Raiders?

[ThurstonHowell]

Ran into a marine recently that was telling me the Marines were forming a group called Raiders. I even saw a RIB with "Marine Raiders" stenciled on the side, but didn't know if that was just a recon boat for "raiding". The guy even told me they would have some SOCOM connections if i remember correctly which seems odd since the marines already have a new SOCOM unit working with the Teams. Anyway I have a great uncle that was a raider in WWII, and would love to know if this guys info was legit. Thanks in advance for your time.

Thurston Howell.

[SGTROCK]

Doesnt sound right and havent heard anything of the sort,but stranger things have been known to happen. MARDET-1 trains with SEALs as do FR. FR also works with other units but so do Infantry Marines. If this Marine did know any scoop on this unit and had anything to do with it he wouldnt be spouting off at the mouth and if he is a Marine he probably is a pogue who knows nothing about combat arms operations.

SGTROCK

[ReconTommy]

Here is something interesting, I believe a RIB is a utility boat for training(drove one with the orange pontoons). Zodiacs and Rigid Raiders were the boats I trained on in my time, During the training cycle(coxswain) a few of us Recon boys were teamed up with group of people getting ready for a MEUSOC float. I think the may have refered themselves as Raiders, High speed beach landing stuff. Anyways, we left at about 5 weeks while their training cycle continued. Early 90's here, so things today maybe very different, as well as the much earlier years. The raiding stuff was done by regular Infantry(Special...Official....Commando's, no pun intended), not Recon. So, He was probably right if doctrine has not changed.

The training was done at the SEALS barracks, neat to watch the class cycles from the thrid floor. I may need to back off, not sure if this is common knowledge.


Bonafide pump jet tester here.
Q back: Did the pump jets make into service, a single 35hp almost broke are backs trying to land, duals did a little better. :)

To Rock, not FR familier(water ops), so your raids would probably be different, these guys were being trained to do a company sized landing with Zod's.

[SGTROCK]

Tom, in my day all water ops insertion(raid) boats were IBS(inflattable boat,small). The CO had his own Boston Whaler that he would putt-putt around in. When in the Gulf I would go out on Vessel Interdiction operations and those were always called Sea Foxes.I always thought they were PBR's though. There is a lot of different equipment out now that I have no idea what it's called,I guess Im just getting old.

ROCK

[ReconTommy]

Wow, major difference, even in the Rangers we would push a boat out of a Ch47 that had a CO2 pull cartridge to auto inflate, wood boards and a nice engine cover to reduce niose and radar sig(late 80's). That was the day of an unlimited budget. I have to say that I'm guilty of the Ranger DX system, Had a bud who rolled over our frames (Mountain rucks) with his pickup so we could get knew ones for a GI Inspection. Not to mention 9 sets of jungles, 3 pairs(maybe 2) of jungle boots, a wooly bear suit, light and heavy gortex, gortex sleeping bag, gortex socks,and about another grand of gear plus Jonny gofast shoes(never figured that one out..... good for water jumps).

Naw, didn't trash the other stuff, just the frame.


The only time I saw the IBS was when I was at Coxswain school, SEALS were using them to train.

Never been on a Sea Fox, must be a good ride. Probably just like the old Gunjeep system (Ranger) compared to a Humvee.
Rigid Raiders are backbreakers while sitting on that dam inflatable grey cushion in a sea state 3. As always, envy.

Mobil Recon during Gulf 1, you know the story.

[LordAfflicted]

You were a Ranger AND a Reconaissance Marine? If this is so, may I shoot you an e-mail?

[ReconTommy]

You were a Ranger AND a Reconaissance Marine? If this is so, may I shoot you an e-mail?



Any time, but I'm slightly polluted being a liberal. It's your choice.