How many USMC Pathfinders are there?

GySgt John O'Donnell — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:18:58 -0400

During my 22 years of service in the Marine Corps I had many unique opportunities. As a Motor Transport Marine I served in every unit type there was (Infantry, Artillery, Service Support, Air Wing, and Special Operations). One opportunity given was while I served as a Fire Support Coordinator & Transportation Chief with 1st ANGLICO and deployed with 13th MEU (SOC), in which I attended Airborne, Pathfinder, and HRST Master course. Throughout the years I used my skills sets in many operational environments, but I have met very few Marines that attended and graduated from Pathfinder School, and would like to know how many of other USMC Pathfinders are out there. Does anyone have an idea?

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Aug 11 at 2015 3:24 PM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:24:34 -0400

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Aug 11 at 2015 3:29 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:29:32 -0400

Gunny, when I was in the Corps, I never even heard of such a Unit or Training? The only Pathfinder I knew was walking Point in Nam!

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Aug 11 at 2015 6:58 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:58:00 -0400

Yours sounds like a fascinating career. I believe I saw a path finder badge once, while visiting with ANGLICO in Hoi An RVN.

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Aug 11 at 2015 7:21 PM

1SG David Lopez — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:21:32 -0400

In my Pathfinder Class (1997 I believe), I do not recall any Marines. For us in the Army, a person must be both Jumpmaster and Pathfinder qualified in order to run the Parachute Drop Zones (DZ). I'm sure the Marines had to have had their own type of (Pathfinder) training in order to operate/run DZs. Good Luck in finding them. Good Topic.

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Aug 11 at 2015 9:47 PM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:47:13 -0400

In the Marine Corps we do have the requirement of being a Jumpmaster and a Pathfinder to run a DZ on your own. We also have a separate school called DZSTL for those Jumpmasters that can't attend Pathfinder School. That said, there where a times where proficiency of coordination was needed and I handled the DZ operations while a Jumpmaster stood next to me twirling his thumbs. More often than not though, I used my skill set to run LZs with multiple aircraft and sling load requirements.

Response by Capt Bob Taylor made Sep 9 at 2016 1:34 PM

Capt Bob Taylor — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 13:34:48 -0400

Hello, Gunny. I was a plain old grunt platoon leader, just out of Quantico --- yep, green as grass. My Co Commander got orders to put a 6 man team + a dog together, train, and jump into the south part of Siberia just north of Magadan, enter a gulag there, and rescue two Marines. We took a dog with us. Got the Marines. Headed for the sub. Corpsman was killed, but did the job. Last time I ever had the nerve to jump.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2017 10:09 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 May 2017 10:09:05 -0400

In MARSOC and Recon we have a very small handful. I had the "pleasure" of graduating also. I am more upset that we cannot wear the badge then I was at how hard the school was.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2017 9:47 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 21:47:52 -0400

The USMCused to have dedicated Pathfinder units. They morphed into force recon. You will notice the torch on top of the force recon patches. Today USMC personnel serve as Pathfinder school instructors and have been for many years. USMC personnel have been attending Pathfinder school since the 40s to enhance their individual and unit skills.

Response by MSgt Lt.Col.Bruce Harting,USMC made Dec 17 at 2017 1:57 PM

MSgt Lt.Col.Bruce Harting,USMC — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 13:57:27 -0500

SGT. O'Donnell,
I am one of the original East Coast (Camp Giger, NC) U.S. Marine, 2nd Force Recon Company, Pathfinder (1958) Platoon, Team #42. Under Capt. P.X. Kelly (now General Paul X. Kelly) To my knowledge, only ten of us that graduated from Army Pathfinder School are still alive.
My E-mail address: [login to see]
Lt. Col. Harting, B.F. (r)

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Dec 18 at 2017 7:16 AM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 07:16:31 -0500

Brother, the legacy of your service lived on in me and a few others. Thank you for “carrying the torch” for us to follow. Semper Fi!!!

Response by MSgt Jim Craig made Apr 3 at 2019 11:09 AM

MSgt Jim Craig — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 11:09:35 -0400

Just stumbled onto this. In 1957-58 ish we had a Pathfinder Plt under Gunny Stacy at Camp Pendleton. I do not know what the numbers were as to how many attended Pfdr course. I earned the torch back then.

Response by SSG Conley Phipps made Apr 6 at 2019 12:49 PM

SSG Conley Phipps — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 12:49:37 -0400

Gunny, A close friend of ours just passed away, Patrick A. Weed. He was a USMC Pathfinder, Airborne and Recon graduate and served in Viet Nam during the very early days, 1961. Sounds as if your paths may have crossed. Please let me know. Conley Phipps US Army 1965 Staff Sgt. E-6

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 7 at 2019 1:58 AM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 01:58:13 -0400

Before I Went Back To Okinawa in the mid 90's There Was Talk Of Bringing in more Marines To SOCOM And SF Backed Schools, To Include RANGER, Pathfinder, HALO/HAHO, O&I And A Few others …. Prior To That there Was 1 or 2 Navy SEALS And An Occasional Recon Marine Going Thru The Schools... It Would Be interesting To See How many Are Going Thru The Courses...

Response by Sgt Ken Berner made Feb 8 at 2021 3:49 PM

Sgt Ken Berner — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:49:32 -0500

Gunny, I am not a member here, but I know of two Marine pals who were in 2nd Force Recon/Pathfinders. You may contact me via e-mail, [login to see] .

Response by Sgt Ken Berner made Feb 8 at 2021 3:52 PM

Sgt Ken Berner — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:52:32 -0500

Gunny, with regards to 2nd Force Recon/Pathfinders, please contact me via e-mail: [login to see]