22
Marine Force Recon
Force Recon developed this technique during the VietnamWar.
Another method of debarkation from a chopper is helocast-
ing. This procedure requires a Marine to jump from the helicop-
ter into the water and swim to shore.
Force Recon Marines also use parachutes when their objec-
tive is beyond helicopter range and absolute quiet and stealth are
required. The men exit the aircraft at heights of up to seven miles
(11.3 km) and glide silently toward the ground. Special harnesses
enable them to carry a fully loaded rucksack or other equipment.
Some of these insertions are classified as high altitude–high
opening (HAHO). The jumper opens his chute—often a
parafoil
—
withinmoments of exiting the aircraft. He uses a
Global Position-
ing System
(GPS) or other navigational tool to head toward the
target, which can be up to 40 miles (64.4 km) away. In high alti-
tude–low opening (HALO) operations, the Marine free-falls most
of the distance to the ground before deploying the chute.
Phase 2 of the BRC lasts three weeks. It concentrates on
the tactics for successful small-unit operations, culminating
in a nine-day exercise under conditions the men are likely
to encounter in the real world. The final two weeks of train-
ing, Phase 3, shifts southward to Coronado, across the bay
from San Diego. There the trainees learn to navigate on the
open ocean. One of the challenges is to land a Zodiac rubber
boat in breakers several feet high, and then
launch the craft back into the surf when a
mission is complete.
After finishing the course, newly minted
Force Recon operators are assigned to the
Force Recon companies attached to one of
the three MEFs. Their training is far from over.
There are many advanced courses the men
can take to become even more proficient.
Some, such as those to become a combatant
FORCE FACTS
The combatant diver course includes learning how to
use a rebreather, which recirculates the breathing gas a diver uses to avoid
the telltale stream of bubbles from conventional scuba gear.
Recon soldiers must
be able to carry their
gear, weighing 50
pounds (22.7 kg) or more,
through the water.
