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The Royal Marines (RM) are a key component of the government's Rapid Reaction Force. They are a small but powerful Corps within the Royal Navy (not the army), operating in the air, on land and at sea. They are the Royal Navy's ‘Sea Soldiers’ and provide the UK's amphibious force.

The essential qualities that are required of a Commando include fitness, commitment, discipline and self-confidence. All Marines, except those in the Band Service, are commandos and undergo one of the world’s toughest infantry training regimes. The training includes Jungle, Desert, Mountain and Arctic Warfare.

The Green Beret is the distinctive hallmark of the commando troops, indicating that those who wear it have attended and passed a gruelling and physically demanding test of endurance; they have displayed the commando qualities of teamwork and cheerfulness in adversity.

The Royal Marines also fulfil a number of other roles, disaster relief operations and providing a security presence in trouble spots. This is called Standing By.

Royal Marines Corps Structure

Royal Marines disembark from a Chinook at a hot landing zone in Afghanistan, [Picture: PO (Phot) Sean Clee. Part of Royal Naval Photographer of the Year's portfolio]

The corps contains one brigade made up of

• Three commando units. These each number about 700 men and use a variety of light support weapons. They are the equivalent of the army’s light infantry battalions. A Commando Unit comprises six companies: one Command Company; one Logistics Company; two Stand Off Combat Companies and two Close Combat Companies.
• Combat support units.
  • Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines is responsible for all second line combat service support.
  • 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines operates landing craft, raiding craft and hovercraft providing additional mobility to the assault force.
  • HQ Commando Helicopter Force co-ordinates the helicopter support to the Brigade.
  • UK Landing Force Command Support Group is the Brigade Commander’s command and control unit. As well as HQ staff, the group contains specialist sub-units dealing with reconnaissance, electronic, warfare, communications, protection from air attack, military police and forward air control.
  • Special Boat Service Royal Marines, which provides Special Forces elements to conduct advance force operations.

When in action, the corps may also employ the following attached army units:

• 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery provides artillery support for the Brigade.
• 20 Commando Air Defence Battery Royal Artillery complements the Brigade’s own Air Defence Troop by providing area air defence.
• 59 & 31 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers provides close engineer support to the Brigade - anything from bridge demolition to bridge building and from mine clearance to mine laying.
• Medium Armoured Reconnaissance is provided by B Squadron of the Household Cavalry regiment, which may be assigned to the Brigade for specific operations.

Landing craft

The Royal Marines are trained to land and secure footholds on all types of coastline. Fast, manoeuvrable Rigid Raiders and other landing craft capable of carrying troops and vehicles are used to transport the Royal Marines ashore.

Ships used for Amphibious Operations

HMS Ocean

The following ships form the core of the Royal Navy's modernized amphibious force:

The primary role of these vessels will be to support Royal Marine Commandos on amphibious operations by transporting, deploying and recovering troops and equipment, by sea and by air. A secondary role is to provide a platform for the planning, command, control and communications of amphibious operations.

BAND

The Royal Marines Band Service offers a great opportunity to anyone who relishes the prospect of combining his or her musical abilities with military service. The musician’s role is physically and professionally demanding; but whether playing Mozart or carrying out military responsibilities, his training is unbeatable and the rewards are great.

About 340 years of history

28 October 1664
An Admiral’s Regiment’ of 1200 men was raised to fight the Dutch at sea. These Royal Marines began their existence as marksmen on the decks and in the rigging of warships. They were not only soldiers, but also seamen. Today, they operate from the air and on land anywhere from the Arctic Circle to tropical jungles. They are a small but powerful Corps who, for over three centuries, have displayed daring and professionalism in combat.

Gibraltar 1704
The Marines captured the rock of Gibraltar, holding out for eight months under siege.

The Boer War 1899 to 1902
In the South Africa war, the Marines were used mainly at sea as extra gun crews on the ships carrying troops and patrolling important routes.

First World War 1914 to 1918
The Royal Marines took part in many of the Royal Navy’s engagements afloat, while Marine gunners on land manned howitzers and anti-aircraft guns. Some Marines took to the air.

Second World War 1939 to 1945
The Royal Marines served in most naval encounters. They were also involved in a wide range of new tasks: landing-craft crews, artillery and searchlight units and naval base defence organisation. By the end of the war there were 80,000 Royal Marines.

The Falklands 1982
The Royal Marines played a vital role in this brief but bloody war. Weeks before the British Task Force finally arrived at the Occupied Islands, men of the Special Boat Service were put on shore to scout for possible landing sites. Later they played a crucial part in the battles for Port Stanley and Goose Green.

The Royal Marines Commando Display Team

This team specialises in unarmed combat, helicopter and building abseils, high aerial slides and qualified supervisors of our hi tech rock climbing simulators. One of many techniques they demonstrate is Helicopter ‘Fastroping’, which is a method used to deploy lightly equipped troops into confined areas where a helicopter could not land. A rope is suspended from the hovering aircraft and the ‘fastroper’, wearing special gloves, slides down the rope under control from heights of up to 90ft.

If you would like to request the Team to attend your event or school/college, one thing you can do is to send a bid to the following address, approximately one year before the required show date:

DNR Outreach Co-Coordinator, DNR Wroughton, Central Display Workshops, Wroughton Airfield, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 0ST, Tel: 01793 814555

The Royal Marines Museum

At the Museum, you can discover the exciting story of the Royal Marines brought to life with dramatic and interactive displays. The Museum is in what was one of the most stately Officers' Messes in England, built in the 1860's with beautiful ceilings, huge paintings and a grand staircase.

Find out how how Hannah Snell posed as a man and served as a Marine in India in the 1740's. And how the elite troops of the Royal Marines were closely involved in the Battle of Trafalgar, American War of Independence, both World Wars, Falklands War - the list goes on.

You will find the museum at:

Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9PX     Tel: 02392 819 385     E-mail: info@royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk

(Images on this page: © Crown Copyright/MOD. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office)