The Makin Raid
Generally, the Marine Corps is known for Making Marines and Winning Battles . The key to these main objectives has been ongoing since its inception during the Revolutionary War; the institution of discipline is immediately incorporated into all day-to-day activities. This is initially accomplished, as Marine recruits are isolated from all civilian interaction during the lengthy thirteen-week boot camp infusing the idea they have entered into an elite and isolated society. The idea takes its roots from the Spartans, a dominant military powerhouse in ancient Greece. This isolation is thought to make the individual believe that he suffers more than his peers, creating a bond with the people suffering with them. This bond creates an immense amount of loyalty to not only each other, but also the overall organization. In addition, the grueling training is a constant reminder that you can quit at any moment, as this is voluntary. However those who are able to adapt and overcome these rigors come to find an intense desire to endure the worst, attempting to achieve the impossible, only to prove possible. A majority
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of Marines enlist out of patriotism, however apple pie, baseball, and the American flag turn into a brotherhood filled with loyalty to the men of their left and right. The Marines of the 1st Raider battalion and future battalions later created were a result of this brotherhood. Their bond became the simple fact that they were elite and suffered more than should be expected of a professional Warfighter.
Raider training concentrated on a improving their proficiency with weapons, land navigation and geographical analysis. Additionally, the training stressed the importance of nighttime operations due to their small numbers. Raiders were taught to fight, to give no quarter, and to defeat the enemy at all costs. Equally, one of the Raiders missions they perfected was reconnaissance, which required stealth and patience. The viciousness of the U.S. Marine had to be controlled in order for reconnaissance to be effective. In training they ran and hiked with a full combat load, in order to prepare for the actual events. The training began small and worked towards multiple day hikes in excess of 70 miles. This part of the training put a large emphasis on physical endurance and fitness. In the beginning the Raider leadership mimicked the British Commandos putting a major importance on knife fighting; as they were given a Raider Stiletto. As the Raiders embraced asymmetrical, new innovative ideas began to take hold. Specifically the traditional boot was replaced with a canvas shoe with a rubber sole, which oddly resembled gym shoes. This type of shoe is still preferred amongst the current Raider community. Lastly, the Raiders were the first to don a new specialized two-piece uniform, which had reversible green and brown pronounced sides. The green pattern was for the designed for the Jungle, while the brown was to be used during beach operations.
It was during this low point that President Roosevelt looked to his military commanders hoping to boost morale of the American people.
Admiral Chester Nimitz decided towards the end of the summer in 1942, that the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion or “Carlson’s Raiders,” would conduct what would later become one of the most famous special operations missions of the entire war. The Makin Raid came about after the U.S. Navy’s defense of Midway two months prior . As Admiral Nimitz began to plan his next operation, he realized he needed a huge diversion to commit the Japanese forces in the opposite direction. The decision was the Raiders would conduct a submarine launched operation. This operation would be conducted in conjunction with Operation Cactus, better known as the Battle of Guadalcanal. The plan was aimed at delaying the advance of the Japanese
reinforcements.
Once the official orders made its way, the Raiders realized they would have less than thirty days to plan, train and execute this mission. Furthermore, Carlson was told by Admiral Nimitz, “We are short of men, short of ships, and short of planes, ” as he was notified that he would only be allotted two submarines, the Nautilus and the Argonaut and they would not be ready until two days prior to departure from Pearl Harbor Hawaii. Moreover, the submarines could only accommodate part of the Raider unit requiring 55 raiders to remain in Pearl Harbor. Due to the high risk of this operation, one of the personnel Admiral Nimitz planned to stay in Pearl Harbor was Major James Roosevelt, the President’s son. When Major Roosevelt received word of this news, he promptly called his father, as he wanted to deploy with his men. President Roosevelt called his Chief of Naval Operations and said, “Look my son’s an officer in that battalion. If he doesn’t go, no one goes. ” Roosevelt, the Raiders executive officer ended up deploying on the Argonaut.
of Marines enlist out of patriotism, however apple pie, baseball, and the American flag turn into a brotherhood filled with loyalty to the men of their left and right. The Marines of the 1st Raider battalion and future battalions later created were a result of this brotherhood. Their bond became the simple fact that they were elite and suffered more than should be expected of a professional Warfighter.
Raider training concentrated on a improving their proficiency with weapons, land navigation and geographical analysis. Additionally, the training stressed the importance of nighttime operations due to their small numbers. Raiders were taught to fight, to give no quarter, and to defeat the enemy at all costs. Equally, one of the Raiders missions they perfected was reconnaissance, which required stealth and patience. The viciousness of the U.S. Marine had to be controlled in order for reconnaissance to be effective. In training they ran and hiked with a full combat load, in order to prepare for the actual events. The training began small and worked towards multiple day hikes in excess of 70 miles. This part of the training put a large emphasis on physical endurance and fitness. In the beginning the Raider leadership mimicked the British Commandos putting a major importance on knife fighting; as they were given a Raider Stiletto. As the Raiders embraced asymmetrical, new innovative ideas began to take hold. Specifically the traditional boot was replaced with a canvas shoe with a rubber sole, which oddly resembled gym shoes. This type of shoe is still preferred amongst the current Raider community. Lastly, the Raiders were the first to don a new specialized two-piece uniform, which had reversible green and brown pronounced sides. The green pattern was for the designed for the Jungle, while the brown was to be used during beach operations.
It was during this low point that President Roosevelt looked to his military commanders hoping to boost morale of the American people.
Admiral Chester Nimitz decided towards the end of the summer in 1942, that the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion or “Carlson’s Raiders,” would conduct what would later become one of the most famous special operations missions of the entire war. The Makin Raid came about after the U.S. Navy’s defense of Midway two months prior . As Admiral Nimitz began to plan his next operation, he realized he needed a huge diversion to commit the Japanese forces in the opposite direction. The decision was the Raiders would conduct a submarine launched operation. This operation would be conducted in conjunction with Operation Cactus, better known as the Battle of Guadalcanal. The plan was aimed at delaying the advance of the Japanese
reinforcements.
Once the official orders made its way, the Raiders realized they would have less than thirty days to plan, train and execute this mission. Furthermore, Carlson was told by Admiral Nimitz, “We are short of men, short of ships, and short of planes, ” as he was notified that he would only be allotted two submarines, the Nautilus and the Argonaut and they would not be ready until two days prior to departure from Pearl Harbor Hawaii. Moreover, the submarines could only accommodate part of the Raider unit requiring 55 raiders to remain in Pearl Harbor. Due to the high risk of this operation, one of the personnel Admiral Nimitz planned to stay in Pearl Harbor was Major James Roosevelt, the President’s son. When Major Roosevelt received word of this news, he promptly called his father, as he wanted to deploy with his men. President Roosevelt called his Chief of Naval Operations and said, “Look my son’s an officer in that battalion. If he doesn’t go, no one goes. ” Roosevelt, the Raiders executive officer ended up deploying on the Argonaut.