MEU(SOC) est.?

[SGTROCK]

When or approximately when was the term MEU (SOC) first implemented by the Corps? Also was there a different or equivalent designation before it was renamed MEU (SOC)? For example MAGTAF,MEF, MEB etc...

Rock

[SOTB]

The first MEUSOC was an E Coast MEU, formerly named MAUs (Marine Amphibious Units). I don't remember the exact deployment date, but I believe their workup began in the summer of '85, and they were on station and participated in SAR-ops after the bombing of Libya in '86.

[SOTB]

The term was actually coined in a couple of position and then decisions papers in early 84.I remember that first or second MEU, people were referring to them as MAUs and MEUs, as if the MEU designation wasn't going to take hold. I think that by the third MEU, I don't remember anyone still referring to them as MAUs any longer.

The third MEU was the first (IIRC) that didn't get their SOC designation prior to deployment -- resulting in the FR platoon hanging out in England for like 6-8 weeks doing another workup and SOCEX, if I'm not mistaken....

[SGTROCK]

The first MEUSOC was an E Coast MEU, formerly named MAUs (Marine Amphibious Units). I don't remember the exact deployment date, but I believe their workup began in the summer of '85, and they were on station and participated in SAR-ops after the bombing of Libya in '86. Thank you that does help. I was part of a MAGTF in 87-88 and I never knew if it was a MEU,MEF or MEB.

Rock

[Silverbullet]

Thank you that does help. I was part of a MAGTF in 87-88 and I never knew if it was a MEU,MEF or MEB.

Rock

It was none of those. It was a special purpose MAGTF.

SOTB is correct about the implementation dates. The term was actually coined in a couple of position and then decisions papers in early 84.

[SGTROCK]

It was none of those. It was a special purpose MAGTF. Now you are starting to scare me bro!:biggrin: Do Special Purpose MAGTF's still exist?

Rock

[Silverbullet]

They are task organized for specific purposes. I have no idea if there are any formed right now. Sorry

[SGTROCK]

They are task organized for specific purposes. I have no idea if there are any formed right now. Sorry Its cool. Both of you guys gave me the info I was looking for. Much appreciated.

Rock

[SOTB]

Both of you guys gave me the info I was looking for....I think I am a little sad that I knew that info so quickly....:redface::(

[SGTROCK]

I think I am a little sad that I knew that info so quickly....:redface::(
LOL I feel sad I didnt know the correct info and I was on the particular operation. I even still have the MUC official memo from the SECNAV.

Rock

[Frog]

I know a little about this as I wrote my Thesis on the MEU (SOC) back in 1994.

The MAU (SOC) came into existence in 1985 by then Commandant P.X. Kelly. In 1988, Gen Al Gray changed the term to "Expeditionary".

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm

"The designation of MAGTFs as "amphibious" rather than "expeditionary" continued until 1988, when General Gray put things back the way they had been, to reflect more accurately Marine Corps (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm#) missions and capabilities. Said General Gray in explaining this change: "The Marine air-ground forces which we forward deploy around the world are not limited to amphibious operations alone. Rather, they are capable of projecting sustained, combined arms combat power ashore in order to conduct a wide range of missions essential to the protection of our national security (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm#) interests."

[SGTROCK]

I know a little about this as I wrote my Thesis on the MEU (SOC) back in 1994.

The MAU (SOC) came into existence in 1985 by then Commandant P.X. Kelly. In 1988, Gen Al Gray changed the term to "Expeditionary".

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm

"The designation of MAGTFs as "amphibious" rather than "expeditionary" continued until 1988, when General Gray put things back the way they had been, to reflect more accurately Marine Corps (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm#) missions and capabilities. Said General Gray in explaining this change: "The Marine air-ground forces which we forward deploy around the world are not limited to amphibious operations alone. Rather, they are capable of projecting sustained, combined arms combat power ashore in order to conduct a wide range of missions essential to the protection of our national security (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm#) interests." Very interesting. When I was on this MAGTF and then the SpecOps barge Hercules, General Gray made a visit with SGTMAJ Sommers to the barge,Senator Kennedy came a few days later. He actually punched me in the arm ,asked me if I had Red Man tobacco and asked me to kneel down next to him personally for a picture. Then he said I reminded him of himself when he was a young Marine. Well holy shit before that I had only seen one General in my life and that was at a distance during Boot graduation. I still have the picture and tell this story of meeting the General with great pride.
For reference: I believe this operation ended in April of 88 and we received and Expeditionary medal among others for the mission.

Rock

[Forestboy]

They are task organized for specific purposes. I have no idea if there are any formed right now. Sorry

There is currently a SMAGTF working the Eastern Coast of Central and South America. They are primarily out to assist should a hurricane strike Haiti while they are still FUBAR'd from the earthquake. There is another that will be going out late this year early or next year. Both of these are much smaller than a normal MEU and are commanded by O-5 LtCol's. If I had been quicker to volunteer I would be floating with and hitting one of the 15-20 ports the SMAGTF are putting in at.

[SOTB]

There is currently a SMAGTF working the Eastern Coast of Central and South America....Both of these are much smaller than a normal MEU and are commanded by O-5 LtCol's....Didn't these used to be called UNITAS floats? Or is that a different animal?

[SGTROCK]

There is currently a SMAGTF working the Eastern Coast of Central and South America. They are primarily out to assist should a hurricane strike Haiti while they are still FUBAR'd from the earthquake. There is another that will be going out late this year early or next year. Both of these are much smaller than a normal MEU and are commanded by O-5 LtCol's. If I had been quicker to volunteer I would be floating with and hitting one of the 15-20 ports the SMAGTF are putting in at.
Yes our CO was an 0-5 frocked. We surely didnt receive any Humanitarian medals for this mission but I earned that a few months later when my Regiment was sent to Yellowstone National Park to fight the great fires for a month. The hardest work Ive ever done!

Rock

[Forestboy]

Didn't these used to be called UNITAS floats? Or is that a different animal?

Yes, they used to be UNITAS, now it's a SMAGTF.

This is my first tour on the East Coast, II MEF is a bit strange...

[0699]

Yes, they used to be UNITAS, now it's a SMAGTF.

This is my first tour on the East Coast, II MEF is a bit strange...

And the award for understatement of the month goes to Forestboy :biggrin:

[Bravo_One_Three]

I know a little about this as I wrote my Thesis on the MEU (SOC) back in 1994.

The MAU (SOC) came into existence in 1985 by then Commandant P.X. Kelly. In 1988, Gen Al Gray changed the term to "Expeditionary".

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm

"The designation of MAGTFs as "amphibious" rather than "expeditionary" continued until 1988, when General Gray put things back the way they had been, to reflect more accurately Marine Corps (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm#) missions and capabilities. Said General Gray in explaining this change: "The Marine air-ground forces which we forward deploy around the world are not limited to amphibious operations alone. Rather, they are capable of projecting sustained, combined arms combat power ashore in order to conduct a wide range of missions essential to the protection of our national security (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meb.htm#) interests."

This is more in line with my recollection. When I was getting short at Subic in 89, I got orders to 1st MAB at Kaneohe Bay. Maybe a month later I got a new set of orders that were for 1st MEB... at Kaneohe Bay. I guess they didn't want me to get there and think I was in the wrong place :rolleyes:

I wish I still had the manila envelope those orders arrived in. It had "URGENT" and "RUSH" stamped on it like 20 times.

[McTavish]

Ahhhh the stories of UNITAS...like the time we had an all out riot in Caracas 'cause one of the boys was flirtin' with a local senorita.
"Is that gauze in your cheeks or are tryin' to swallow an orange?" Man the hell we caused.

[heavyguns1/1]

This is more in line with my recollection. When I was getting short at Subic in 89, I got orders to 1st MAB at Kaneohe Bay. Maybe a month later I got a new set of orders that were for 1st MEB... at Kaneohe Bay. I guess they didn't want me to get there and think I was in the wrong place :rolleyes:

I wish I still had the manila envelope those orders arrived in. It had "URGENT" and "RUSH" stamped on it like 20 times.


PI to Hawaii, the horror.

[The Sheepdog]

I was at Kaneohe Bay from 85-89. I happened to be there when we went from MAB to MEB. I never could see the difference. I would have like to have had the money spent on sending out new orders for the same place. Oh well, it was nice there while it lasted. The only problem with being there was that I was NEVER there. We were everywhere else but in beautiful sunny Hawaii.

[bohica10]

...

[Realist]

The dates about the MEU name are right on. The GCE was 3/4 as I recall. These SPMAGTF stand up for -I'll probably regret this- "special purposes." Hurricanes, typhoons, urban warrior, etc.

As an intereresting aside, the rifle companies (4 then. BLT 2/8 1991 was the last to have E,F,G, and H companies) of that first GCE each worked out with experimental headgear. At the end of the period, the overwhelming choice of camo headwear between the beret, FFL-like kepi w/ neck flap, baseball cap, and standard soft cover was........the Kepi. I am sure some old HQ type laughed it away.

I speak with Gen. Grey periodically. He is still sharp as a whip at 82. The last great idea I heard from him concerned the downsizing talk. He said that, "It needs to be light enough to carry in, heavy enough to win." This describes some of my favorite things.

[O'DubhGhaill]

SOTB, as I remember, we were part of the 26th MAU-SOC during our 1986 workups, 1987 (Jan-Jul?) deployment. I have a t-shirt from that deployment that read something to the effect of "26th MAU - Special Operations Capable - The First, the Best." I believe it was the first SOC designated MAU deployment. I simply refuse to believe that it was some 23 years ago. I do remember meeting CMC Al Grey on one of our ships on that MAU, in Venice I believe.... Trident86 was on that one too I believe.

[SOTB]

SOTB, as I remember, we were part of the 26th MAU-SOC during our 1986 workups, 1987 (Jan-Jul?) deployment. I have a t-shirt from that deployment that read something to the effect of "26th MAU - Special Operations Capable - The First, the Best." I believe it was the first SOC designated MAU deployment. I simply refuse to believe that it was some 23 years ago. I do remember meeting CMC Al Grey on one of our ships on that MAU, in Venice I believe.... Trident86 was on that one too I believe.Yup, those are the dates. I don't remember that we were the first to be designated SOC, but it might have been. I know the float before us was NOT designated SOC, due to failing the SOCEX.

I also remember when Gen Gray came to visit -- he came over to talk with our platoon about a recent shooting competition, in which Bruce V, Chris A, and myself beat the Carabinieri Olympic pistol team in a shooting competition in the team category -- I think that was in Naples. Chris took high shooter of the competition....

[O'DubhGhaill]

Damn if you all didn't get to do something fun in that port-pit other than the NATO club...did you all beat them on their own turf with Berettas or your .45s?

[SOTB]

....did you all beat them on their own turf with Berettas or your .45s?.45s....

[Cecil]

.45s....

Gotta love the ole MEU(SOC) .45's.
Who knows how many rounds we put through them year after year.

This is where my love for the 1911 was solidified.