3rd Recon

The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, commonly known as 3rd Recon, is a United States Marine Corps unit established during World War II in 1943. Tasked with providing ground and amphibious reconnaissance, the battalion saw significant action in the Pacific theater and later during the Vietnam War, where it conducted deep reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions behind enemy lines. Reactivated and restructured over the decades, 3rd Recon continued to support Marine Expeditionary Forces in operations such as Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Renowned for its rigorous selection and training, 3rd Recon remains at the forefront of the Marine Corps' intelligence and surveillance capabilities.