A Rifle Marine may employ the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, the M320 grenade launcher, AT4 and LAW rockets.  Rifle Marines are the primary scouts, assault troops, and close combat forces available to the Marine Air Ground Task Force.

They are the foundation of the Marine infantry organization, and as such are the nucleus of the fire team in the rifle squad, the scout team in the LAR squad, scout snipers in the infantry battalion, and reconnaissance or assault team in the reconnaissance units.  Noncommissioned officers are assigned as fire team leaders, scout team leaders, rifle squad leaders, or rifle platoon guides.

The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or to repel the enemy's assault by fire and close combat.

The Machine Gunner is responsible for the tactical employment of the 7.62 mm Medium Machine-Gun, the 50 cal., and 40mm Heavy Machine-Gun, and their support vehicle. Machine Gunners provide direct fire in support of the Infantry Rifle squads/platoons/companies. They are located in the weapons platoons of the rifle and weapons company in the infantry battalion. Noncommissioned Officers are assigned as team leaders and squad leaders/section leaders.

Mortar Marines are responsible for the tactical employment of the 60mm Light Mortar and 81mm Medium Mortar. Mortar Marines provide indirect fire in support of the rifle and LAR squads/platoons/companies and the infantry and LAR battalions. They are located in the weapons platoon of the Rifle Companies, 81mm Mortar Platoons of the Weapons Companies and LAR Companies. Noncommissioned Officers are assigned as Mortar Gunners, Forward Observers, Fire Direction Plotters, and squad and section leaders.

The Anti-tank Missile Gunner is responsible for the tactical employment of the TOW2 Weapon System, Javelin Weapons System, Anti-Armor Operations, and Tactical Vehicle Operations. They provide medium and heavy anti-armor fire in support of the infantry battalion, LAR battalion, tank battalion, and the MAGTF.

They are located in the anti-armor platoon within the weapons company of the infantry battalions and LAR battalions, the scout and antitank platoons of the tank battalions; and the scout and anti-tank platoon in H&S Co 4th Tank Battalion (MARFORRES). Noncommissioned Officers are assigned as Gunners and squad leaders.