It is part of the wider mobile assault company concept, itself an element of a marine infantry battalion.
MACs are designed to replace a conventional weapons company, being more mobile and thus more usable in mid- and high-intensity conflicts (MIC-HIC).
The units were introduced in the mid-1990s, based on the Marine Corps' combined anti-armor team (CAAT), and its critical use in Operation Desert Storm.
MAPs are mounted units, using wheeled vehicles such as Humvees and MRAPs for movement rather than conducting foot patrols.
While they are used in combat operations, the MAP and MAC are not officially designated in the Marine Corps table of organization and equipment (TO&E).