Fleet Marine Force
Encyclopedia
The United States
Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious
or expeditionary warfare
and defensive maritime employment. The Fleet Marine Forces provide the National Command Authority
(NCA) with a responsive force that can conduct operations in any spectrum of conflict around the globe.
and Marine Corps' forces
components that would entirely make up the Fleet Marine Forces on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, or within its "designate(s)". While it serves directly under the Marine Corps organization, the FMF personnel, Marines and Sailors, are subject to the operational control of naval fleet commanders; the Commandant of the Marine Corps
(CMC) retains administrative and training control.
The Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force; either its Pacific (CG FMFPAC) or Atlantic (CG FMFLANT) command, are responsible for the administration and training of all of the subordinate units of the Marine Corps Forces (MARCORFOR). The subordinate units of the Fleet Marine Forces come under the operational control of the commanders, U.S. Fleet Force Command
(formerly Atlantic Fleet) or United States Pacific Fleet
, when deployed.
The commanders of Marine Forces Command
(MARFORCOM) and Pacific
(MARFORPAC) serve as Marine Corps component commanders to their respective combatant commanders and may also serve as commanding generals of Fleet Marine Forces (FMFs) Atlantic, or Pacific.
The operating forces of the Marine Corps are currently organized into two Fleet Marine Forces (FMF):
Each FMF is equivalent to a U.S. Navy type command
and reports to its respective Fleet Commander-in-Chief. The commanding general, a lieutenant general may be either an aviator or a ground officer. His deputy commanding general is from the other community.
Marine Corps forces are organized as MAGTFs and are either employed as part of naval expeditionary forces or separately as part of larger joint or combined forces.
Each FMF consists of at least one Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), one Marine Division (MARDIV), and one Marine Logistics Group (formerly the Force Service Support Group [FSSG]). Other miscellaneous supporting units may be attached. Additionally, each FMF is further organized into warfighting units of combined arms known as Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF's).
in the early 20th century. The history of the FMF dates to December 7, 1933, when Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson
issued General Order 241 defining the Fleet Marine Force.
Momentarily before and during World War II, the Fleet Marine Force had FMF units also in western Pacific assigned to the United States Asiatic Fleet
, establishing the Fleet Marine Force, Western Pacific (FMFWestPac).
issues the FMF Enlisted Warfare Specialist Insignia and the FMF Qualified Officer Insignia (formerly, the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
was issued). Naval Fleet Marine Force personnel, usually Corpsmen or Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers who participate in amphibious assaults
, are also eligible to receive the FMF Combat Operations Insignia to certain service medals and ribbons. Such Naval personnel are authorized to wear the Marine Corps utility uniform with Navy insignia, and must conform to all physical requirements of the U.S. Marines.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
or expeditionary warfare
Expeditionary warfare
Expeditionary warfare is used to describe the organization of a state's military to fight abroad, especially when deployed to fight away from its established bases at home or abroad. Expeditionary forces were in part the antecedent of the modern concept of Rapid Deployment Forces...
and defensive maritime employment. The Fleet Marine Forces provide the National Command Authority
National Command Authority
National Command Authority is a term used by the Department of Defense of the United States of America to refer to the ultimate lawful source of military orders. The NCA comprises the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense jointly, or their duly deputized successors, i.e...
(NCA) with a responsive force that can conduct operations in any spectrum of conflict around the globe.
Organization
The Fleet Marine Force consists of both combative naval fleetsUnited States Navy operating forces organization
The structure of the United States Navy consists of four main bodies: the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, the operating forces , and the Shore Establishment....
and Marine Corps' forces
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
components that would entirely make up the Fleet Marine Forces on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, or within its "designate(s)". While it serves directly under the Marine Corps organization, the FMF personnel, Marines and Sailors, are subject to the operational control of naval fleet commanders; the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
(CMC) retains administrative and training control.
The Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force; either its Pacific (CG FMFPAC) or Atlantic (CG FMFLANT) command, are responsible for the administration and training of all of the subordinate units of the Marine Corps Forces (MARCORFOR). The subordinate units of the Fleet Marine Forces come under the operational control of the commanders, U.S. Fleet Force Command
United States Fleet Forces Command
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
(formerly Atlantic Fleet) or United States Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
, when deployed.
The commanders of Marine Forces Command
United States Marine Corps Forces Command
Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command , headquartered at Naval Support Activity Norfolk, Virginia, commands Service retained-operating forces; executes force sourcing and synchronization to affect force generation actions in the provisioning of joint capable Marine Corps forces, and directs...
(MARFORCOM) and Pacific
United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific
Marine Forces Pacific are the forces from the United States Marine Corps that fall under the United States Pacific Command. It is the largest field command in the Marine Corps. Headquartered at Camp H. M...
(MARFORPAC) serve as Marine Corps component commanders to their respective combatant commanders and may also serve as commanding generals of Fleet Marine Forces (FMFs) Atlantic, or Pacific.
The operating forces of the Marine Corps are currently organized into two Fleet Marine Forces (FMF):
-
Fleet Marine Force, PacificFleet Marine Force, PacificThe United States Fleet Marine Force, Pacific is the largest maritime landing force in the world. Its units are spread across the Pacific Ocean and reports to the United States Pacific Command. It is headquartered at MCB Camp H. M...
(FMFPAC) with headquarters in Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, HawaiiHonolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and... -
Fleet Marine Force, AtlanticFleet Marine Force, AtlanticThe United States Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic is the maritime landing force that are spread across the Atlantic Ocean and reports to the United States Atlantic Command...
(FMFLANT) with headquarters in Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaNorfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
.
Each FMF is equivalent to a U.S. Navy type command
U.S. Navy type commands
U.S. Navy type commands perform vital administrative, personnel, and operational training functions for a "type" of weapon system within a fleet organization.-Overview:...
and reports to its respective Fleet Commander-in-Chief. The commanding general, a lieutenant general may be either an aviator or a ground officer. His deputy commanding general is from the other community.
Marine Corps forces are organized as MAGTFs and are either employed as part of naval expeditionary forces or separately as part of larger joint or combined forces.
Each FMF consists of at least one Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), one Marine Division (MARDIV), and one Marine Logistics Group (formerly the Force Service Support Group [FSSG]). Other miscellaneous supporting units may be attached. Additionally, each FMF is further organized into warfighting units of combined arms known as Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF's).
History
Its predecessor was the Advanced Base ForceAdvanced Base Force
The United States Marine Corps's Advanced Base Force was a coastal and naval base defense force that was designed to set up mobile and fixed bases in the event of major landing operations within, and beyond, the territorial United States...
in the early 20th century. The history of the FMF dates to December 7, 1933, when Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson
Claude A. Swanson
Claude Augustus Swanson was an American lawyer and Democratic Party politician from Virginia.He served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1893 until 1906, was the 45th Governor of Virginia from 1906 until 1910, and represented Virginia as a United States Senator from 1910 until...
issued General Order 241 defining the Fleet Marine Force.
Momentarily before and during World War II, the Fleet Marine Force had FMF units also in western Pacific assigned to the United States Asiatic Fleet
United States Asiatic Fleet
The United States Asiatic Fleet was part of the U.S. Navy. Preceding the World War II era, until 1942, the fleet protected the Philippines.Originally the Asiatic Squadron, it was upgraded to fleet status in 1902. In 1907, the fleet became the First Squadron of the Pacific Fleet. However, on 28...
, establishing the Fleet Marine Force, Western Pacific (FMFWestPac).
Naval Personnel in the Fleet Marine Forces
For service in the Fleet Marine Force, the United States Department of the NavyUnited States Department of the Navy
The Department of the Navy of the United States of America was established by an Act of Congress on 30 April 1798, to provide a government organizational structure to the United States Navy and, from 1834 onwards, for the United States Marine Corps, and when directed by the President, of the...
issues the FMF Enlisted Warfare Specialist Insignia and the FMF Qualified Officer Insignia (formerly, the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
Correctly, the Navy Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, is a decoration of the United States Navy established in 1984 by Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman, Jr. It was awarded to eligible Navy personnel serving with the Marines between 1984 and 2006...
was issued). Naval Fleet Marine Force personnel, usually Corpsmen or Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers who participate in amphibious assaults
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
, are also eligible to receive the FMF Combat Operations Insignia to certain service medals and ribbons. Such Naval personnel are authorized to wear the Marine Corps utility uniform with Navy insignia, and must conform to all physical requirements of the U.S. Marines.
See also
- Naval Expeditionary Combat Command
- 1st Naval Construction Division
- United States Navy Hospital CorpsmanUnited States Navy Hospital CorpsmanA Hospital Corpsman is an enlisted medical specialist for the United States Navy who serves with Navy and United States Marine Corps units. The Hospital Corpsman works in a wide variety of capacities and locations, including shore establishments such as naval hospitals and clinics, aboard ships,...
- Marine Air-Ground Task Force Reconnaissance
- United States Navy Amphibious Reconnaissance CorpsmanUnited States Navy Amphibious Reconnaissance CorpsmanThe Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsmen are corpsmen that provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force reconnaissance teams advanced trauma management associated with combatant diving and parachute entry...
External links
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1989/SJH.htm
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1995/MJS.htm