CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa — A Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command team Friday wrapped up its first visit to Okinawa, screening fitness and swimming abilities of 12 candidates seeking to become a part of the outfit.

The Corps was directed in 2005 to create a special operations unit for U.S. Special Operations Command. MARSOC was established in February 2006 at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and the unit expects to reach its end-strength goal of 2,500 by October, according to its Web site.

The unit is currently about 78 percent staffed and has teams already performing the mission, said Gunnery Sgt. Oscar Trujillo, 34, the command’s noncommissioned officer in charge of recruiting.

Okinawa Marines from a range of military specialties asked about joining the command, but MARSOC is currently accepting only combat arms Marines for operative positions, he said.

.... 'We’re looking for determination, the never-quit attitude, a willingness of that Marine to push himself beyond his limits and an ability to adapt and overcome, because MARSOC Marines will be out there in austere conditions … unafraid, alone, and they’re it,' he said.