FMF CORE 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔USMC Operating Forces - ✔✔MARFORCOM ***
MARFORPAC ***
MARSOC **
MC SecFor Rgt O6
MC EmbSecGrp O6
✔✔USMC Supporting Establishment - ✔✔MC Combat Development Command ***
MC Recruiting Command **
MARCORLOGCOM **
MC Installations Command **
MC SYSCOM *
✔✔Supporting vs Supported - ✔✔supporting provides, supported receives
4 categories but USMC typically only direct and general
✔✔COCOM (Command Authority) - ✔✔Nontransferable authority established by Title
10; exercised only by commanders of unified or specific combatant commands unless
directed otherwise by President or SecDef
-organize and employ commands and forces
-assign tasks and designate objectives
-provide authoritative direction over military operations, joint training, logistics
✔✔ADCON - ✔✔authority over subordinate or other organizations in matters of admin
and support
-organize service forces
-control resources and equipment
-manage personnel/unit logistics/individual and unit training
-readiness, (de)mobilization, disciple, and other nonoperational matters
*Secretaries may exercise this over service forces through Chiefs and Commanders
✔✔OPCON - ✔✔command authority that may be exercised by commanders at any
echelon at or below CCDR; inherent to COCOM and may be delegated
-organize and employ commands and forces
-assign tasks and designate objectives
-provide authoritative direction necessary to accomplish mission
*does not include authoritative direction for logistics or matters of admin, discipline,
internal org, or unit training
✔✔TACON - ✔✔command authority over assigned or attached forces or commands,
limited to the detailed direction and control of movements or maneuvers within the
operational area necessary to accomplish mission or tasks; inherent to OPCON and
may be delegatec
, -provides sufficient authority for controlling and directing the application of force or
tactical use of combat support assets within assigned mission or task
✔✔Direct Liaison Authority (DIRLAUTH) - ✔✔authority granted by a commander (at any
level) to a subordinate to directly consult or coordinate an action with a command or
agency within or outside the granting command
-applies more to planning than operations
-coordinating relationship, not authority to exercise command; commander remains
informed
✔✔Direct Support - ✔✔Supporting force answers directly to supported force's request
for action
EX: engineer co assigned DS mission to inf reg
-reports directly to reg cdr
-provides liaison personnel as required
-answers requests for eng support in priority from supported inf reg, its own engineer
platoons, or higher engineer HQ
✔✔General Support - ✔✔Support which is given to the supported force as a whole and
not to any particular subdivision thereof
EX: Dental Bn provides GS to MEF via base clinics (DS to mef when to Med Bn
providing dental care and triage support to CLB)
✔✔HQMC Mission and Function - ✔✔Responsible for preparing the USMC for
employment and handling all aspects of recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping
(including R&D), training, servicing, mobilizing, administering, and maintaining the
Marine Corps
✔✔Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) Mission and Function -
✔✔CDR: DC CD&I
assists the DC CD&I in the development and implementation of Marine Corps training
and education, as well as force development
✔✔MARCORSYSCOM - ✔✔CDR reports to Asst SecNav for RD&A and CMC
serves as the DoN systems command for USMC ground weapon and IT system
programs IOT equip and sustain Marine forces with full-spectrum, current, and future
expeditionary and crisis response capabilities
✔✔MAGTF in relation to JTF - ✔✔when USMC forces are assigned to JTF, there is
always a USMC service component
-USMC component commander responds to JFC in operational chain of command but
component is equipped, staffed, supported by CMC through service chain of command
✔✔USMC Operating Forces - ✔✔MARFORCOM ***
MARFORPAC ***
MARSOC **
MC SecFor Rgt O6
MC EmbSecGrp O6
✔✔USMC Supporting Establishment - ✔✔MC Combat Development Command ***
MC Recruiting Command **
MARCORLOGCOM **
MC Installations Command **
MC SYSCOM *
✔✔Supporting vs Supported - ✔✔supporting provides, supported receives
4 categories but USMC typically only direct and general
✔✔COCOM (Command Authority) - ✔✔Nontransferable authority established by Title
10; exercised only by commanders of unified or specific combatant commands unless
directed otherwise by President or SecDef
-organize and employ commands and forces
-assign tasks and designate objectives
-provide authoritative direction over military operations, joint training, logistics
✔✔ADCON - ✔✔authority over subordinate or other organizations in matters of admin
and support
-organize service forces
-control resources and equipment
-manage personnel/unit logistics/individual and unit training
-readiness, (de)mobilization, disciple, and other nonoperational matters
*Secretaries may exercise this over service forces through Chiefs and Commanders
✔✔OPCON - ✔✔command authority that may be exercised by commanders at any
echelon at or below CCDR; inherent to COCOM and may be delegated
-organize and employ commands and forces
-assign tasks and designate objectives
-provide authoritative direction necessary to accomplish mission
*does not include authoritative direction for logistics or matters of admin, discipline,
internal org, or unit training
✔✔TACON - ✔✔command authority over assigned or attached forces or commands,
limited to the detailed direction and control of movements or maneuvers within the
operational area necessary to accomplish mission or tasks; inherent to OPCON and
may be delegatec
, -provides sufficient authority for controlling and directing the application of force or
tactical use of combat support assets within assigned mission or task
✔✔Direct Liaison Authority (DIRLAUTH) - ✔✔authority granted by a commander (at any
level) to a subordinate to directly consult or coordinate an action with a command or
agency within or outside the granting command
-applies more to planning than operations
-coordinating relationship, not authority to exercise command; commander remains
informed
✔✔Direct Support - ✔✔Supporting force answers directly to supported force's request
for action
EX: engineer co assigned DS mission to inf reg
-reports directly to reg cdr
-provides liaison personnel as required
-answers requests for eng support in priority from supported inf reg, its own engineer
platoons, or higher engineer HQ
✔✔General Support - ✔✔Support which is given to the supported force as a whole and
not to any particular subdivision thereof
EX: Dental Bn provides GS to MEF via base clinics (DS to mef when to Med Bn
providing dental care and triage support to CLB)
✔✔HQMC Mission and Function - ✔✔Responsible for preparing the USMC for
employment and handling all aspects of recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping
(including R&D), training, servicing, mobilizing, administering, and maintaining the
Marine Corps
✔✔Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) Mission and Function -
✔✔CDR: DC CD&I
assists the DC CD&I in the development and implementation of Marine Corps training
and education, as well as force development
✔✔MARCORSYSCOM - ✔✔CDR reports to Asst SecNav for RD&A and CMC
serves as the DoN systems command for USMC ground weapon and IT system
programs IOT equip and sustain Marine forces with full-spectrum, current, and future
expeditionary and crisis response capabilities
✔✔MAGTF in relation to JTF - ✔✔when USMC forces are assigned to JTF, there is
always a USMC service component
-USMC component commander responds to JFC in operational chain of command but
component is equipped, staffed, supported by CMC through service chain of command
