DUTP. USMC RECOM IN "THE ROCK"

"Welcome to The Rock.” What better phrase to start an article about the movie starring three legends: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris? Even though this movie was released a long time ago, back in 1996, it would be hard to find someone who hasn’t seen this incredible action film that takes place in the abandoned maximum-security prison known as “The Rock.”

THE MOVIE

This movie tells the story of the rescue of 81 hostages held in the legendary maximum-security prison of Alcatraz (known as “The Rock” for being impenetrable). The villains? A group of USMC Recon Marines led by General Hummel (Ed Harris), a veteran and war hero. Tired of seeing the government tarnish the memory of special forces soldiers killed in action and neglect their families, Hummel raids a naval arsenal, steals 15 missiles armed with VX nerve gas, and threatens to fire them at San Francisco unless he is paid $100 million for the families of the fallen.

To free the hostages, after an entire SEAL team is wiped out, the authorities are forced to rely on an FBI lab rat, Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), and the only man who ever escaped from Alcatraz: British agent John Mason (Sean Connery), who was captured in the 1960s after spying for the British government and stealing microfilms containing the darkest secrets of the U.S., such as the Roswell aliens, the JFK assassination, and more.

FUN FACTS

In the movie, Mason (Sean Connery) was a British secret agent, which is interesting since Connery famously played James Bond for over 20 years (7 films).

Also, the director, Michael Bay, dreamed of directing a James Bond movie with the legendary Sean Connery, so this project was a subtle way for him to fulfill that dream, as everything about the character John Patrick Mason resembles James Bond in his glory days.

USMC RECON

The Marines who storm “The Rock” are mostly Recon Marines, part of the reconnaissance unit trained for special operations, which is now known as MARSOC.

They undergo intense training and are skilled in SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape), infiltration, insertion, and extraction by various means, whether by land, sea, or air. They are also trained in combat diving and HALO/HAHO jumps.

They are proficient in combat techniques and tactics in CQB (Close Quarters Battle), urban areas, and all types of terrain and weather, making them the Marine Corps' special forces.

Their primary missions include:

Green Operations or Key Hole: These are deep reconnaissance missions within enemy territory to gather intelligence, identify enemy movements, activities, and targets, and report back to command. They also perform terrain reconnaissance, such as beaches and ports, for potential landings or troop movements by Marine Corps divisions.

Black Operations (Direct Action or Sting Ray): These focus on direct assaults on targets, including missions to eliminate targets, assault and secure gas or oil platforms (GOPLAT), and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) missions on ships during Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO).

Gear for Green Operations is lightweight, with RRV-type load-bearing vests, boonie hats, and caps. These missions involve several days of movement and observation within enemy territory. In contrast, Black Operations gear is heavier, using fragmentation or ballistic protection vests and Kevlar helmets.

The Marines in this movie wear the BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) in Urban camo, which appeared in 1990 as a modification of woodland camo but in black, white, and two shades of gray. This uniform has never been officially used by any U.S. military branch, although it has been unofficially worn by special forces units and SWAT teams in urban or snowy areas.

Their headgear is the iconic USMC peaked cap in Urban camo or the black commando hat. Along with black Magnum Classic or Jungle boots, the loadout is completed with a black undershirt.

Their gear includes lightweight black vests from ABA (American Body Armor), BLACKHAWK OMEGA, and LBV (Load Bearing Vest). On the black LCI belt, they carry a thigh holster with an adjustable tornado design for various pistols and accessories like flashlights or lasers.

WEAPONS

The weaponry consists mainly of Colt XM177 E1, XM177 E2, and M16 A1 assault rifles with M16A2 handguards. Some of these are equipped with M203 grenade launchers or Cobray CM203 37mm flare launchers, a less destructive and cheaper civilian version often used in movies because of its similarity and fewer paperwork requirements. We also see the RM Equipment M203PI, a way to use the M203 without attaching it to a rifle.

For handguns, the main choice is the Beretta 92FS, but we also see more unique models like the Smith & Wesson 4506, used by Capt. Frye (Gregory Sporleder), and the rare Colt MK IV Series 80 wielded by the main villain, General Hummel. Tranquilizer dart guns, such as the Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector, are also seen during the Recon Marines’ assault on The Rock.

Other weapons seen in the movie include the Mossberg 590 Combat Shotgun, DefTech 37mm multi-grenade launcher, M60E3 machine gun, and the impressive LAR Grizzly Big-Boar sniper rifle. Hand grenades like the M26 and M18 smoke grenades also make appearances, along with the iconic Ka-bar combat knife to round out the list.