marine corps

Also known as naval infantry. A marine corps is a force of naval infantry designed for amphibious and ship to shore air assault, often as the beginning stages of an invasion, and as a quick reactionary force to protect a country's interests overseas. It uses the mobility and logistics of a navy to be able to quickly project ground forces into a conflict.

A marine corps can range from a small special operations unit, such as the Royal Marines, to an entire combined arms military branch, like the United States Marine Corps with infantry, armor, air (both fixed and rotary wing), and support such as supply, logistics, transport, and communications.

Marine corps often stress combat proficiency for all members, not just in combat occupations, because in the confusion of an initial assault, the rear echelons may come under attack and a defender may try to destroy an initial beachhead by attacking their supplies being brought to shore.

Modern marine corps evolved from naval infantry aboard sailing vessels whose primary roles were to protect a ship from boarding, board enemy vessels, and to protect the command crew in the event of mutiny. Later, during the later half of the 19th century, imperial powers soon found a need for ground forces that could quickly react to protect their overseas interests. Therefor many marine corps grew in order to fulfill this role.

Also, during this time with the increasing power and range of naval guns, boarding become a less common naval tactic to use in war, and the end of impressment (conscription) to crew ships meant a reduced the risk of mutiny. Marine corps evolved so that their primary mission now was amphibious assault and protection of overseas interests.