View Full Version : USMC Recapture Tactics Teams
This unsung group of Marines are tasked with the recapture of compromised Nuclear assets. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity of serving on a team during my enlistment. There is little written about them and what has been is generally not up to date.
Our British Royal Marine Counterparts are known as Commando 43 Force Protection Group, or FPG.
Recapture Tactics Teams (RTT) falls under the purview of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment and are assigned to one of two teams, and are stationed at U.S. Navy Nuclear Weapon Instillations as a permanent security force.
RTT specializes in responding to security threats, guarding key individuals, escorting contractors, recapturing property, personnel, and materials.
RTT squads are composed of three elements:
Shooters: Trained in Close Quarters Battle (CQB)
Breachers: Skilled in various methods of entry, including using explosives
Designated Marksmen: Armed with M110 Sniper Rifles, these Marines act as Guardian Angels for the Shooters and Breachers.
Training:
To become a member of RTT, volunteers must complete a 2 week selection process, or indoc. known as "Spin-Up's". Spin-Ups consisting of mental and physical conditioning, weapons familiarization and exstensive dry fire training. Distance runs, gas mask runs, full gear runs, knowledge transfer under duress etc.
After passing Spin-Ups the Marines await orders to their school.
CQB School is located in Chesapeake VA 7 weeks long.
Successful graduates will average about 10,000 rounds of ammunition fired in 3 weeks through the M4A1, M9A1, & M1014 combined. The remaining balance is spent learning individual and team tactics, deliberate and dynamic clears.
(After passing this course and being assigned to a team a select few "Shooters" will be sent to the MOE
(Method of Entry) School in Quantico, VA.)
DM School (Designated Marksman) located in Little Creek VA. 3-5 weeks long.
Students will qualify on the M-110 Sniper Rifle, learn the basics of rangefinding, precision fire, shooting moving targets, supporting Direct Action Assaults, lowlight engagements, camouflage, and unknown distance shooting.
Below are some photos of RTT Marines, Royal Marines as well as other U.S. Marines units conducting similar training or exercises.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/d7af3b6e4219e908367cc4a580a666be.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/cabf4dd52e7708728262a3af52c5f686.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/8aa8849b053f2d735740b136b3a3e419.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/453765d41f7342432322ae2fb1cda74a.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/495a56d581c5a35a7db8f151e84de7aa.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/5a91e594e06c3808e72a4336916d776d.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/0c8c55856e3167203e3ab19108e0f99a.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/99cfd80788f64936627ae0ce8703338d.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/3a23714b37d5c6c7d822285264694fe2.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/5838b8aef929f6c6677aaf625f4799c1.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/4e0666fae84a7cab345340f19aa1ad42.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/4799548fb45cfad652cc9ba961efa1c6.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/db65216a6f838852da9c829193535129.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/75058b864151d721824482c39a0bd4b0.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/f5c5915a0eb1c832a1c46916ab53bad8.jpg
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
I'm glad in glad these guys are out there and hopefully bored because I really hate the thought of compromised nuclear anything.
Great write up and thank you for your service!
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/d7ca59f70f9eeea0d0ba9d272bf3572f.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/c036c1c4633566b04acd7651126f936b.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/57f797a9223eb226ed8d3f4219ab808f.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/10403dab6efae846d0ac580387fca9e0.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/f8c2fbc44146297728ccc43019d81a8f.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/458dd8305176221684515081083d5cd1.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/f36be7590db34cceae8ab4012df16ca2.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/e6204ee612110bbc06bf84bcb0335d3a.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/a5b0b24ef7c925261f2ddd60c203ef09.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/39ab4fa46c9ddc2ead1a4dd53bfc284f.jpg
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
I'm glad in glad these guys are out there and hopefully bored because I really hate the thought of compromised nuclear anything.
Great write up and thank you for your service!
When your Squad is on duty yeah it's pretty much the most mind numbingly boring thing in the world...except for being a regular Guard Force Marine. The schedules were pretty relaxed when I was in and aside from some minor incidents nothing happened that required the actual use of force.
But the weeks off, ranges, PT, and the comraderie with your team mates were both unsurpassed and unequaled anywhere else I have been.
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
ColoradoTJ
06-19-2016, 06:53
Glad you guys are on our team. Thanks for serving and posting.
Sound pretty neat. Do a lot of guys transition to Dept Energy security jobs when they get out?
Sound pretty neat. Do a lot of guys transition to Dept Energy security jobs when they get out?
After finishing our tour of duty on a Team a few went Snipers, MARSOC, Recon etc. most of us just went to the fleet as Fire Team Leaders, Squad Leaders, Designated Marksmen, Rifleman etc.
I have a couple buddy's that went PMC embassy security, a couple that went DOE OST Federal Agents.
Medal of Honor Recipient Cpl. Dunham was on an RTT stationed at Kingsbay GA. Although I haven't been able to confirm what his position was.
We all grated under not being able to forward deploy On VBSS, A Direct Action Force, or as trailers for MRF's. (Royal Marine FPG's deploy in that capacity)
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/540900f1de15bde68e2e4102541712bb.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/f8d0ab3b4a96df2b5ec5d94e5ffdcc55.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/c3810a4a2d1229f05cf37479b699285a.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/d0e5bbcd86611c690b7f9b5136e2b428.jpg
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/3e5d0e09b54bae0b4960d0f1a424bad6.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/59a86903b8ef5a183e6015d2c775b696.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/778439d22b9b59637dc17cbe1e506612.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/140e00657e3be08ebaa449e37edbdebf.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160619/f15947c62e93fc3affbff2b4686e8448.jpg
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
A better write up than I originally posted.
The Recapture Tactics Team or RTT specializes in SWAT/SRT type procedures although they are not MP's, as the 2 weeks of U.S. Army SRT School is not seen as being adequate to their mission profile. RTT units are attached to Nuclear Weapon Stations aboard US Naval installations and do not deploy. Where as FAST Platoons deploy to areas in need of naval security operations, RTT has no need to deploy because they are already prepositioned in the appropriate strategic locations where they are most needed.
Marines and Sailors assigned to Naval Nuclear Weapons Stations are given an opportunity, if the Command allows them, to try out for RTT, which is colloquially referred to within the nuclear commands as simply "CQB Platoon," or just "CQB."
Typically, only a small fraction of the Marines and Sailors who are permitted to try out for CQB Platoon are actually selected from the grueling 2 week selection process. Those who are selected then have a tactical spin-up (a period of intensive preparatory training,) in which the CQB Platoon's current Operators help to get the newly selected candidates ready for the 3rd hardest tactical school in the United States Marine Corps.
If they successfully complete spin-up, the RTT candidates then report to USMC CQB School where they undergo an intensive 7 week advanced combat marksmanship and dynamic assault course, during which, in-extreme hostage rescues & counter-nuclear proliferation are heavily emphasized. The Marines and Sailors learn to violently recapture, and take back by force, United States personnel and property that has been stolen or otherwise compromised.
If they pass the nearly 2 month long USMC CQB school, (80% don't), they will have officially earned the 8154 MOS, and they then go back to their Naval Nuclear Weapons Command where they spend several more weeks "testing out" by the platoon as new Shooters. Upon successfully completing that phase, the candidates are formally admitted onto the Recapture Tactics Team as "Shooters"
All RTT Shooters must attend the following schools to obtain the appropriate certifications:
Marine Corps Basic Training - 13 weeks long.
Marine Corps School of Infantry, Infantry Training Battalion (SOI-ITB) - 9 weeks long. MOS: 0311, 0331, 0341, 0351, or 0352.
Basic Security Guard (Marine Corps Security Guard Anti-Terrorism Training) - 7 weeks long. MOS: 8152
Close Quarter Battle School - 7 weeks long (not including platoon tryouts, spin-ups and the post-Schoolhouse breaking in period.) MOS: 8154
And are eligible to attend the following courses, pending their command's approval:
Designated Marksman Course (Most DM'S are not shooters, those that are, are known as double threats)
Methods of Entry or MOE: small unit demolition and door breaching tactics. (All Breachers are 8154's first. Very few are "triple threats", Shooter, DM and Breacher qualified.
High Risk Personnel also known as executive protection, similar to protective services detail, the military version of Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Interservice Nonlethal Individual WeaponsInstructor Course and other riot control techniques
Helicopter and Rope Suspension Techniques Master Course, aka H.R.S.T., fromSpecial Operations Training Group: This course focuses on how to properly rappel down structures and out of helicopter, fast rope out of helicopter, use Special Purpose Insertion and Extraction SPIE rigging and how to rig these systems to an aircraft with the proper gear for safe tactical operations.
The Marine Corps Security Forces Close Quarters Battle Teams also go to various installations as Mobile Training Teams to teach CQB to units such as but are not limited to: military police special reaction teams, other military branches (both foreign and domestic), and law enforcement organizations (federal, state, and local).
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
Thank you for your service and sharing.
I have to admit, when I first read the title of the thread I thought your motto should be "Easy on humans, Tough on Bots."
https://www.google.com/recaptcha/intro/index.html
HoneyBadger
06-19-2016, 16:56
Thanks for sharing part of your story. A very important job, no doubt.
https://youtu.be/nuczktfzDbA
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160708/889fac0cc2ed3537e270494ce1ed1442.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160708/0626383b5a8279466ecd75852b54b9b6.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160708/417e6c1b30eaf600a878fa9a438bc17d.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160708/1e022efecbc47f94b2664cce4161c012.jpg
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
https://youtu.be/RnOI-zCwwis
https://youtu.be/IGe813WLRuE
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
https://youtu.be/5_Th6g5oEvA
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
https://youtu.be/QvRfmX4JtcM
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160712/0f5ed3dce671d01215edf02147632740.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160712/c7c3905c5fcd4b8cdeb07210e5ff16fa.jpg
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/cb58dd54e5d2728b31722777eb3a1cc4.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/4516e3d0b637017c4a354c09e894c4cd.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/f733e00949a7639c6b52dfa002431fb6.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/962fb8664003522113d9e3745066d6ff.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/880b950180c905472fc6deb62ad36947.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/1c4f62297a9d5fda4b99e7c33433946e.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/2418e55626c07f2ab24b4293fe7b57b5.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/fabee9e727fc1567b67c4fbd529345be.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/a3163c296fe91dad8e096027632e3787.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/c700326fd951fb2b26af47361b4663c1.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/8a4f664c8e3b576942b03d948acd5756.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/e35a4359f23c1d2c566e15409aaee1a4.jpg
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
The training looks fun, but from my time at naval base kitsap/bangor I can tell you that those guys that I saw looked bored to death every time I saw them.
The training looks fun, but from my time at naval base kitsap/bangor I can tell you that those guys that I saw looked bored to death every time I saw them.
It's truly mind numbing but it beats the alternative of Guard Force.
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
https://youtu.be/uFxzD-o6ufQ
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi
https://youtu.be/cYIyslw9djU
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
OtterbatHellcat
10-22-2017, 11:34
That's cool stuff...can't say I liked the gansta rap soundtrack in that last one.
Same here. The gear, and training have gotten better, but whoever picked the music would have gotten hazed! Needs more AC/DC, Five Finger Death Punch, or Metallica IMO.
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
JohnnyDrama
10-22-2017, 21:15
knowledge transfer under duress
So that's what that was called....
Nice write up.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.