該單位成立的目的,在於實驗與研究適用於陸戰隊的新戰術或偵察手段等。其負責人布魯斯邁爾斯(Bruce F. Meyers)與其團隊實驗偵察排排長約瑟夫泰勒(Joseph Z. Taylor)提出了很多在當時屬於創新的偵察技術,如利用武裝跳傘滲透偵察的高跳低拉(英语:High Altitude Low Opening),或使用直昇機滲透偵察等,使得美軍陸戰隊在當時敵後偵察方面擁有進一步優勢。
黑色行動任務,即直接行動(英语:direct action (military))(direct action,縮寫:DA)。與綠色行動任務相反,直接行動任務時,武裝偵察部隊的特戰人員基本上是"look for trouble"。根據情勢和目標位置的範圍,FORECON通常會指揮火砲與海軍艦砲支援行動。這些行動能展示小規模的震懾(英语:shock and awe)。
Their courses to its various schools are intertwined with the Pre-deployment Training Program (PTP), a training protocol of the Fleet Marine Force–its task forces–that are conducted yearly in a perpetual, continuous cycle. The reconnaissance Marines within FORECON community are unique in that it is the volition of the individual Marine to remain another two-year detachment to the Force Reconnaissance Company. Those that had chosen to remain in the company will proceed to the advanced course of instructions, and again during the next FMF rotational training cycle, and forth. This is due in respects to their status of having already completed and qualified in the appropriate course required for MOS 0321; which otherwise, the initial training, e.g. the accession pipeline, are reserved for the candidates.
The first phase in FORECON's Mission Training Plan takes place within the MEU's Initial Training Phase.[15]
During the "Individual Training Phase", the candidates are undergoing the accession pipeline to become qualified MOS 0321 (Reconnaissance Marine). After further training, the already-billeted Force Recon operators (who had already completed the required courses in the accession pipeline [BRC, parachutist and diving, and SERE/HRP courses]) attain MOS 0326 (Reconnaissance Marine, parachute and combatant diver qualified) and may continue to remain with FORECON after the three-year rotation cycle. They may be selected for additional advanced cross-service training from other schools provided by the Special Operations Forces (SOF) units. Although these specialized schools are not necessarily required, they are highly encouraged.
Many Marine Corps 'training liaisons' represent the Marines at many cross-services schools, to ensure training slots and openings are met and filled by the Marines that requested, or were recommended, for advanced training.[15] Some of these courses may not be able to facilitate the Marine students; the instructors of these schools resort to complement the Marines' requested syllabus by designing similar subsidiary courses. This argument becomes clear on whether Marines may, or may not, actually attend the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S). Nonetheless, in the past, selected operators within Force Recon had attended the courses of instructions provided by BUD/S Instructors and their completion is documented in their military Service Record Book (SRB) or Officer Qualification Record (OQR).[來源請求]
黑色行動時,陸戰隊員會攜帶更多武器以用於限制空間作戰:手榴彈、卡賓槍、冲锋枪,與任何用於破壞障礙物和門的工具。他們可配有包含雷射指標的器材以「描繪」其目標和雷射導引座標以打擊 deliver payload to 預期外目標. 由於他們是「主動向敵進攻」(bringing the fight to the enemy),他們並不會依靠偽裝因於這些狀況中「潛行滲透」不為其要素
Parachute pack systems—The 降落傘 is one of the 註冊商標 of Force Recon, throughout its existence the operators have extensively used a wide variety of parachutes. 1950年代中期, they used the T-10, then later adopting the Capewell canopy release which provided a cut-away(英语:Cut-away) to reduce the deadly effect of drag. The T-10 became the most frequented parachute; which had two variants, one for low-level static line (LLSL) and the other for 軍事自由落體跳傘(英语:Military Free Fall)(MFF) descends. They had numerous parachutes listed under the 裝備表 (T/E) that had been contained in the Paraloft. Even in its formative days in the 陸戰隊戰術實驗組(英语:Marine Corps Test Unit), the operators and testers of the 海軍空降小隊(NPU) at 埃爾森特羅美國海軍航空設施(英语:Naval Air Facility El Centro) had tested and sported numerous parachutes, adding modifications and suggestions that soon were adopted by other parachutists. By the 1990年代,MC-4和MC-5型衝壓空氣翼傘(英语:Parafoil)(Ram Air Parachutes) became the feasible choice, as it allows more detailed and accurate landing in smaller areas, easy to control—especially during oscillation of the canopy. Plus, it was formed to modulate between the LLSL and MFF without having to consort to a different pack.
These are parachutes that are still contained in the T/E of the Parachute Loft, however some may not be currently in use:
T-10
MC1-B
MC-series* (MC-4, MC-5) [* Ram Air]
* Canopies (Main & Reserve): Surface area 370平方英尺(34平方米)
* Altitude range: 3,000英尺(910米) AG> to 30,000英尺(9,100米) ft MSL
* Forward speed: 15–25 MPH
* Rate of descent: 4–18 ft/sec
* Maximum Load: 700英磅(320公斤)
Multi-Mission Parachute System (MMPS) [currently being implemented—replacing the older MC-5]
Parachutist Individual Equipment Kit (PIEK)—The PIEK contains all the Force Recon's parachutist clothing and equipment assigned by Force Recon's Paraloft. They are used for the high-altitude MFFs (HAHO or HALO) and LLSL parachute operations. Due to extreme cold encountered during high altitude parachute operations, the parachutist must have protection from the environment.
Flyer's Kitbag—used to carry operator's rucksack, ammunition, communications, etc.
Single Action Release Personal Equipment Lowering Equipment (SARPELS)—The Force Recon operators are equipped with a complete equipment lowering system for both LLSL and MFF parachute operations. It allows them carry various configurations of all their individual mission-essential equipment, usually contained within their Flyer's Kitbag. SARPELS provides easy access to their weapons and equipment upon parachute landing and has a single-action release capability. It can be front or rear mounted, whichever is preferred. Once they have descended to about 100英尺(30米) above the surface, they use the SARPEL to release their gear (weapons/kitbag), dropping it below them while still attached to their harness by a 25-英尺(7.6-米) rope. It is used to minimize injuries in landing due to heavy load of equipment. The parachustists must maneuver themselves in order not to drop onto their gear during 降落傘下降著陸(英语:Parachute Landing Fall)。
^Ray W. Stubbe, AARUGHA!: History of Specialized and Force-level Reconnaissance Activities and Units of the United States Marine Corps, 1900-1974, Fleet Marine Reference Publication 12-21 (MCB Quantico, HQMC: Historical Division, 1981).
^ 15.015.115.2Patrick A. Rogers, Strong Men Armed: The Marine Corps 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, theaccuraterifle.com (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆) Part II: Volume 4, Number 1 (Manchester, CT: Feb 2001)