Marines

Marines
V. Zveg for the Navy Art Collection · Public domain · source
Unit name	Marines
Dates	Ancient to present
Country	Various
Branch	Naval infantry
Type	Amphibious force
Role	Expeditionary, amphibious assault, security
Size	Varies by nation
Garrison	Varies
Nickname	Marines
Motto	Varies
Colors	Varies
Anniversaries	Varies

Marines are specialized naval infantry forces established by multiple states to conduct expeditionary, amphibious, littoral, and shipboard security operations. Originating in early modern Europe and adapted through colonial expansion, these forces have been employed in naval battles, riverine campaigns, colonial policing, and modern combined-arms operations. Their development intersects with the histories of Royal Navy, United States Navy, Imperial Japanese Navy, French Navy, Spanish Navy, Dutch Navy and numerous other maritime powers.

History

Naval infantry traces its lineage to ancient and early modern units such as the Muscovite Navy mariners, the Ottoman Empire’s sea soldiers, and the shipboard contingents of the Spanish Armada and the Viking Age. In the 17th and 18th centuries, powers like the British Empire, Kingdom of France, Republic of Venice, and the Dutch Republic institutionalized embarked forces to secure warships and project power ashore, leading to formations such as the Royal Marines and the Troupes de la Marine. During the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, these forces participated in coastal raids, amphibious assaults, and river actions alongside the British Army and the United States Army. Colonial and imperial conflicts — including the Crimean War, the Opium Wars, and the Boxer Rebellion — expanded their roles in expeditionary warfare and garrison duty. The two World War I and World War II accelerated doctrinal evolution toward combined-arms amphibious doctrine used in campaigns like Gallipoli Campaign, the Pacific War, and D-Day (Normandy landings), while Cold War crises such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War further diversified missions into riverine, counterinsurgency, and security operations.

Roles and Organization

Naval infantry units are organized to perform organic ship-to-shore operations, base defense, convoy protection, and embassy or port security. Typical organizations mirror infantry combined-arms constructs with infantry battalions, reconnaissance, artillery, armor or light armored vehicles, aviation detachments, and logistics elements as seen in structures adopted by the United States Marine Corps, the Royal Marines, the Russian Naval Infantry, the South Korean Marine Corps, and the People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps. Command relationships often integrate with fleet commanders, amphibious task forces, and joint commands such as United States Indo-Pacific Command and NATO maritime commands like Allied Maritime Command. Specialized subunits undertake reconnaissance, special operations, and counterterrorism tasks akin to components within United States Special Operations Command and national special forces.

Training and Selection

Selection emphasizes physical endurance, marksmanship, amphibious skills, small-unit tactics, and sea-keeping. Training pipelines include recruit indoctrination, infantry small-unit tactics, amphibious assault courses, and advanced schools for armor, artillery, aircraft, and reconnaissance similar to curricula at Parris Island, Royal Marines Commando Training Centre, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and the École de guerre-affiliated institutions in France. Interservice and multinational exchanges occur with units from NATO, ANZUS, Five Eyes partners, and regional partners in exercises like RIMPAC, Exercise Talisman Sabre, and Joint Fury to standardize interoperability, amphibious doctrine, and ship-to-shore maneuver techniques.

Equipment and Uniforms

Equipment ranges from small arms, anti-armor weapons, and mortars to amphibious assault vehicles, landing craft, attack helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft. Typical small arms include variants of the M16 rifle, AK-47, and precision rifles used by reconnaissance elements; vehicles include the AAV7, BTR series, and modern assault craft like the LCAC and Zubr-class LCAC. Aviation support is provided by platforms such as the CH-53 Sea Stallion, MV-22 Osprey, and attack aircraft exemplified by the AV-8B Harrier II historically. Uniforms and insignia reflect naval traditions, with ceremonial dress paralleling patterns used by Royal Navy personnel, while combat uniforms follow camouflage systems like MultiCam or national patterns adopted by Bundeswehr and other services.

Operations and Deployments

Naval infantry have conducted amphibious landings, riverine warfare, urban operations, maritime interdiction, and expeditionary stabilisation. Historic operations include assaults at Portsmouth, Guadalcanal Campaign, Iwo Jima, and Tarawa, while modern deployments involve humanitarian assistance after disasters, embassy reinforcement, and multinational peacekeeping under United Nations mandates. Expeditionary readiness forces often deploy aboard amphibious assault ships such as Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and HMS Albion (L14), operate as surface component of carrier groups, and participate in coalition operations led by commands like United States Central Command and European Union Naval Force.

Notable Marine Forces and Units

Many nations maintain distinguished naval infantry formations with storied histories and distinctive capabilities: - United States Marine Corps — large expeditionary force with aviation, armor, and logistics. - Royal Marines — UK commando-capable force with Arctic and mountain warfare training. - Russian Naval Infantry — mechanized amphibious formations with heavy armor. - People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps — expanding amphibious and island-assault capability. - Republic of Korea Marine Corps — experienced in peninsula defense and amphibious raids. - Spanish Marine Infantry (Infantería de Marina) — oldest continuously serving marine corps. - French Troupes de Marine — colonial and expeditionary traditions integrated into the French Army. - Dutch Korps Mariniers — specialized in special operations and amphibious deployment. - Brazilian Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais) — riverine and Amazon-capable units. - Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade — recent formation for island defense. - Italian San Marco Marine Brigade — Mediterranean expeditionary force. - Hellenic Navy Marines (Hellenic Marines) — Aegean-focused amphibious units. - Turkish Amphibious Marines — force projection in littoral regions. - Indian Marine Commando Force (MARCO/special operations units) — littoral special operations. - Argentine Marines (Agrupación de Marines) — maritime security and expeditionary tasks.

Category:Naval infantry