Raider company

[ghoststalker]

Was there such a unit called "the Raiders" in the '80's or '90's? They where supposedly a small unit (poss. just 2 platoons in size) that supported a battalion. Not sure of the correct terminology. Thanks

[josepy]

Every MEU(SOC) BN has certain companies of Marines that are trained in different specialties.

One company is trained in Combat Rubber Raiding Craft(CRRC). A company element, usually 2 reinforced platoons conduct an over the horizon amphibious raid.

I am pretty sure they are still doing it today.

Josepy
B CO Raiders
1/1

[Rigger]

Are you talking about the Marine Raider battalions from WWII?

[LOCHNESS2]

Rigger,
Reconnaissance Battalions are the advanced versions of the old Raider Batts. The Raider Batts were the first types of Marine Recon. If somebody knows differently please verify.
LOCHNESS OUT

[JSOCMarine]

The MEU (SOC) program still has each rifle company in the BLT specializing in a certain form of amphibious raid. One company each focuses on Helo, Surface (Amtraks), and Surface (Boats) raids. It does not however, limit any company from conducting other ops, the boat company can still perform a helicopterborne raid if need be.

The Raider Battalions were created in response to extremely low morale in America during the early part of WW2. In other words, the Japanese were kicking the shit out of the Allies early on. Following the British example of forming Commando units, the Marine Corps formed the Raider units with the intent of performing some "high-visibilty ops" to help bolster morale across the country. The XO of one of the battalions was Major Roosevelt, son of the President of the United States.

Early Raider missions included the raid on the Makin Atoll. The Raiders were inserted by submarine and rubber boats, went ashore and surprised a small Japanese garrison. They kicked some ass, but also experienced casualties, and in fact some Raiders were captured and beheaded. Their remains were recently discovered and returned to the states. The operation was a huge hit back home, just what American workers,etc., needed to see. The Raiders were primarily used a infantry battalions after that and they fought in some heavy combat. They were disbanded during the war.

When I came in, there were still Raiders on active duty. They were hard men, but there were a lot of hard men around back then. Everywhere you turned there were vets of Iwo Jima, Tarawa,etc. By the way, if you ever see old pictures of the Makin Raiders, you will see on their uniforms that they were awarded the Navy Submarine "Combat Dolphins" device. They were the only Marines I ever saw that were authorized to wear a badge UNDER their ribbons, much as a SEAL wears his wings.

The Raiders are considered the lineal forefathers of today's recon units. There's not many of them left, and it was my honor to serve with some of them. Semper Fi.

[ghoststalker]

Thank you gents for the replys-very helpful