Marine Special Ops Patch — Embroidered Patch Always Faithful, Always Forward — Marine Special Operations From Edson's Raiders on Guadalcanal to today's Critical Skills Operators in contested environments worldwide, the Marine Corps has always produced warriors capable of operating at the highest level of special operations. This patch represents the spirit of Marine special operations — the quiet professionals who carry the legacy of America's first special operators. Marine special operations traces its lineage to the legendary Marine Raiders of World War II — Edson's 1st Raider Battalion and Carlson's 2nd Raider Battalion, formed in 1942 as the first United States special operations forces to see combat. The modern era began with MCSOCOM Detachment One in 2003, a proof-of-concept unit that deployed to Iraq with Navy SEALs and validated the Marine Corps' ability to operate in the special operations community. In February 2006, Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was established at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. On 6 August 2014, MARSOC's combat units were officially redesignated as Marine Raiders in honor of their WWII predecessors. Since 2007, Marine Raiders have conducted over 300 operational deployments across 13 countries, earning more than 300 valor awards. Perfect For: MARSOC personnel, Marine special operators, Force Recon veterans, special operations enthusiasts, and anyone who carries the Raider spirit. Always faithful. Always forward. Marine Special Operations.
