Marine (military) facts for kids

Peruvian Naval Infantry training on the Amazon River.

Spanish and U.S. Marines at Naval Station Rota, Spain (July 2002)

A marine is a special kind of military member. Marines are trained for military actions in other countries, especially for attacks from the sea onto land, called amphibious warfare. They usually work very closely with a country's navy. The navy often provides support like medical care, legal help, and supplies. The anchor is a common symbol for marines. The word marine comes from an old English word meaning "of the sea." In some languages like French, Dutch, and German, "marine" also means "navy." Marine forces are usually part of the navy, but sometimes they can be part of the army or even work on their own.

In the past, marines protected ships at sea. They stopped mutinies (when sailors rebel) and would board enemy ships during battles. They also carried out raids on the shore to help the navy. Sometimes, marines would join campaigns on land to support the army.

History of Marines

Ancient Greek trireme

In the very early days of naval warfare, there wasn't much difference between sailors and soldiers on a warship. For example, the rowers on Ancient Greek and Roman ships also had to be ready to fight. Soldiers armed with weapons would board enemy ships to fight their crews. The Roman Navy even had two special infantry units, I Adiutrix and II Adiutrix, which were among the first naval infantry groups.

The first organized group of marines was created in 1537 by Charles V. He assigned the naval infantry from the Compañías Viejas del Mar de Nápoles (Old Sea Companies of Naples) to his Mediterranean Galley Squadrons. This was the beginning of the modern Spanish Navy Marines. The American Marine Corps started later, on November 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, just seven months before America declared its independence.

What Marines Do

U.S. Marines training on an amphibious assault ship.

The main job for marine troops is to carry out military actions close to the coast. They are based on ships and are trained to land on shore and take control of important areas up to about 50 miles inland. Marines leave their warships using helicopters, landing craft, hovercraft, and amphibious vehicles (vehicles that can travel on both land and water).

Marines also have other roles within the navy. These include boarding other ships, helping to clean ships, providing security at naval ports, and assisting with daily ship duties.

Marines Around the World

Many countries have their own marine forces. Here are some examples:

Argentina

The Argentine Marine Corps is part of the Argentine Navy. They have different units, including a special forces group. The 5th Battalion of the Argentine Marines fought in the Falklands War.

Australia

In the past, Australian colonies had volunteer naval infantry. Today, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment of the Australian Army is being trained to act as marines.

Brazil

Brazilian marines in training.

The Corps of Naval Fusiliers is part of the Brazilian Navy. They have about 15,000 members and a main unit called the Amphibious Division.

Chile

Chilean Navy special forces seen here using the MP5N

The Chilean Marine Corps is part of the Chilean Navy. They are experts in amphibious assaults and are part of Chile's Special Forces.

Finland

Finnish marines in training

The Finnish Uusimaa Brigade trains the Finnish Marine Commandos, known as coastal jaegers. This unit is special because it's the only one in the Finnish Defence Forces that speaks Swedish.

France

Group of naval fusiliers of Toulon

France has two main types of marine forces. The Fusiliers Marins are navy sailors who protect ships and coastal areas. Their special forces are called Commandos Marine.

French marines in Afghanistan, 2009.

The Troupes de marine are part of the French Army. They are specially trained for amphibious operations and often serve in French overseas territories. They even work closely with the British Royal Marines.

Germany

A German Navy boarding team member provides security for his team as they board a local cargo dhow by fast rope to search the vessel.

The Spezialisierte Einsatzkräfte Marine is a special operations group of the German Navy. They also have the Marineschutzkräfte (Naval Protection Force) that guards naval bases.

India

The Indian Navy has an elite special operations unit called "MARCOS" (Marine Commandos). They do secret missions and counter-terrorism work, especially in sea-based warfare.

Indonesia

The Indonesian Marine Corps is part of the Indonesian Navy. They have a special anti-terrorism unit called "Detasemen Jala Mangkara" (meaning "Sea Ghost Detachment").

Italy

An Italian Marine sets security for his team to safely board a cargo to conduct a search of the vessel

Italy has marine units in both its Navy and Army. The San Marco Regiment is a marine unit of the Italian Navy, and the Serenissima Regiment is the marine infantry unit of the Italian Army.

South Korea

The Republic of Korea Marine Corps is the second largest marine corps in the world. It operates as a separate part of the military, unlike most other marine branches. Their motto is '귀신 잡는 해병대', which means 'Ghost-catching/killing Marines'.

Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps was founded in 1665. It's an elite light infantry unit that can be sent anywhere in the world within 48 hours.

Pakistan

Pakistani and U.S. Marines come ashore during a training exercise

The Pakistan Marines were re-established in 1990. They helped with recovery efforts after the floods in 2010.

Philippines

Philippine Marines push forward during an amphibious assault training exercise.

The Philippine Marine Corps is considered the "shock force" of their armed forces. They are usually the first unit involved in any amphibious or sea-based battles.

Portugal

The Portuguese Navy has had a naval infantry corps since 1621, known as Corpo de Fuzileiros.

Russia

A Russian Marine on exercise.

The Russian Naval Infantry are the amphibious forces of the Russian Armed Forces. They are part of different Russian fleets.

Spain

Spanish Navy Marines deploying from an AAV-7

The Spanish Navy Marines are the oldest existing marine force in the world, started in 1537. Their red trouser stripes show they are part of the Royal Household Corps, an honor given for their brave defense of a castle in Cuba in 1763.

United Kingdom

British Royal Marines disembark from their Rigid Raider landing craft onto a beach during an exercise

The Royal Marines (RM) were formed in 1664 and are part of the UK Naval Service. They have one of the longest infantry training programs in the world. They include a commando brigade, a naval security unit, and a special forces unit called the Special Boat Service.

United States

A U.S. Marine scaling the seawall at Inchon, 15 September 1950, during the Korean War

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the largest marine force in the world. They handle many of the United States' operations in other countries. Formed in 1775, they were first meant to guard naval ships. While they are part of the Department of the Navy, they are a separate military branch from the United States Navy. US Marines also work as security guards at U.S. embassies around the world and provide helicopter transport for the President of the United States (Marine One). Their motto is Semper Fidelis, which means "always faithful."

Historical Marine Forces

Throughout history, many other groups have acted as marines:

Ancient Greece and Rome

Ancient Greek states used their regular soldiers as marines on ships. The Roman Navy also used regular infantry as marines and even had legions (large groups of soldiers) specifically for naval service.

Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine navy used people called Mardaites as marines and rowers. Emperor Basil I also created a special marine regiment of 4,000 professional troops.

Confederate States of America

The Confederate States Marine Corps was a branch of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War.

German Empire

During the German Imperial era, there were three 'sea battalions' called Seebatallione. These units were used as forces for colonial interventions.

Imperial Japan

The landing of the Japanese Marines from the Unyo at Ganghwa Island, Korea, in 1875.

Both the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army had marine-like units. The Navy's Special Naval Landing Forces were like their Marine Corps. These forces were dissolved after World War II.

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman navy had naval infantry units, including Janissaries and Azaps, who sometimes served as marines.

Soviet Union

Soviet Naval Infantrymen during a demonstration in 1990.

Before World War II, the Soviet Navy had small naval infantry units. During the war, many sailors were formed into naval infantry brigades and used for ground combat and amphibious operations.

United Kingdom

Besides the modern Royal Marines, the Royal Navy also formed "Naval Brigades" of seamen for land actions. These brigades often brought ship guns ashore to use as artillery. A famous example is when they helped relieve Ladysmith.
The Royal Naval Division was a unit of the Royal Navy in World War I. It was made up of sailors and Royal Marines and fought in battles like Gallipoli.

United States

Before the modern US Marine Corps, there were "American Colonial Marines" for state navies during the American Revolutionary War. The "Continental Marines" were the first marine force for the American Colonies, formed in 1775 and disbanded in 1783.

Images for kids

Assyrian bireme with visible marines
Italian marines landing on the Libyan coast in 1911 during the Italo-Turkish war
Marines in an amphibious beach assault exercise during RIMPAC
Scuba-equipped Bolivian marines aboard an inflatable boat
Brazilian marines
Chilean Navy special forces
Fusiliers marins during parade
A German Navy boarding team
MARCOS during VBSS training at RIMPAC 2022
Indonesian marines during RIMPAC 2014
IRGCN marine forces conducting an amphibious assault exercise
Italian marines in training
Maldivian marines
Mexican naval infantry
Pakistani marines
Philippine marines during an assault training exercise
The Portuguese Corpo de Fuzileiros
An armed Russian marine aboard a warship in the Mediterranean Sea
South African marines boarding an Indian warship
Spanish Navy marines
Sri Lankan Marines Assault Beach
President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen reviews a Marine Corps battalion
Royal Thai Marine land ashore during an amphibious assault
Turkish boarding teams
A Ukrainian naval infantry
Boarding procedures demonstrated by the British Royal Marines
US Marines conduct an exercise aboard a fishing vessel
Ottoman naval infantrymen
Soviet naval infantryman during a demonstration in 1990
South Vietnamese marines during training