FFAST may have been an unofficial acronym in 90-91 but according to Battalion history, the two FAST Companies weren't established until 1998. It's 1st FAST Co. and 2nd FAST Co., not FFAST. 4th MEB is going to add a 3rd FAST Co. Of course scanning in the header off of a copy of one of your PCS orders showing the acronym FFAST will clear everything up.
Initially organized as the Marine Detachment, Naval Operating base in 1920, Marine Barracks, Naval Base, Norfolk was received its formal designation in 1939. On 1 April 1987, the Barracks was commissioned as Marine Corps Security Force (MCSF) Battalion, Atlantic. The battalion exercised administrative control over MCSF Companies and Marine Detachment afloat assigned to Atlantic region. On 16 December 1993, the Battalion was again commissioned as Marine Corps Security Battalion, and assumed control of all MCSF Companies as well as the Marine Detachments. Beginning in 1998 with force reduction and realignments, several MCSF Companies and the Marine Detachments were disestablished. In their place, two Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Companies were established. These Companies provide Antiterrorism/Force Protection platoons to fleet CINCS to protect vital Naval assets. Furthermore, MCSF Battalion provides cadres of Marines to the security departments at designated Naval installations to provide training and supervision to Navy security personnel in antiterrorism and physical security.
(emphasis added)
What happened to that cheesy photo you ginned up of yourself on your profile page?
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FFAST may have been an unofficial acronym in 90-91 but according to Battalion history, the two FAST Companies weren't established until 1998."
:o) You wouldnt be trying to muddy up the water now would you?
F.F.A.S.T. at NAB was established in 1987. As for the official establishment of a F.A.S.T. Company at Yorktown, I cant speak to that. I know in the early nineties it was only a security force unit guarding Nuclear stockpiles.
I''ll quote you and the "official" site...
Initially organized as the Marine Detachment, Naval Operating base in 1920, Marine Barracks, Naval Base, Norfolk was received its formal designation in 1939. On 1 April 1987, the Barracks was commissioned as Marine Corps Security Force (MCSF) Battalion, Atlantic. The battalion exercised administrative control over MCSF Companies and Marine Detachment afloat assigned to Atlantic region[which is the "first fleet"]. On 16 December 1993, the Battalion was again commissioned as Marine Corps Security Battalion, and assumed control of all MCSF Companies as well as the Marine Detachments. Beginning in 1998 with force reduction and realignments, several MCSF Companies and the Marine Detachments were disestablished. In their place, two Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Companies were established.
[emphasis on the emphasis added.... :o)]
Now with all of that said...
F.F.A.S.T. was indeed in existence in 1987....how the Marine Corps chose to "officially" designate it, I dont know and to be brutally honest...dont really care. It is what it is...if you have chosen to waste your time trying to debunk it then have at it Gomer.
Since he has chosen to make it public record, I will post this confirming the existence of a F.A.S.T. Company at Norfolk prior to your date of 1998.
Crucify me if you'd like but I am under the distinct impression that while I was at F.F.A.S.T., 2nd F.A.S.T. was located at Pendleton and handled Security concerns for the Pacific fleet. I have looked to find a second F.A.S.T. group early on but have found none. It appears that this reorganization during the Clinton years gave responsibility for all naval security concerns over to Norfolk & Yorktown Companies.
FFAST may have been an unofficial acronym in 90-91 but according to Battalion history, the two FAST Companies weren't established until 1998. It's 1st FAST Co. and 2nd FAST Co., not FFAST.
Symantics.....what I have said, I have said.
"4th MEB is going to add a 3rd FAST Co."
Thanks for the history lesson...especially considering it has nothing to do with the point of our discussion.
"Of course scanning in the header off of a copy of one of your PCS orders showing the acronym FFAST will clear everything up."
Are you serious?
My PCS orders?
HAHAHAHA...I suppose a wannabe conspiracy theorist might still have a copy of his cook school orders...
....I however didnt maintain a shrine of useless materials confirming my service in the Corps. I dont suppose too many other "real" Marines have either.
I can however try and find my DD214.
Stand by...
I took the photo of myself down out of a personal conviction not to continue to try and identify with my service in the Corps. It represents the past and to be quite frank...I am no longer the same man anyway.
With that said...If you are wanting to check out that once, fine specimen of Marine, it is still a part of the FReeper photo album.
FFAST may have been an unofficial acronym in 90-91 but according to Battalion history, the two FAST Companies weren't established until 1998.Morning Grunts.
After spending 12 years as an 0311, from 84' to 96', I would have to say the Battalion History is incorrect. I was in 1/8 from 92' to 96' and I had a few marines from FAST (thats the acronym I remember) Company assigned to my squad. I could have been called FFAST, but I remember it as FAST Company.
As for who is right or wrong in the original argument, I don't know. I was in MSG Bn for 90' to 92', and 1/8 from 92' to 96' and only remember hearing about FAST Company.
Semper Fi,
Marine Inspector