as required or dedicated during surge operations.
3.d.4.  The MEU S-2 will coordinate SOFLE workspace in the A Joint Intelligence Center.  The SOFLE workspace needs to be outfitted with one (1) NIPR ports/connection (MEU network), and one (1) SIPR ports/connection (MEU network).
3.d.5.  The MEU S-2 will provide security storage capability for TS/Alternative Compensatory Control Measuresmaterial.
3.d.6.  The MEU Communication Security (COMSEC) Manager will support the SOFLE with COMSEC Keying Material (KEYMAT) for all required USSOCOM and Joint Special Operations Command KEYMAT in accordance with USSOCOM/MEU COMSEC letter of agreement.
3.d.7.  The ARG/MEU is responsible to provide tactical radio communications circuits in support of GPF and SOF mission planning and execution.
3.e.  Funding.
3.e.1.  SOCOM is responsible for Temporary Additional Duty (TAD)/Temporary Duty (TDY) funding of the two (2) Marine augments to include CONUS PTP events and operational support during the ARG/MEU deployment.
3.e.2.  The MEU is responsible for TAD/TDY funding of the MEU LNO to the TSOC.
3.e.3.  The Marine Corps sourcing unit will coordinate with SOCOM for the cross-organization of the two (2) communications augments to the SOFLE line of accounting (SOCOM J33).
3.f.  Staff Coordination.
3.f.1.  Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Operations Division (PO) will provide the ARG/MEU SOFLE Program Manager ARG/MEU deployment schedules and updates on changes.
3.f.2.  HQMC, Maritime Expeditionary Warfare and PO will ensure that the ARG/MEU SOFLE Program Manager is afforded the opportunity to participate, and when necessary, provide program updates at the Operational Advisory Groups, Force Synchronization Conference, and any other ARG/MEU relevant conference.
3.f.3.  Marine Corps agencies that support the ARG/MEU will participate in USSOCOM hosted ARG/MEU SOFLE battle rhythm events.  Events include, but are not limited to, the monthly ARG/MEU SOFLE Integrated Planning Team, the ARG/MEU/SOF predeployment working groups, and the biennial ARG/MEU SOFLE Program Review.
4.  Any questions should be directed to the Plans, Policies, and Operations contacts listed above.
5.  Release authorized by BGen Peter D. Huntley, Director of Operations for Plans, Policies, and Operations.//