2021 Reunion Photos

Oceanside California Camp Pendleton

Thanks to all for coming out to our 2021 Reunion!

We'll see you all at the 2022 reunion

God willing

Recon shortage: Why these elite Marines are facing a manpower crisis

By Shawn Snow and Andrea Scott

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division conduct free fall jump training from a C-130 Hercules with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 16, 2015. (Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Marine Corps)

Many former and current recon Marines have long complained about gear, morale and an overall feeling that their skillsets have been underutilized, especially over the course of America’s counterinsurgency wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Lance Cpl. Luke Kuennen/Marine Corps)

NORWAY - A U.S. Marine with 1st Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, patrols during exercise Platinum Ren at an undisclosed location, Norway, May 13, 2019. The evening patrol was conducted to acclimatize the team to the harsh Artic climate and mountainous terrain, increase interoperability within the allies and partners of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and prepare the integrated teams for their future demanding operations during Platinum Ren. Exercise Platinum Ren is a theater security cooperation training evolution held with Norwegian Coastal Ranger Commando to sustain mission essential tasks in harsh operating environments and strengthen coalition partnerships. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Tayler P. Schwamb)

THE RECON CREED

Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone
to be a Reconnaissance Marine,
I accept all challenges involved with this profession.
Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation
of those who went before me.

Exceeding beyond the limitations
set down by others shall be my goal.
Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself
to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life.
Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics --

The title of Recon Marine is my honor.

Conquering all obstacles, both large and small,
I shall never quit.
To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail.
To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure;
To overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes
to complete the mission.

On the battlefield, as in all areas of life,
I shall stand tall above the competition.
Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork,
I shall be the example
for all Marines to emulate.

Never shall I forget the principles
I accepted to become a Recon Marine.
Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart.

A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word
and achieve what others can only imagine.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion was originally activated on 1 March 1937. The Division reactivated the battalion on June 8, 2000. Before 1944, Marine reconnaissance consisted primarily of scout sniper units. In April 1944, a two-company amphibious reconnaissance battalion was formed with the mission of conducting beach reconnaissance and hydrographic survey. Today, the battalion performs a wide variety of tactical and special operations in support of the Division. The battalion is headquartered at Camp Las Flores.

Thank you to LCDR Jason Porter, 1st recon battalion Chaplain, for giving us a tour of HQ today- was awesome to see some of my dads pictures framed on the hall wall. Also for being there for my dad during his unexpected emergency surgery while attending 1st marine recon battalion reunion earlier this month. We can’t thank you enough for keeping his truck/trailer safe while we drive it back for him to Oregon.

Richelle Backer Waddell is with David & Shan Backer and Mark Waddell at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. August 20th, 2021

David & Shan Backer

Glad you could see these displays at Recon Hdqrs. Yes the picture of 1stRecon Bn area in Chulai, Vietnam was taken by me flying in on a “46” from an outpost we’d been at for a week. Chaplin Porter is really a great fit for his job. He really loves his Marines and they love him.

Thanks for shopping by today. It was a great reunions you missed a good one if you didn't go see next year.

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