The Division reactivated the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion on 8 June 2000 but the battalion was originally activated on 1 March 1937. It now calls the Margarita(33) Area home. Before 1944 Marine Recon was primarily scout/sniper units. In April 1944 a two company amphibious reconnaissance battalion was formed with the mission of conducting beach reconnaissance and hydrographic survey. Today the Battalion performs a wide variety of tactical and special operations in support of the Division.So what I thought was a great new idea was actually a blast from the past. Putting Scout/Snipers into the role of Battalion/MEU Recon would just be a return to the way that the real old skool Marines did things.
Interesting. Surprising but interesting.