(DoD) The Marine Corps standard, forward-deployed, sea-based expeditionary organization. The Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU[SOC]) is a Marine expeditionary unit, augmented with selected personnel and equipment, that is trained and equipped with an enhanced capability to conduct amphibious operations and a variety of specialized missions of limited scope and duration. These capabilities include specialized demolition, clandestine reconnaissance and surveillance, raids, in-extremis hostage recovery, and enabling operations for follow-on forces. The MEU(SOC) is not a special operations force but, when directed by the Secretary of Defense, the combatant commander, and/or other operational commander, may conduct limited special operations in extremis, when other forces are inappropriate or unavailable. Also called MEU(SOC). See also aviation combat element; combat service support element; command element; ground combat element; Marine air-ground task force; Marine expeditionary force; Marine expeditionary unit; special purpose Marine air-ground task force; task force.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
| APA | Military Dictionary (DoD). (2011). Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable). Retrieved September 28, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/marine_expeditionary_unit_(special_operations_capable)/definitions/1957533 |
| Chicago | Military Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable)" http://smartdefine.org/marine_expeditionary_unit_(special_operations_capable)/definitions/1957533 (accessed September 28, 2026). |
| Harvard | Military Dictionary (DoD) 2011, Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable), Smart Define, viewed 28 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/marine_expeditionary_unit_(special_operations_capable)/definitions/1957533>. |
| MLA | Military Dictionary (DoD). "Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable)" 4 April 2011. Web. 28 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/marine_expeditionary_unit_(special_operations_capable)/definitions/1957533> |