Marines as a Class of Soldier

[thedrifter]

Marines are defined as 'a class of troops trained for service at or from the sea.' While marines usually compose a small portion of any countries armed forces, they are generally viewed as an elite and well trained group of soldier.

While any maritime nation eventually requires a group of sea soldiers to protect its interests on the high seas, the first documented use of marines as a class of trooper in a standing army belongs to the Greeks and Romans. While not adept at naval warfare, the Romans had the best land army of its time, having defeated the Greek phalanx on land it turned its thoughts to operations on the sea. (see caption on photo at right.) Two legions were raised from marine units, I Auditrix ( latin for Supportive) by Nero in AD 66 or 67 from naval troops at Misenum, and the II Auditrix by Flavian from naval troops at Ravenna in AD 69. Roman marines or Classiarii, remained a part of Rome's force projection assets throughout the life of the empire, serving not only at sea, but along the Danube river as well. Through the dark ages, ship to shore raids and plundering were carried out by the Vikings, not an organized marine corps, but definably complying with the mission of marines. In the modern age, over 23 nations have fielded marines or marine type units in their armed forces.




Roman trooper Late Republican period. Ospray men-at-arms series Painting by Michael Youens.

Roman Quinquereme. 219BC. Crew, 150 rowers, 75 marines, 25 sailors and ship's officers. Note Corvus on bow (right end of picture) This allowed the Romans to convert a sea battle into a land battle. The ship would maneuver in close, the Corvus was allowed to fall onto the deck of the Carthaginian ship and anchored itself with a spike on the end. Then the Roman marines would use it as a bridge and assault the ships crew. Rome's marines and the corvus played a major role in the defeat and subsequent destruction of Carthage.
Greek and Roman Naval Warfare, Rodgers, Naval Institute Press.




Royal Marine 1775
Royal Marines, Smith and Oakl



Emblem of the Royal Marines, 'The Globe and Laurel.' The motto of the RM is Per Mare Per Terram, or By Sea, By Land.

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[thedrifter]

Royal Marine of today armed with the SA-80 5.56 cal assault rifle.
Royal Marines, Smith and Oalkey.




Royal Marine detachment for HMS Orlando at Tsentin China 1900, part of the China Relief forces during the Boxer Rebellion.
Royal Marines, Smith and Oakley




1981, Gen Kelly, Commandant USMC visits with members of the Senior Command Course staff in the field. Gen Kelly had been an exchange officer with the Royal Marines in 1960 when he earned the green beret and served with 45 Commando in the Middle East and 42 Commando in WestPac.
Royal Marines, Smith and Oakley.