The Royal Marines

Couragous Well-Disciplined Men

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The Royal Marines their motto is: 'Per Mare Per Terram'. By Sea, By Land, it is correct. They have also fought in the air. That was how these gallant sea-soldiers who have fought battles all over the world, started out, on 28th October 1664.

Since then other deserved mottos have been attached to these glorious fighting troops one such motto is 'esprit de corps' it is so true in their nature and their spirit, if incorrect in word.

From the moment when recruits set their sights on becoming a Royal Marine; they quickly learn that they are going to tread in the path of their corageous forebears and in some cases their own forefathers. They learn history of bravery and valour on the battlefield and the names of the fallen whose memories abound.

The Marines who believe nothing is impossible have fought valiantly for hundreds of years. Soldiers who looked death in the face and maintained their course to their objective; men whose trustworthiness is ingrained, men who would give their lives for their brothers-in-arms and their Queen/King and Country.

Army and Royal Marine Commandos

Regimental Pride alone is not what makes these proud fighting men of arms so unique. The human bond they build together during the demanding training, unites their hearts ready for action.

In World War II the Commandos were formed in the early days, but, the Commandos were rarely used at first; however by the end of the war they had seen so much action and had carried out so many Commando raids successfully; that on D-Day, they were well and truly in high-demand by every General on the Front Line.

They all clamoured to have the soldiers whose fire discipline was unmatched in warfare; they didn't waste bullets their job was to kill as many of the enemy as possible; which often meant waiting until they were very close; often until they could see the whites of their eyes. Or the look of panic when knowingly your enemy realises they are facing certain death.

Both Army and Royal Marine Commandos had proven their value; they were in a class of their own; history has shown that no finer soldier had been so skilfully trained to be so well disciplined in battle.

Bootneck's they call them

The recruit knows a lot will be expected of him; and when he completes his training he knows he will have the capabilities required for the tasks that will be allotted. Those men not suitable for one reason or another are weeded out; only the best and the most reliable go on to follow in the glorious footsteps of former men of the Royal Marines.

All Royal Marine units are self sufficient fighting units who get supplied by the Navy; Royal Marines are the Navy's Regiment of the Fleet. The versatility of the Navy lies with its pilots, sea soldiers and ships; along with its highly skilled officers and ratings.

When it comes to combat the Navy and the Marines always provoke their value that is why they are such a powerful force. They have the ability to go where they have not been invited and kick down the door.

A trained soldier of the Marines has to have the aptitude to diversify into a number of tasks; and to be able to fight an enemy at very short notice; anywhere in the world and in any conditions that are placed before him; and like those who preceded him he will rise to the occasion-he will not let anyone down.

From skies to wheels or landing craft to helicopters their modes of transport are many; only equalled by their skill at arms; for they are trained to kill their enemy. There are many risks with a job of a highly hazardous nature; it takes great courage to be a man of action; courage is not a fear but what you do when faced with it.

Attitude and common sense

Royal Marines are not supermen; nor are they taught to act like that. In the street he looks like an ordinary man except he can do extraordinary things; but only by means of his own discipline.

He can fight in the desert, jungle or snow; there is no terrain where he will not go. Darkness is his companion who allows him to use stealth; and by guile he usually accomplishes his aim.

An example of their casual attitude to dangerous life; during recruitment one was asked: 'can you swim,' he replied. 'Blimey, haven't you got any ruddy ships left?'

In the gym or on the assault course his fitness is of the highest importance; in barracks his duties are completed without question; and on the parade ground his discipline is unequalled. All training continues and never stops; here are the reasons why these type of men enlist to be Royal Marines.

Fighters and boarding parties

Nobody can be sure when the first soldiers of the sea were asked to perform the perilous duties of a Marine; history tells us that Sir Francis Drake had soldiers in the rigging. Their duties were to shoot the officers or leading men of the guns crews whose ships they were fighting against.

The Navy used it's own sailors for boarding and repelling boarders, they were mostly pressed-men who were forced to join the navy with, only a few volunteers amonst their ranks. These involuntary sailors were unwilling to fight but had no choice. Untrained with no heart for a fight was a recipe for failure; which the navy discovered at a great cost.

At the time Spain was Britain's biggest enemy and they too had sea-soldiers doing the same task; so whose conception it was nobody can be sure. Spain however was the first to realise the full value of the soldier of the seas; and in 1537 they formed the very first Regiments of Marines.

But it was another two-hundred and eighteen years 1755 before the British officially realised the real value of trained well-disciplened sea-soldiers afloat; only then did they accept Marines into Britain's Royal Navy.

Over time their roll extended to raiding parties; where under the cover of darkness they could board a ship or land at a base and play a prominent roll in its capture.

Weapondry skill and stealth

The Marines skill with their weapons didn't go un-noticed. They were able to win many close quarter fights; because they could load their muskets in half of the time as their enemy. They mastered the art of loading so that they could fire two or three rounds or even more in comparison to their foe's single shot.

Then there was their skill with the bayonet on the end of the musket - they did not need to put the musket down to grab a pike for hand to hand fighting - they could carry on whittling down the enemy without needing to stop.

Their discipline and determination was thus unique; they expanded to firing the the great cannons of the big sailing ships. By applying their own techniques of serious training and self control; they were able to perfect the firing of their guns with great accuracy and speed again firing more shots than was coming at them.

The men came and the men went; many a brave soul was lost in action. It has always been down to the instructors to produce a soldier that would be strong and suitable both in mind and body to be a Marine; and they have never let their Corps down.

Those men went forward day or night; wherever the enemy were they hunted them out. Their valour has won more battle honours than can be recorded or displayed on their colours.

Through the Centuries Prime Ministers, Presidents, Lords, Admirals and Generals; along with Famous Poets and Writers have all heaped praise on their brave deeds and the sacrifices they have made. They have gained respect from their enemies or distinguished themselves against superior odds or extreme conditions in every part of the globe.

At the start of a new Century the Marine was, and will always be at forefront of their Countries defences. Ready to be called upon and ready to go into action; they will be waiting to strike again wherever their services are required. They are ready to land and fight as soldiers when they hear the bugle sound of their Divisional call.

The Elite Commandos

The operational involvement of The Royal Marines on Active Service requires that they should always be maintained at a suitably approved strength to meet the future needs of Britain.

No other country can produce a more loyal and gallant professional unit of soldiers that can be called upon at very short notice to operate to specific requirements in any part of the globe at any time and with destinction.

Since the beginning of the history of The Royal Marines in 1664 they have continually fought for their country in every war with barely a year going by without them being involved in active service in some part of the world. And that is something no other military unit can lay claim to.

The role of the Commando has led the Royal Marines to adapt from sea going detatchments of the Royal Navy (although still Royal Navy) to the all terrane fighting Commando of today.

A Proven Powerful Corps

The Marine himself has to be a volunteer for his tasks are of a hazardous nature. Only a person willing to face these ordeals can be expected to take the very high risks involved.

This rare type of person along with his arduous training has produced the finest combatant that history has ever produced.

The Royal Marines of the past have fought on many occasions along side sailors of the Royal Navy and together they have fought all over the world to bring prizes back to Britain. The Royal Marine Commandos have fought in 147 battles alongside the Army Commandos in World War II. Needless to say they have fought alongside other Marines, Commandos and many other Units from Britain and around the world.

Royal Marines.mod.uk www.Royal Marines Regimental.co.uk

A Combative Force Trained To Fight

Where might you find such a person you might ask? That is not very easy nor has it ever been easy. From the Press Gangs of old, up to the years of the promise of a share of the bounty of a captured prize, and on to today it has always been difficult to find the numbers of suitable personnel that are required and are capable of being Royal Marines.

As in the days of old, out in the world today there are people, not super-heroes, just ordinary people who have a personal pride in their being and have an intelligent attitude, they will be the Royal Marines of the future.

When entering the modern barracks of today. The recruits having passed their medical and testing soon find themselves in a squad ready for training. Some recruits find the strenuous and gruelling training punishing and difficult while others appear to sail through it with ease.

At the end of the day when embarkation arrives they are all fully trained and capable to tackle the tasks ahead.

On their day of action they will find themselves along side fully experienced Commandos often with many years of previous involvement with the enemy.

The mission you undertake is critical

The business of war is not a business to be proud of, but like any job if it is worth doing then it is better doing it properly and that means professionally.

Every aspect has to be considered and approached in the proper manner. It is important to put the emphasis on survival rather than heroism. But sometimes an unforeseen circumstance may arise for a person to be more courageous than expected.

Teamwork is essential for operations to be successful. Keeping their minds centred on the tasks before them prevents thoughts of fear creeping in. Surprise can be the most effective weapon, catching the enemy on the hop gives many advantages. The main one being, it makes it difficult for him to give an organised responce against you.

Not all of the Marine's life is spent on active service. There are times for further training and keeping up to date with new methods and the latest weapondry, and of course you do not keep fit with out physical training. All of these things have to be constantly put through their paces if you want to be in good condition the next time you are called into action.

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The Runs Ashore

Shore leave with your mates is always good fun far better than going out with your mates back home. There is something special about going out with someone who is prepared to give his life for you and you for him. You can be sure that you would be very lucky indeed if you had a mate like that who is a civilian of the same age.

With the ladies you might find your luck has improved for the better, your added fitness will surely stand out. You will look a different person to the one who left home to become a Marine. You will have the appearance of an athelete, your freshness and cleanliness will sparkle amongst the deadbeats close to you.

The problem you could face is with a lady looking for a keeper for the rest of her life, she might just settle for a soft touch she can control.

Going beyond dreams

You could get the support to do something of a lifetime. Or you might be able to concentrate on a sport that you specialise in. A boxer can sometimes get off exercises and parades to do extra training he might need to progress further or to represent his unit or Corps.

If you are a Marine opportunities could arise that you never ever dreamed were possible for you, but it will be up to you if you want to take them.

If you are proud and have got initiative, and you are physically and mentally fit, can think clearly in critical circumstances where others might yield, have a sense of humour and a sense of personal pride; then the green beret might just fit you?

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