Approximately how many personnel make up an MEB?

• A. Approximately 3,000 to 20,000 personnel
• B. Approximately 100 to 500 personnel
• C. Approximately 40,000 to 60,000 personnel
• D. Approximately 2,000 to 4,000 personnel

Answer: (A)

The size of a MEB is that of a brigade-sized, self-contained expeditionary force. It combines infantry, artillery, engineers, logistics, and aviation elements under one command so it can operate with a degree of independence. That places it between a Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is smaller (around a couple thousand to a few thousand personnel), and a Marine Expeditionary Force, which is much larger (tens of thousands). The typical range for a MEB is about 3,000 to 20,000 personnel, with the exact number varying by mission and configuration. So the best approximate answer reflects a mid-sized force, roughly three thousand to twenty thousand.