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| His Majesty's Naval Service of theBritish Armed Forces |
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| Components |
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| History and future |
| Operations |
| Equipment |
| Personnel |
| Auxiliary services |
TheRoyal Marines provide the United Kingdom'samphibiousspecial operations capablecommando force,[8] one of thefive fighting arms of theRoyal Navy,[9] acompany strength sub-unit to theSpecial Forces Support Group (SFSG), landing craft crews, and the Naval Service's military bands.[10] The Royal Marines trace their origins back to the formation of the "Duke of York and Albany's maritime regiment of Foot" on 28 October 1664,[11] and the first Royal Marines Commando unit was formed atDeal inKent on 14 February 1942 and designated "The Royal Marine Commando".[12][13][14][15]
The Royal Marines have seen action across many conflicts but do not havebattle honours as such, but rather the "Great Globe itself" was chosen in 1827 byKing George IV in their place to recognise the Marines' service and successes in multiple engagements in every quarter of the world.[16] The Corps has close ties with allied marine forces, particularly theUnited States Marine Corps and theNetherlands Marine Corps.[17][18][19]
Today it consists of theUnited Kingdom Commando Force, theRoyal Marines Band Service, theCommando Training Centre and four Reserve Units.[20]
The Royal Marines trace their origins back to 28 October 1664 whenthe Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot was formed at the grounds of theHonourable Artillery Company.[11]
The 'first official' unit of English naval infantry, originally called theDuke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot and soon becoming known as theAdmiral's Regiment, was formed on 28 October 1664, with an initial strength of 1,200 infantrymen recruited from theTrained Bands of London as part of the mobilisation for theSecond Anglo-Dutch War. James (laterKing James VII & II), the Duke of York and Albany,Lord High Admiral and brother ofKing Charles II, was Captain-General of the Artillery Company, now theHonourable Artillery Company, the unit that trained the Trained Bands.[11]
It was the fifth European Marine unit formed, being preceded by theSpain'sInfantería de Marina (1537), theFanti da Mar of theRepublic of Venice (1550), thePortuguese Marine Corps (1610) andFrance'sTroupes de marine (1622). It consisted of six 200-man companies and was initially commanded by Colonel SirWilliam Killigrew with Sir Charles Lyttleton as lieutenant-colonel. Killigrew had commanded an Englishregiment in Dutch service, and many of the regiment's initial complement of officers had served there as well.[21]
TheHolland Regiment (later The Buffs) was also raised to serve at sea and both of these "Naval" regiments were paid for by theTreasurer of the Navy by Order of Council of 11 July 1665.[22]John Churchill, later the 1st Duke of Marlborough, was a famous member of this regiment. A Company ofFoot Guards served as Marines to augment the Marines of the Admiral's Regiment during the keysea battle theBattle of Solebay in 1672. The regiment was disbanded in 1689 shortly after James II wasdeposed in theGlorious Revolution.[22]
Two marine regiments of the army were raised in 1690. They were the Earl of Pembroke's and Torrington's, later Lord Berkeley's.[11] These two regiments participated in an opposed landing during theWilliamite War in Ireland atCork, Ireland on 21 September 1690 under the command of John Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough.[23]
In 1699 the marine regiments were disbanded, but they were raised again from 1702 to 1713 to fight in theWar of the Spanish Succession; their most notable contribution being thecapture of Gibraltar in 1704.[24]
On 5 April 1755,His Majesty's Marine Forces, fifty Companies in three Divisions, headquartered atChatham,Portsmouth, andPlymouth, were formed by Order of Council underAdmiralty control.[11] Initially Marinefield officer ranks were honorarysinecure positions awarded to senior Royal Navy officers. This meant that the furthest a Marine officer could advance was to lieutenant colonel. It was not until 1771 that the first Marine was promoted to colonel. This attitude persisted well into the 1800s. During the rest of the 18th century, they served in numerous landings all over the world, the most famous being thelanding at Belle Île on theBrittany coast in 1761.[11] They also served in theAmerican War of Independence, notably in theBattle of Bunker Hill led by MajorJohn Pitcairn.[25]
In 1788 a detachment of four companies of marines, under MajorRobert Ross, accompanied theFirst Fleet to protect a new colony atBotany Bay (New South Wales). Due to an error the Fleet left Portsmouth without its main supply of ammunition, and were not resupplied until the Fleet docked in Rio de Janeiro midway through the voyage.[26] Some scholars contend that the Marines deliberately spread smallpox among Australia's Indigenous population in order to protect the settlement, but this incident does not appear in contemporaneous Marine or government records and most researchers associate the disease outbreak with other causes.[27][28][29][30]
In 1802, largely at the instigation of Admiral theEarl St Vincent, they were titled theRoyal Marines by KingGeorge III. TheRoyal Marines Artillery (RMA) was formed as a separate unit in 1804 to man the artillery inbomb ketches. These had been manned by the Army'sRoyal Regiment of Artillery, but a lawsuit by a Royal Artillery officer resulted in a court decision that Army officers were not subject to Naval orders. As RMA uniforms were the blue of the Royal Regiment of Artillery they were nicknamed the "Blue Marines" and the infantry element, who wore the red uniforms of the British infantry, became known as the "Red Marines", often given the semi-derogatory nickname "Lobsters" by sailors.[31] A fourth division of the Royal Marines, headquartered atWoolwich, was formed in 1805.[32]
During theNapoleonic Wars the Royal Marines participated in everynotable naval battle on board the Royal Navy's ships and also took part in multiple amphibious actions. Marines had a dual function aboard ships of the Royal Navy in this period; routinely, they ensured the security of the ship's officers and supported their maintenance of discipline in the ship's crew, and in battle, they engaged the enemy's crews, whether firing from positions on their own ship, or fighting in boarding actions.[33] In the Caribbean theatre volunteers from freed French slaves onMarie-Galante were used to formSir Alexander Cochrane's firstCorps of Colonial Marines. These men bolstered the ranks, helping the British to hold the island until reinforcements arrived. This practice was repeated during theWar of 1812, where escaped American slaves were formed intoCochrane's secondCorps of Colonial Marines. These men were commanded by Royal Marines officers and fought alongside their regular Royal Marines counterparts at theBattle of Bladensburg.[34] Throughout the war Royal Marines units raided up and down the east coast of America including up thePenobscot River and in theChesapeake Bay. They fought in theBattle of New Orleans and later helped captureFort Bowyer in Mobile Bay in what was the last action of the war.[35]
In 1855 the infantry forces were renamed theRoyal Marines Light Infantry (RMLI). During theCrimean War in 1854 and 1855, three Royal Marines earned theVictoria Cross, two in the Crimea and one in theBaltic.[36] In 1862 the name was slightly altered toRoyal Marine Light Infantry. The Royal Navy did not fight any other ships after 1850 and became interested in landings by Naval Brigades. In these Naval Brigades, the function of the Royal Marines was to land first and act as skirmishers ahead of the sailor infantry and artillery. This skirmishing was the traditional function oflight infantry.[37] For most of their history, British Marines had been organised asfusiliers. In the rest of the 19th Century the Royal Marines served in many landings especially in theFirst andSecond Opium Wars (1839–1842 and 1856–1860) against the Chinese. These were all successful except for the landing at the Mouth of thePeiho in 1859, whereAdmiral Sir James Hope ordered a landing across extensive mud flats.[38]
The Royal Marines also played a prominent role in theBoxer Rebellion in China (1900), where a Royal Marine earned aVictoria Cross.[36]
Through much of the 18th and 19th centuries Marine officers had a lower standing status than their counterparts in the Royal Navy. A short-lived[39]effort was made in 1907, through the common entry or "Selborne scheme", to reduce the professional differences between RN and RM officers through a system of common entry that provided for an initial period of shared training.[40]
By the early twentieth century the Royal Marines had achieved a high professional status, although there was a serious shortage of junior officers. Numbering about 15,000 during the Edwardian era,[41] enlistment for other ranks was for at least 12 years, with entitlement to a pension after 21 years of service. After basic training new recruits were assigned to one of three land-based divisions and from there to warships as vacancies arose.[42] From 1908 onwards one gun turret on each battleship was manned by RMA gunners. The RMLI continued their traditional role of providing landing parties and shore-based detachments. Specialist positions on board ship, such as postmen, barbers, lamp trimmers and butchers, were reserved for Royal Marines. After 1903 the Royal Marines provided bands for service on board battleships and other large vessels.[43]
During theFirst World War, in addition to their usual stations aboard ship, Royal Marines were part of theRoyal Naval Division which landed inBelgium in 1914 to help defendAntwerp and later took part in theamphibious landing at Gallipoli in 1915. It also served on theWestern Front. The Division's first two commanders were Royal Marine Artillery Generals. Other Royal Marines acted as landing parties in the Naval campaign against the Turkish fortifications in the Dardanelles before the Gallipoli landing. They were sent ashore to assess damage to Turkish fortifications after bombardment by British and French ships and, if necessary, to complete their destruction. The Royal Marines were the last to leave Gallipoli, replacing both British andFrench troops in a neatly planned and executed withdrawal from the beaches.[44]
The Royal Marines also took part in theZeebrugge Raid in 1918. Five Royal Marines earned the Victoria Cross in the First World War, two at Zeebrugge, one at Gallipoli, one at Jutland and one on the Western Front.[36]
After the war Royal Marines took part in theallied intervention in Russia. In 1919, the 6th Battalion RMLI mutinied and was disbanded at Murmansk.[45] The Royal Marine Artillery (RMA) and Royal Marine Light Infantry (RMLI) were amalgamated on 22 June 1923.[46] Post-war demobilisation had seen the Royal Marines reduced from 55,000 (1918) to 15,000 in 1922 and there wasTreasury pressure for a further reduction to 6,000 or even the entire disbandment of the Corps. As a compromise an establishment of 9,500 was settled upon but this meant that two separate branches could no longer be maintained. The abandonment of the Marine's artillery role meant that the Corps would subsequently have to rely on Royal Artillery support when ashore, that the title of Royal Marines would apply to the entire Corps and that only a few specialists would now receive gunnery training. As a form of consolation the dark blue and red uniform of the Royal Marine Artillery now became the full dress of the entire Corps. Royal Marine officers and SNCO's however continue to wear the historic scarlet inmess dress to the present day. The ranks ofprivate, used by the RMLI, andgunner, used by the RMA, were abolished and replaced by the rank of Marine.[47]
During theSecond World War, a small party of Royal Marines were first ashore atNamsos in April 1940, seizing the approaches to the Norwegian town preparatory to a landing by theBritish Army two days later. The Royal Marines formed theRoyal Marine Division as an amphibiously trained division, parts of which served at Dakar and in thecapture of Madagascar. After the assault on the French naval base at Antsirane in Madagascar was held up, fifty Sea Service Royal Marines fromHMS Ramillies commanded by Captain Martin Price were landed on the quay of the base by the destroyerHMS Anthony after it ran the gauntlet of French shore batteries defending Diego Suarez Bay. They then captured two of the batteries, which led to a quick surrender by the French.[48]
In addition the Royal Marines formed Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisations (MNBDOs) similar to theUnited States Marine CorpsDefense Battalions. One of these took part in thedefence of Crete. Royal Marines also served inMalaya and inSingapore, where due to losses they were joined with remnants of the 2nd Battalion ofArgyll and Sutherland Highlanders atTyersall Park to form the "Plymouth Argylls". The Royal Marines formed one Commando (A Commando) which served atDieppe. One month after Dieppe, most of the 11th Royal Marine Battalion was killed or captured in an ill staged amphibious landing at Tobruk inOperation Agreement. Again, the Marines were involved with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, this time the 1st Battalion. In 1942 the Infantry Battalions of the Royal Marine Division were re-organised asCommandos, joining theBritish Army Commandos. The Division command structure became aSpecial Service Brigade command. The support troops becamelanding craft crew and saw extensive action onD-Day in June 1944.[49]
A total of four Special Service Brigades (redesignated Commando brigades in December 1944 as the "SS" abbreviation was unpopular) were raised during the war, and Royal Marines were represented in all of them. A total of nine RM Commandos were raised during the war, numbered from 40 to 48. These were distributed as follows:
1 Commando Brigade took part in first in theTunisia Campaign and then assaults onSicily andNormandy, campaigns in theRhineland andcrossing the Rhine. 2 Commando Brigade was involved in theSalerno landings,Anzio,Comacchio, and operations in theArgenta Gap. 3 Commando Brigade served in Sicily andBurma. 4 Commando Brigade served in theBattle of Normandy and in theBattle of the Scheldt on the island ofWalcheren during the clearing ofAntwerp.[50]
In January 1945, two further RM Brigades were formed, 116th Brigade and 117th Brigade. Both were conventional Infantry, rather than in the Commando role. 116th Brigade saw some action in theNetherlands, but 117th Brigade was hardly used operationally. In addition one Landing Craft Assault (LCA) unit was stationed in Australia late in the war as a training unit. In 1946 the Army Commandos were disbanded, leaving the Royal Marines to continue the Commando role (with supporting Army elements). A number of Royal Marines served as pilots during the Second World War. It was a Royal Marines officer who led the attack by a formation ofBlackburn Skuas that sank theKönigsberg. Eighteen Royal Marines commandedFleet Air Arm squadrons during the course of the war, and with the formation of theBritish Pacific Fleet were well represented in the final drive on Japan. Captains and Majors generally commanded squadrons, whilst in one case Lt Colonel R.C. Hay onHMSIndefatigable was Air Group Co-ordinator fromHMSVictorious of the entireBritish Pacific Fleet.[51]
Throughout the war Royal Marines continued in their traditional role of providing ships detachments and manning a proportion of the guns onCruisers and Capital Ships. They also provided the crew for the UK's MinorLanding craft, and the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group mannedCentaur IV tanks onD Day; one of these is still on display atPegasus Bridge.[52]
Only one marine (CorporalThomas Peck Hunter of 43 Commando) was awarded theVictoria Cross in the Second World War for action at Lake Comacchio inItaly. Hunter was the most recent RM Commando to be awarded the medal.[36] The Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment under Blondie Haslar carried outOperation Frankton and provided the basis for the post-war continuation of theSBS.[53]
The Royal Marines underwent a notable change after 1945 however, when the Royal Marines took on the main responsibility for the role and training of theBritish Commandos. As of 2009[update], since their creation in 1942 Royal Marines Commandos had engaged on active operations across the globe, every year except 1968.[54] Notably they provided the first military unit to perform an air assault insertion by helicopter, during theSuez Crisis in 1956.[55] They were also part of the land element during the 1982Falklands War.[56]
43 Commando was active as amphibious infantry from 1961 to 1968, and41 Commando was disbanded in 1981.[57]
In 1946 the Army Commandos were disbanded, leaving the Royal Marines to continue the commando role (with supporting army elements). During theCold War the Royal Marines were earmarked to reinforceNATO's northernmost commandAllied Forces North Norway. Therefore,3 Commando Brigade began to train annually in Northern Norway and had large stores of vehicles and supplies pre-positioned there. At the end of the Cold War in 1989 the structure of the Royal Marines was as follows:[58]
Royal Marines were involved in theKorean War.41 (Independent) Commando was reformed in 1950, and was originally envisaged as a raiding force for use againstNorth Korea. It performed this role in partnership with theUnited States Navy until after the landing ofUnited States Army X Corps atWonsan. It then joined the US's1st Marine Division at Koto-Ri. AsTask Force Drysdale with Lt. Col. D.B. Drysdale RM in command, 41 Commando, a USMC company, aUS Army company and part of the divisional train fought their way from Koto-Ri to Hagaru after the Chinese had blocked the road to the North. It then took part in the famous withdrawal fromChosin Reservoir. After that, a small amount of raiding followed, before the Marines were withdrawn from the conflict in 1951. It received thePresidential Citation after the USMC got the regulations modified to allow foreign units to receive the award.[59]
After playing a part in the long-runningMalayan Emergency, the next action came in 1956, during theSuez Crisis. Headquarters3 Commando Brigade, and Nos 40, 42 and 45 Commandos took part in the operation. It marked the first time that a helicopter assault was used operationally to land troops in an amphibious attack. British and French forces defeated the Egyptians, but after pressure from the United States, and French domestic pressure, they backed down.[60]
In September 1955 45 Commando was deployed toCyprus to undertake anti-terrorist operations against theEOKA guerrillas during the independence war against the British. The EOKA were a small, but powerful organisation of Greek Cypriots, who had great local support from the Greek community. The unit, based in Malta at the time travelled to the Kyrenia mountain area of the island and in December 1955 launched Operation Foxhunter, an operation to destroy EOKA's main base.[61]
Further action in the Far East was seen during theIndonesia–Malaysia confrontation. Nos 40 and 42 Commando went toBorneo at various times to help keepIndonesian forces from worsening situations in the neighbouring region, in what was an already heated part of the world, with conflicts inCambodia,Laos andVietnam. During the campaign there was a company-strength amphibious assault by Lima Company of 42 Commando at the town ofLimbang to rescue hostages. TheLimbang raid saw three of the 150 marines involved decorated, L company 42 commando are still referred to today as Limbang Company in memory of this archetypal commando raid.[62]
In January 1964, part of theTanzanian Army mutinied. Within 24 hours elements of 41 Commando had left Bickleigh Camp, Plymouth, Devon, and were travelling by air to Nairobi, Kenya, continuing by road into Tanzania. At the same time, Commandos aboardHMSBulwark sailed to East Africa and anchored off-shore from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The revolt was put down and the next six months were spent in touring Tanzanian military out-posts disarming military personnel.[63]
From 1969 onwards, Royal Marine units regularly deployed toNorthern Ireland duringThe Troubles, during the course of which 13 were killed in action.[64] A further eleven died in theDeal barracks bombing of the Royal Marines School of Music in 1989.[65] Between 1974 and 1984, the Royal Marines undertook three United Nations tours of duty in Cyprus. The first was in November 1974, when 41 Commando took over the Limassol District from the 2nd Battalion of the Guards Brigade, following theTurkish invasion, and became the first commando to wear the light blue berets of the UN when they began the Corps' first six-month tour with the UN forces in Cyprus (UNIFCYP).[66]
TheFalklands War provided the backdrop to the next action of the Royal Marines.Argentina invaded the islands in April 1982. A British task force was immediately despatched to recapture them, and given that an amphibious assault would be necessary, the Royal Marines were heavily involved. 3 Commando Brigade was brought to full combat strength, with not only 40, 42 and 45 Commandos, but also the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of theParachute Regiment attached. The troops were landed atSan Carlos Water at the western end ofEast Falkland, and proceeded to "yomp" across the entire island to the capital,Stanley, which fell on 14 June 1982 to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. A Royal Marines divisional headquarters was deployed, under Major-GeneralJeremy Moore, who was commander of British land forces during the war.[67]
The main element of 3 Commando Brigade was not deployed in the 1991Gulf War. However, 24 men from K Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines were deployed as six-man teams aboard two Royal Navy destroyers and frigates. They were used asship boarding parties and took part in numerous boardings of suspect shipping. There were also further elements deployed to provide protection of shipping whilst in ports throughout the Gulf. The main element of 3 Commando Brigade was deployed to northernIraq in the aftermath to provide aid to the IraqiKurds as part ofOperation Safe Haven.[68]
In 1992 recruiting into the RM Band Service was opened to females.[69] From 2000 onwards, the Royal Marines began converting from their traditionallight infantry role with the introduction of theCommando 21 concept, an emphasis on force protection leading to the introduction of theViking, the first armoured vehicle to be operated by the Royal Marines for half a century.[70]
Note: "(V)" denotedBritish Army reserve units.
The Royal Marines are part ofHis Majesty's Naval Service, alongside theRoyal Navy and theRoyal Fleet Auxiliary, and they are under the full command of theFleet Commander. Despite that, the rank structure of the Royal Marines is the same as that of theBritish Army. Uniquely, in the Royal Marines, officers and all other ranks undergo initial, commando and specialist training together at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines (CTCRM).[71]
On average, 26,000 men apply to join the Royal Marines Commandos every year, but only 400 make it.[72]
At its height in 1944 during the Second World War, more than 70,000 men served in the Royal Marines. Following the Allied victory the Royal Marines were quickly reduced to a post-war strength of 13,000. WhenNational Service was ended in 1960, the Marines were again reduced, but this time to an allCommando-trained force of 9,000 personnel.[73] As of 1 January 2021, the Royal Marines had a strength of 5,968 Regulars, and a combined strength of 6,500 when including reserves.[74] The Royal Marines are also the only British force element capable of conducting amphibious operations atbrigade level.[75]
The basic personal weapon of the Royal Marines Commandos is the 5.56mmC8 carbine rifle, sometimes fitted with theL123A3 underslung grenade launcher.[76] Support fire is provided by theL7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)[77] and theL111A1 heavy machine gun[78] (which is often mounted on an armoured vehicle); indirect fire is by theL16A2 81mm mortar.[78] Sniper rifles used include theL115A3,[77] produced byAccuracy International. More recently theL129A1 has come into service as thedesignated marksman rifle.[76] Other weapons include theJavelin anti tank guided missile,[79] theNLAW disposable anti tank missile,MATADOR anti-structure recoilless rifle, theL131A1 pistol[80] and theFairbairn–Sykes fighting knife.[81] The Royal Marines are in the process of replacing all of their L85 rifles with theL119 and theKS-1 (L403).[82]
The Royal Marines maintain no heavy armoured units, instead, they operate a fleet of lightly armoured and highly mobile vehicles intended for amphibious landings or rapid deployment. The primaryarmoured fighting vehicle operated by theViking Squadron is theBvS 10 Viking All Terrain Armoured Vehicle.[83] Other, lighter vehicles include theLand Rover Wolf, and theJackal 2 (MWMIK) protected patrol vehicle.[84]
Field artillery support is provided by29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery of the British Army using theL118 Light Gun, a 105 mm towedhowitzer. The regiment isCommando-trained.[85]
TheCommando Helicopter Force of theFleet Air Arm provides transport helicopters in support of the Royal Marines. It currently uses bothMerlin HC4/4A medium-lift transport andWildcat AH1 light transport/reconnaissancehelicopters to provide direct aviation support for the Corps. In addition, theRoyal Air Force providesChinook heavy-lift andPuma HC2 medium-lift transport helicopters, and theBritish Army providesApache AH-64E attack helicopter gunship support.[86]
The Royal Marines operate a varied fleet ofmilitary watercraft designed to transport troops andmateriel from ship to shore or conduct river or estuary patrols. These include theMk10 Landing Craft Utility and theMk5b Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel, and theBAE Fast Interceptor Craft andMK 11 Shallow Water Combat Submersible used by theSpecial Boat Service. Other smaller amphibious craft such as theOffshore Raiding Craft,Rigid Raider andInflatable Raiding Craft are in service in much greater numbers.[87]
_Hovercraft_MOD_45154442.jpg)
The overall head of the Royal Marines isKing Charles III, in his role asCommander-in-Chief of theBritish Armed Forces. The ceremonial head of the Royal Marines is theCaptain General Royal Marines. In October 2022 King Charles was announced as the new Captain General on the occasion of the 358th anniversary of the foundation of the corps.[4] Full Command of the Royal Marines is vested in theFleet Commander (FLTCDR).[88]
The operational capability of the corps comprises a number ofbattalion-plus sized units, of which six are designated as "commandos":[89]
With the exception of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group and the Commando Logistic Regiment, which are each commanded by a fullcolonel, each of these units is commanded by alieutenant-colonel of the Royal Marines, who may have sub-specialised in a number of ways throughout their career.[90]
Operational command of the five commandos and the Commando Logistics Regiment is delegated to UK Commando Force. Based atStonehouse Barracks, this headquarters exercises control as directed by either CINCFLEET or thePermanent Joint Headquarters.[89]
The other elements of the Royal Marines outside of the UK Commando Force are:
_board_the_destroyer_USS_O%2527Bannon_(DD_987)_during_a_Maritime_Interdiction_Operation_(MIO)_training_evolution.jpg)
40 and 45 Commando are each organised into sixcompanies, further organised intoplatoon-sizedtroops, as follows:[92]
In general a rifle company Marine will be a member of a four-manfire team, the building block of commando operations. A Royal Marine works with their team in the field and shares accommodation if living in barracks. This structure is a recent development, formerly Commandos were structured similarly to British Army light infantry battalions.[93]
Royal Marines Officers and NCOs are eligible to serve in the Fleet Air Arm as both fixed wing and rotary wing aircrew.[94][95][96] This includes service in theCommando Helicopter Force (CHF) and in fast jets where a Royal Marine officer has commanded617 Squadron,Royal Air Force.[97]
The CHF comprises three helicopter squadrons and is part ofJoint Aviation Command.[98] It consists of bothRoyal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines personnel. RN personnel need not be commando trained. The CHF not a Royal Marine unit, being neither under the permanent control of UK Commando Force nor the Commandant General Royal Marines, but rather is allocated to support Commando units as required. It uses bothMerlin HC4/4A medium-lift andWildcat AH1 light transport/reconnaissancehelicopters.[86]
On 11 April 2017 theFirst Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones, announced[99] that the Royal Marines Commandos were to be restructured, and will be capable of deploying on special operations as part of theFuture Commando Force (FCF) Programme. Indeed, the Ministry of Defence has also said that under the FCF programme, the Royal Marines Commandos will take on many of the traditional tasks of theSAS andSBS, alongside a new Army Ranger Regiment.[74][100] As part of this programme, Navy Command is also creating the staff and intellectual horsepower for a land littoral strike division programme.[101] An example of the FCF was depicted by young engineering graduates from the UK Naval Engineering Science and Technology forum (UKNEST).[102][103] There will be twoLittoral Response Groups: One based East of Suez, one based in the High North.[104] On 27 June 2020, the Royal Marines announced they will adopt a new uniform with theMultiCam camouflage instead of MTP.[105][106]
Royal Marine Commandos are required to undergo the longest and one of the most physically demanding specialist infantry training courses in the world. Recruit training lasts for 36 weeks for Royal Marine Commandos and 64 weeks for Royal Marine Commando Officers. Potential recruits must be aged 16 to 32 (18 to 25 for Commissioned Officers).[107] Applicants must undertake a series of interviews, medical tests, an eye/sight test, psychometric tests, a PJFA (pre-joining fitness Assessment), a 5-day CPC (candidate preparation course), and a 4-week ROP (recruit orientation phase).[108] If an applicant successfully completes all of these phases, then they will get selected for a place in mainstream recruit training, which will take place atCTCRM (commando training centre Royal Marines) inLympstone,Devon,UK. A large proportion of training is carried out onDartmoor's inhospitable terrain andWoodbury Common woodland.[109]
Throughout recruit training, Royal Marines Commando recruits learn and develop a vast amount of knowledge and warfighting skills such as weapons handling, marksmanship, proficiency with a variety of different firearms and weapon systems, unarmed and armedclose quarters combat (CQC), develop elite levels of physical fitness and mental resilience, demolition, reconnaissance, small team tactics, small boat operations, breaching, raiding, direct action, SERE training,fieldcraft skills such as camouflage and stalking, survival skills, bushcraft, mountaineering, fast-roping (helicopter), abseiling, vertical assault, underwater escape, chemical biological radiological nuclear (CBRN) training, military communications and signals, map reading and navigation, leadership and teamwork skills, first aid, patrolling and sentry duty, amphibious landings training, personal administration, and marching and parade ground skills.[110]
The best recruit to finish training is awarded the Kings Badge. King George V directed that his Royal Cypher, surrounded by a laurel wreath, would be known as the King's Badge, and would be awarded to the best all round recruit in the King's Squad, provided that he was worthy of the honour. The badge was to be carried on the left shoulder, and worn in every rank. The King's Badge is not awarded to every squad, and is only presented if a recruit measures up to the very exacting standards required.[111]
Throughout their career, a Royal Marine Commando can specialise in a number of different roles upon completion of their respective courses after spending one to two years as a general duties (GD) rifleman at a unit. Examples of some specialisations and different courses includes the mountain leader (ML), physical training instructor (PTI), Assault Engineer (AE), Royal Marines police (RMP), sniper (S), medical assistant (MA), pilot, reconnaissance operator (RO), drill instructor (DL), driver (D), clerk (C), signaller (SI), combat intelligence (CI), armourer (A), and heavy weapons (HW). Royal Marines can also apply for swimmer canoeist/Special Boat Service selection (SBS) or any other branch of theUKSF.[112] All Royal Marines will also conduct training exercises on differing military skills on a regular basis including development in mountain, arctic, jungle, amphibious and desert warfare. They can also be involved in exchange training programs with other countries' forces – particularly theUnited States Marine Corps[17] and theNetherlands Marine Corps/Korps Mariniers.[18]
TheRoyal Marines Museum (established in October 1958) is an institution dedicated to the history of the Royal Marines. In 2011, it became part of theNational Museum of the Royal Navy, which has since been the executive public body of the museum in theMinistry of Defence. It will soon be moving fromEastney Barracks toPortsmouth Dockyard.[113]
The Royal Marines have a proud history and unique traditions. With the exceptions of "Gibraltar" and the laurel wreath for the Battle of Belle Island, their colours (flags) do not carrybattle honours in the manner of the regiments of the British Army or of the US Marine Corps, but rather the "globe itself" as a symbol of the Corps.[114]
Theheraldic badge of the Royal Marines commemorates the history of the Corps. The Lion and Crown denotes a Royal regiment. KingGeorge III conferred this honour in 1802 "in consideration of the very meritorious services of the Marines in the late war." The "Great Globe itself" was chosen in 1827 by KingGeorge IV in place of battle honours to recognise the Marines' service and successes in multiple engagements in every quarter of the world.[31] Thelaurels are believed to honour the gallantry they displayed during the investment and capture ofBelle Isle, offLorient, in April–June 1761. The wordGibraltar refers to theCapture of Gibraltar by a force of Anglo-Dutch Marines in 1704 and the subsequent defence of the strategic fortress throughout a nine-monthsiege against a numerically superior Franco-Spanish force.[31] Their determination and valour throughout the siege led to a contemporary report published inThe Triumphs of Her Majesty's Arms in 1707 to announce:
Encouraged by the Prince of Hesse, the garrison did more than could humanly be expected, and the English Marines gained an immortal glory
— referred to by Paul Harris Nicolas, Historical Record of the Royal Marine Forces[115]
There are no other battle honours displayed on thecolours of the four battalion-sized units of the current Corps. The Latin motto "Per Mare Per Terram" translates into English as "By Sea By Land". Believed to have been first used in 1775, this motto describes the Royal Marines ability in fighting both afloat on-board ships of the Royal Navy as well as ashore in their many land engagements. The fouled anchor, incorporated into the emblem in 1747, is the badge of theLord High Admiral, and shows that the Corps is part of theNaval Service.[114]
The regimental quick march of the Royal Marines is "A Life on the Ocean Wave", while the slow march is themarch of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, awarded to the Corps by Admiral of the FleetEarl Mountbatten of Burma on the occasion of the Corps's tercentenary in 1964. Lord Mountbatten was Life Colonel Commandant of the Royal Marines until his murder by the IRA in 1979.[116]
The Royal Marines are allowed by theLord Mayor of the City of London to march through theCity as a regiment in full array. This dates to the charter ofCharles II that allowed recruiting parties of the Admiral's Regiment of 1664 to enter the city with drums beating and colours flying.[117]
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Modern Royal Marines uniforms are broadly similar to British Army uniforms but include a number of distinctive uniform items. These include the green "Lovat" shade of service dress uniform; thegreen beret (for those who have passed the commando course) or navy blue beret with a scarlet patch behind the badge (for those who have not); dark blue parade dress worn with either the white Wolseley Pattern Helmet (commonly referred to as "pith helmet") or white and red peaked cap; the scarlet and bluemess dress for officers and senior non-commissioned officers; and the white hot-weather uniform of the Band Service.[118]
The Royal Marines rank alongside their army equivalents. However, when on the books of any HM Ship or Naval Establishment, Royal Marines were subject to the Naval Discipline Act 1957. In those circumstances, many officer ranks in the Royal Marines formerly enjoyed greater status. Second lieutenants were equivalent to sub lieutenants and ranks from lieutenant to major were considered equivalent to one rank higher (OF-2 to OF-4). Lieutenant colonels were considered equivalent to RN captains with less than six years in the rank, and colonels were equivalent to captains with more than six years seniority. This state of affairs ended on 1 July 1999, when Royal Marine officer ranks were fully aligned with those of the army.[119][120] Officers in the Royal Marines wear the same insignia as their army counterparts but their insignia is5⁄8 inch (16 mm) in size (unlike British Army officers whose insignia is 1 inch (25 mm) in size).[121] Commissioned officers below the rank of colonel wear the initials 'RM' below their rank insignia.[121]
| Royal Marines officer rank insignia | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank group | General officers | Field officers | Junior officers | Officer cadets | |||||||
| NATO code | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | N/A | |
| Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | .svg) |
| Rank | General | Lieutenant-general | Major-general | Brigadier | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Officer cadet |
| Abbreviation | Gen | Lt Gen | Maj Gen | Brig | Col | Lt Col | Maj | Capt | Lt | 2Lt | OCdt |
| Royal Marines other rank insignia | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | |
 United KingdomRank Insignia (View) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | |
| Rank Title: | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Colour sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal | Marine | ||
| Abbreviation: | WO1 | WO2 | CSgt | Sgt | Cpl | LCpl | Mne | ||
The current uniform and insignia worn by theCaptain General Royal Marines, presentlyKing Charles III, is the uniform and insignia offield marshal, consisting of two crossed batons surrounded by yellow leaves below a Crown.[122][123]
| Rank | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Captain General Royal Marines |  |
As Captain General Royal Marines,Prince Harry was entitled to wear crossed batons surrounded by a laurel wreath, crown above, i.e. the rank insignia of aField Marshal.[124] Despite this, Prince Harry, at least on some occasions, opted to wear the rank insignia of aColonel,[125][126] traditionally worn by someColonels-in-chief in theBritish Army.[127]
Early connections date from Balaclava in theCrimean War and Lucknow during theIndian Rebellion of 1857, but the main association stems from World War II. In July 1940, after the fall of Dunkirk, the 5th Battalion,Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders served with the Royal Marine Brigade for over a year. When the battleshipsHMS Prince of Wales andHMS Repulse weresunk in December 1941, the Royal Marines survivors joined up with the remnants of the 2nd Battalion, in thedefence of Singapore. They formed what became known as 'The Plymouth Argylls', after the association football team, since both ships were Plymouth manned. Most of the Highlanders and Marines who survived the bitter fighting were taken prisoner by the Japanese. The Royal Marines inter-unit rugby football trophy is the 'Argyll Bowl', presented to the Corps by the Regiment in 1941.[11]
The fore-bearer regiments of thePrincess of Wales's Royal Regiment,31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot was initially raised as amphibious troops. They served as Marines for a period. To this day one officer from the Royal Marines serves with the PWRR and Vice Versa. Also the Royal Marine Lanyard is worn by all ranks in Service Dress and Number 2 Dress uniform and barrack dress of PWRR.[128]
The Royal Marines and theUnited States Marine Corps have close cultural links arising from theSpecial Relationship, having trained together and fought together on multiple occasions.[129]
Close links have existed between the Royal Marines and theBarbados Defence Force since 1985 when a bond was established following a series of cross-training exercises in the Caribbean. The Alliance was approved by HM the Queen in 1992.[11]
The Royal Marines have close links with the RoyalNetherlands Marine Corps, with whom they conduct NATO exercises throughout the year. Units of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps work in close co-operation with 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines. Operational units of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps are fully integrated into this brigade. This integration is known as theUnited Kingdom-Netherlands Landing Force and is a component of the United Kingdom-Netherlands Amphibious Force as a key strike force during the Cold War to strengthen the Nordic area.[130]
The9th Marine Infantry Brigade (9e Brigade d'Infanterie de Marine, 9e BIMa) is aMarine infantry brigade which is one of the two designated amphibious brigades in France. It is unique in being the only 'All Marine' Brigade in theFrench Army; the other amphibious brigade,6th Light Armoured Brigade (6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6e BLB), is composed of a mix of cap badges. 9e BIMa is also a light armoured brigade, formed of two Marine infantry regiments (2e RIMa and3e RIMa —Régiments d'Infanterie de Marine) and a tank battalion.[131]
several authors – including Josephine Flood,Alan Frost, Charles Wilson and Judy Campbell – maintain that First Fleet smallpox did not cause the outbreak
As the Commander-in-Chief Fleet, a position he took up in November 2007, Mark Stanhope has full command of all deployable Fleet units, including the Royal Marines.
ROYAL MARINES OF THE FUTURE Imagined by Britain's best and brightest engineers
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