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The Marine Forces (MARFOR) Atlantic and Pacific are organized as Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTF) and are employed either as a component of naval expeditionary forces or as part of joint or combined forces.

From 1933 to 1994, the Marines assigned to fleets were designated the Fleet Marine Force (FMF); they provided the tactical and support organizations for amphibious operations. Following Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the term FMF was replaced by Marine Forces.

The Marine Corps is a “combined arms” force possessing armor and heavy artillery, infantry units, and a large tactical air arm, including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It is the only such service with its own air arm, except for a small number of helicopters and light fixed-wing aircraft flown by the British and Russian marines.

The Marine Corps is organized into three ground divisions and three aircraft wings (this strength is specified in legislation, the only service with this peculiarity), with a large combat support force formed into three service support groups. The Marine Corps Reserve consists of an additional divisional, aircraft wing and support group. Since the start of World War Two, the USMC has followed a basic triangular organization, with each division having three infantry regiments, plus and artillery regiment; each infantry regiment having three battalions and each battalion having three rifle companies and a weapons company.

A “typical” Marine Division has three infantry regiments (each with 3,747 USMC/272 USN). Each of the three battalions has a strength of 903 Marines and 69 sailors. The artillery regiment has 3,168 Marines and 88 sailors divided into four artillery battalions (588 USMC/18 USN ea). Supporting forces consist of an tank battalion (801 USMC/32 USN), a assault amphibian battalion (1,410 USMC/24 USN), a combat engineer battalion (860 USMC/28 USN), a light armored reconnaissance battalion (763 USMC/69 USN) and a headquarters battalion (1,348 USMC/49 USN).

The three Marine artillery regiments were reorganized in late 1992, with each regiment assigned three or four direct support battalions, and each battalion having three batteries, each of six M-198 155mm towed howitzers. In the mid-1990s, the regiments were reorganized to better support MEU deployments; two regiments having four battalions each and the third with only two battalions.

In addition to the 155mm howitzers, each MEF has available 48 M-101A1 105mm towed howitzers for use in special contingencies where the 16,000-pound (7,258kg) M-198s are not suitable. Currently, the Marines retain the M-198 howitzer until they receive the M-777 155mm lightweight howitzer, which weighs less than 9,000-pounds (4,082kg).

In addition, the Marines are acquiring the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). This consists of a five-ton truck and carries a six pack of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) rockets. The HIMARS system was originally deployed in 1983 with the U.S. Army and several other nations. The Marine Corps, which earlier rejected the MLRS, will field one battery in 2006, with one active battalion and one reserve battalion planned to enter service in 2007.

Today, Marine divisions and air wings are considered primarily as an administrative structure, as Marine units deploy in MAGTF formations.
Marine divisions have minimal organic combat support. What they have is provided by a Force Service Support Group (FSSG) assigned to each division/wing MEF or to four MEUs simultaneously. Each FSSG has a nominal strength of 7,951 Marines and 1,208 Navy personnel. The Marine Corps does not have medical, dental or chaplain personnel, but relies on the Navy to provide these services. Navy personnel are fully integrated into Marine units and, when in the field, dress in Marine Uniform.

The FSSG consists of a headquarters & service battalion (1,503 USMC/115 USN), a maintenance battalion (1,666 USMC/4 USN), a supply battalion (1,262 USMC/87 USN), a motor transport battalion (944 USMC), a engineer support battalion (1,452 USMC, 23 USN, a landing support battalion (909 USMC/2 USN), a medical battalion (211 USMC, 761 USN) and a dental battalion (6 USMC, 228 USN).