Plymouth—The Royal Marine Commandos just celebrated their 353rd birthday.
The Commandos are Britain’s amphibious light infantry force. They are organised in the 3 Commando Brigade, which is composed of 40 and 45 Commandos with about 700 Marines each—42 Commando was part of the Brigade but recently underwent a reorganization–now it’s now focused on maritime counter-terrorism and interdiction.
They inhabit a grey area between Special Operations and conventional military forces. Although not a SOF unit per se, their expertise in arctic, mountain, and expeditionary warfare on top of their tough selection and training process separates them from regular units of the British military. They are also often called to support Britain’s SOF units.
Individual Royal Marines, however, do have the option to serve in the Special Forces Support Group (UKSG), a unit launched to support SAS and SBS operations, much like the 75th Ranger Regiment has been doing for Delta Force and Seal Team Six.
Here are some interesting facts about the Corps to honour their service:
- Royal Marines trace their history back to 28 October, 1664, but the Corps was officially formed in 1755.
- As an amphibious unit, they are part of the Royal Navy.
- Royal Marines have earned 10 Victoria Crosses, all of them during the First World War.
- Royal Marines crewed 75% of D-Day’s landing craft.
- They first wore the Green Beret in 1942, and only those who pass the 32-week Commando Course are entitled to wear it.
- The term “Commando” comes from Afrikaans and the Boer wars. Boers formed independent mobile cavalry units that operated deep behind British lines.
- Their selection culminates with a 30-mile speed march through the Dartmoor moorland that must be completed within 7 hours for officers and 8 hours for ranks.
- During the Second World War, the Royal Marines reached a peak of more than 70,000 Commandos. Today, there are less than 6,500 of them.
- Marines assigned to the Royal Marines Band are more than musicians; they are also trained medics.
- Their motto is Per Mare, Per Terram (By Sea, By Land).
- In the Suez Crisis of 1956, the Royal Marines were the first unit to utilize helicopters for a major air assault.
- Popular Royal Marines nicknames include Bootneck, Royal, and Lobster.
- The Commandos use the word “yomping” instead of “rucking.”
- In the Falklands War, Royal Marines yomped 120 miles in three days carrying up to 140lbs. Did I mention they did so in the most unforgiving terrain?
- Royal Marines hold the world speed march record.
- Royal Marines and the USMC have exchange programs. US recon marines are often seconded to the Commandos and vice versa.
- The Special Boat Service (SBS) was part of the Royal Marines and used to recruit solely within their ranks. However, a recent reorganization placed the SBS under the command of the Director Special Forces, and they now share their selection process with the SAS.
- In the 18th century, a woman name Hannah Snell served in the Royal Marines under disguise. She fought in numerous battles, allegedly being quite the French killing-machine, and was wounded 12 times. In retirement, she opened a pub!
- During the opening stages of the Falklands War, the 22-strong Royal Marine garrison of South Georgia managed to damage an Argentinian warship, shoot down a helicopter and drive back an invading force at least thrice their size.
- Their ethos is ingrained in four pillars: unselfishness, courage, determination, and cheerfulness in the face of adversity.
Did you serve alongside a Bootneck and have an interesting story to share?
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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Nice point of trivia on another U.S. Marine - Royal Marine connection. It is tradition at OCS in Quantico that the school head of PT is a Royal Marine Color Sergeant. When I was there in 1990 our RM Color Sergeant was 37 years old. I was a pretty good runner, but, we had one guy who came off a track scholarship to Ohio State. This guy, Klaase, ran the 3 mile PFT run in under 15:05. I was running around 17:20 at the time - not even close. Well, on our mid - point PFT. Klaase was several hundred yards in front of me and out of nowhere comes the Color Sergeant like a gazelle. Passes me like I'm standing still and in a couple more minutes is gliding next to Klaase yelling at him - "Come On - you got more in you! You can push harder!" Not even winded!! Another time we had humped all day to a bivouac site some 10 miles out from from Brown Field (of course we didn't hump only 10 miles, we ended up there!). At 0600 the following morning as we're crawling out of our tents, here comes the Color Sergeant cruising through our camp in his PT gear like he just left the barracks 5 minutes ago!!! Damn dude could RUN!!
Dartmoor moorland. Dartmouth is nearby, but not quite. Those asking about Hannah Snell, she originally joined to go looking for her estranged husband. Hell really does hath no fury like a woman scorned. With the strict "No Women" policy she bound her chest with bandages, and blagged the medical as it was pretty much check that there are two arms and two legs, and they're roughly in the right place and you've passed. BZ that woman!
Depends on the Marine!
Here's another source about Hanna Snell http://thefemalesoldier.com/blog/hannah-snell. During the Revolutionary War, Royal Marines were used mainly in ships. So, I'm pretty sure they fought against you, but not in large numbers.
A great yarn! Do you remember which Commando he was from?