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Marine Special Operations Officers (SOOs) graduating MARSOC’s ITC will be assigned a new Primary Military Occupational Specialty, clearing the way for retention and promotion in a professional career path. Previously, only enlisted Marines designated as Critical Skills Operators (CSOs) were awarded a PMOS of 0372, while SOOs were awarded an Additional Military Occupational Specialty of 0370. The decision now allows SOOs to hold 0370 as a PMOS, and be managed with a development strategy that facilitates talent management of Special Operations Forces skills, standardized training, retention, promotions, command, professional military education and career progression, according to Maj. Gen Clark, the MARSOC commander.“Approval of the PMOS allows the Marine Corps the ability to develop Marine Special Operations Officers (SOOs), over a course of a career, as both fully proficient special operations professionals and well-rounded Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force officers,” said Clark. - Marine Special Operations Officers (SOOs) graduating MARSOC’s ITC will be assigned a new Primary Military Occupational Specialty, clearing the way for retention and promotion in a professional career path. Previously, only enlisted Marines designated as Critical Skills Operators (CSOs) were awarded a PMOS of 0372, while SOOs were awarded an Additional Military Occupational Specialty of 0370. The decision now allows SOOs to hold 0370 as a PMOS, and be managed with a development strategy that facilitates talent management of Special Operations Forces skills, standardized training, retention, promotions, command, professional military education and career progression, according to Maj. Gen Clark, the MARSOC commander.“Approval of the PMOS allows the Marine Corps the ability to develop Marine Special Operations Officers (SOOs), over a course of a career, as both fully proficient special operations professionals and well-rounded Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force officers,” said Clark.

Sergeant Maj. Thomas A. Hall Jr., (left), former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, (MARSOC), Sgt. Maj. John W. Scott (middle), sergeant major of MARSOC, and Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark (right), commander of MARSOC, salute the national ensign during a relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at Stone Bay, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 27. - Sergeant Maj. Thomas A. Hall Jr., (left), former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, (MARSOC), Sgt. Maj. John W. Scott (middle), sergeant major of MARSOC, and Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark (right), commander of MARSOC, salute the national ensign during a relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at Stone Bay, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 27.

Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Gifford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the highest decoration bestowed by the Department of the Navy and second highest decoration for valor, during a ceremony at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 17. General John M. Paxton, Jr., the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, and Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark, commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, spoke during the ceremony and then presented the award to Gifford’s wife and children. “Acts of extraordinary heroism, those of conspicuous gallantry, are acts that cannot be planned, ordered or demanded. They are acts given fully and willingly by a person without regard to themselves; they are acts done for the man to their left, and the man to their right and for the mission” said Clark. “Today we are here to honor such a man.” - Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Gifford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the highest decoration bestowed by the Department of the Navy and second highest decoration for valor, during a ceremony at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 17. General John M. Paxton, Jr., the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, and Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark, commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, spoke during the ceremony and then presented the award to Gifford’s wife and children. “Acts of extraordinary heroism, those of conspicuous gallantry, are acts that cannot be planned, ordered or demanded. They are acts given fully and willingly by a person without regard to themselves; they are acts done for the man to their left, and the man to their right and for the mission” said Clark. “Today we are here to honor such a man.”

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., (May 12, 2014) - Master Sgt. Donovan Petty, a critical skill operator with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, addressed the audience after receiving the Silver Star Medal following his award ceremony at U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command headquarters. Petty's team was engaged by insurgent personnel in Afghanistan when his actions led to the successful capture of a key insurgent leader. “This award isn’t about me; it’s about my team and their collective actions on that day. They should be receiving an award, not me,” said Petty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan A. Young) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., (May 12, 2014) - Master Sgt. Donovan Petty, a critical skill operator with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, addressed the audience after receiving the Silver Star Medal following his award ceremony at U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command headquarters. Petty's team was engaged by insurgent personnel in Afghanistan when his actions led to the successful capture of a key insurgent leader. “This award isn’t about me; it’s about my team and their collective actions on that day. They should be receiving an award, not me,” said Petty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan A. Young)

Major Gen. Mark A. Clark, commanding general of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, in conjunction with the MARSOC Foundation, hosted ‘Honor the Fallen,’ a one-of-a-kind event, April 25, at the MARSOC headquarters, to honor all Marines, sailors and civilian Marines lost at home and abroad since MARSOC’s inception. “The unconquerable spirit, spiritus invictus, words that mean something to many, words that mean everything to a few. Today is about remembering and honoring those who embraced and lived those words with the utmost passion here at MARSOC,” Clark said during the ceremony. “As our journey together continues, today is about our promise to 45 special people in our lives, that they made a difference, they mattered, that they will be remembered and will always hold a coveted place in our hearts,” said Clark. - Major Gen. Mark A. Clark, commanding general of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, in conjunction with the MARSOC Foundation, hosted ‘Honor the Fallen,’ a one-of-a-kind event, April 25, at the MARSOC headquarters, to honor all Marines, sailors and civilian Marines lost at home and abroad since MARSOC’s inception. “The unconquerable spirit, spiritus invictus, words that mean something to many, words that mean everything to a few. Today is about remembering and honoring those who embraced and lived those words with the utmost passion here at MARSOC,” Clark said during the ceremony. “As our journey together continues, today is about our promise to 45 special people in our lives, that they made a difference, they mattered, that they will be remembered and will always hold a coveted place in our hearts,” said Clark.

Gunnery Sgt. Michael Nastasi, the communications chief and Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) active duty fund drive coordinator for Marine Special Operations Support Group speaks to a crowd of Marines, sailors and civilians of the MARSOC headquarters, explaining to them the many benefits of contributing to the NMCRS. “Many moons ago when I was a PFC stationed in Okinawa, my grandfather had passed away. At that time I couldn’t afford the $1,800 plane ticket from Naha to the U.S., explained Nastasi. “The NMCRS stepped in when I really needed them the most, and helped me pay for the ticket. To this day I am grateful for their service and the assistance they provided me.” This year's drive will continue through April 15, and there is still time to donate. Allotments are the preferable method of contributing; however, cash donations are also accepted. To find out more about the NMCRS or for additional information about the drive, contact Jesey McManus at (910) 451-5584. Also, Maj. Kevin Kratzer, the 2014 NMCRS coordinator for MARSOC, can be reached at (910) 440-2733. - Gunnery Sgt. Michael Nastasi, the communications chief and Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) active duty fund drive coordinator for Marine Special Operations Support Group speaks to a crowd of Marines, sailors and civilians of the MARSOC headquarters, explaining to them the many benefits of contributing to the NMCRS. “Many moons ago when I was a PFC stationed in Okinawa, my grandfather had passed away. At that time I couldn’t afford the $1,800 plane ticket from Naha to the U.S., explained Nastasi. “The NMCRS stepped in when I really needed them the most, and helped me pay for the ticket. To this day I am grateful for their service and the assistance they provided me.” This year's drive will continue through April 15, and there is still time to donate. Allotments are the preferable method of contributing; however, cash donations are also accepted. To find out more about the NMCRS or for additional information about the drive, contact Jesey McManus at (910) 451-5584. Also, Maj. Kevin Kratzer, the 2014 NMCRS coordinator for MARSOC, can be reached at (910) 440-2733.

Dr. Author Finch, a renowned Special Operations Forces (SOF) psychologist speaks with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Marines, sailors, civilians and their families during a recent MARSOC Preservation of the Forces and Family (MPOTFF) event held here, Feb. 10, 2014. Finch, who has been practicing psychology for over 14 years, and has 11 years experience working with both the U.S. Army Rangers and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, paid a visit to MARSOC to share his inside knowledge, perspective and strategies in managing the demands placed on Marines and their families who are a part of the special operations community. - Dr. Author Finch, a renowned Special Operations Forces (SOF) psychologist speaks with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Marines, sailors, civilians and their families during a recent MARSOC Preservation of the Forces and Family (MPOTFF) event held here, Feb. 10, 2014. Finch, who has been practicing psychology for over 14 years, and has 11 years experience working with both the U.S. Army Rangers and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, paid a visit to MARSOC to share his inside knowledge, perspective and strategies in managing the demands placed on Marines and their families who are a part of the special operations community.

Photos of Staff Sgt. Sky Mote and Capt. Matthew Manoukian, were displayed in front of the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion headquarters building during a Navy Cross presentation ceremony, held at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 18, 2014. Mote and Manoukian were awarded the Navy Cross, posthumously, for their heroic and selfless actions during Operation Enduring Freedom. - Photos of Staff Sgt. Sky Mote and Capt. Matthew Manoukian, were displayed in front of the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion headquarters building during a Navy Cross presentation ceremony, held at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 18, 2014. Mote and Manoukian were awarded the Navy Cross, posthumously, for their heroic and selfless actions during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Marines with Marine Corps Special Operations Command move into position on roof top to prepare for a Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction exercise on a CH-53E aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 13, 2013. This training has helped the MARSOC MPC program in developing what will become the standard operating procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony Carter/Released) - Marines with Marine Corps Special Operations Command move into position on roof top to prepare for a Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction exercise on a CH-53E aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 13, 2013. This training has helped the MARSOC MPC program in developing what will become the standard operating procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony Carter/Released)

(Pictured left to right) Major Gen. Raymond Fox, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Brig. Gen. John Love, deputy commanding general, II MEF, and Maj. Gen. Mark Clark, commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, met at MARSOC Headquarters, Sept. 13, 2013. Clark hosted commanders from North Carolina to discuss special operations' integration in conventional forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samuel McKenzie/Released) - (Pictured left to right) Major Gen. Raymond Fox, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Brig. Gen. John Love, deputy commanding general, II MEF, and Maj. Gen. Mark Clark, commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, met at MARSOC Headquarters, Sept. 13, 2013. Clark hosted commanders from North Carolina to discuss special operations' integration in conventional forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samuel McKenzie/Released)