What is the primary mission of the Marine Rifle Squad?

The primary mission of the Marine Rifle Squad is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver. This mission is fundamental to the Marine Corps’ role in combat, focusing on engaging the enemy force effectively through direct action. The emphasis on both fire and maneuver highlights the need for coordinated attacks that maximize the strengths of squad members while utilizing combined arms tactics. This operational approach allows the squad to adapt to various combat environments, ensuring mission success against adversaries.

In contrast, the other choices do have their own significance but do not define the primary mission of the Marine Rifle Squad. Protecting U.S. embassies pertains more to the roles of security forces and specialized units, while conducting reconnaissance missions focuses on gathering intelligence rather than engaging in direct combat. Providing humanitarian assistance, although important in broader military operations, is not the core function of a rifle squad, which is specifically trained and equipped for offensive and defensive combat operations.