Marine Special Operator
U.S.M. C. photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released
A Marine Special Operator, or 'Critical Skills Operator' (CSO), assigned to a Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT), 1st MSOB, pictured while on patrol in Afghanistan, 2012.
MSOTS are 15-Man units deployed from a Marine Special Operations Company (MSOC).
MSOTs carry out foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance and direct action operations.
MSOTs have been operating in Afghanistan, working alongside Afghan units, including those trained by themselves.
MSOTs are the tip of the spear of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), the United States Marine Corps element of SOCOM.
