How Are the Marines Organized?

Marine Corps Organization

The Marines are organized into teams, squads, platoons, companies, battalions, regiments, divisions, wings, and air groups.

Marine Squad Structure

The platoons consist of 43 Marines who are led by a Sergeant.

Marine Expeditionary Unit

The MEU, Commanded by a Marine Colonel, is comprised of about 2,200 Marines and Sailors.

Marine Unit Structure

Marine Corps forces vary in the organization depending on the needs and manpower of a unit.

Marine Squad Composition

Since 1944, the squad has consisted of 3 fire teams of 4 men each and a squad leader.

Marine Corps Purpose

The modern Marine Corps is focused on “force projection;” specifically, the projection of U.S. military power from Navy ships onto hostile landing areas.

Marine Division Detail

A Marine division has approximately 23,000 personnel.

Locations of 4th Marines

The 4th Marine Regiment is based at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan.

Marine Division Headquarters

  1. 1st Marine Division – Headquarters: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton California
  2. 2nd Marine Division – Headquarters: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune North Carolina
  3. 3rd Marine Division – Headquarters: Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan
  4. 4th Marine Division – Headquarters: Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana

Marine Corps First Division

The First Marine Division was one of the first two division-sized units ever formed by the Corps.

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