Marine River Detachment

• Origins in Vietnam: The concept of riverine operations in the U.S. military traces back to the Vietnam War, where Marine and Navy units patrolled rivers to counter Viet Cong movements. • Modern Mission: The Marine Riverine Detachment (MRD) is tasked with supporting riverine and littoral (near-shore) operations, often alongside the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard. • Training Hub: The MRD is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, which offers unique riverine environments for realistic training exercises. • Specialized Watercraft: The unit operates specialized vessels such as Small Unit Riverine Craft (SURC) and Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) for patrols and insertions. • Integrated with Expeditionary Units: Marines from the detachment are often attached to Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) to provide riverine capability during deployments. • Joint Operations: The MRD frequently trains with U.S. Navy Riverine Squadrons and SEAL teams, emphasizing interoperability and joint mission success. • Combat Skills: Marines in the detachment receive advanced training in navigation, small boat handling, boarding procedures, and amphibious assault tactics. • Disaster Response: The MRD has been called upon for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, using its watercraft to reach flooded or isolated communities. • Historical Nickname: Riverine Marines are sometimes referred to as “Brown Water Marines,” a nod to the “brown water navy” of the Vietnam era that operated in shallow rivers and deltas. • Heritage and Spirit: The detachment upholds the Marine Corps’ tradition of adaptability by mastering operations in some of the world’s most challenging and unpredictable environments—rivers and coastal zones.