Royal Marines COMMANDOS
The Royal Marines are the amphibious commando force of the Royal Navy. In recent times, the Royal Marine Commandos have been deployed to Afghanistan and played a major part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
|
The Royal Marines section of Elite UK Forces features :
|
3 Commando Brigade
The Royal Marines (or 'Bootnecks' as they call themselves), in the form of 3 Commando Brigade, are a key element of the UK's Rapid Reaction Force.
The Commandos
The primary fighting elements of the Royal Marines are the battalion-sized Commando units.
- 40 Commando
(based at Norton Manor Barracks, Taunton, Somerset)
- 42 Commando
(based at Bickleigh Barracks, Plymouth, Devon)
- 45 Commando
(based at Condor Barracks, Arbroath, Angus, Scotland)
Each Commando is organised into 6 companies. Each company is made up of platoon-sized Troops:
- Command Company
- Main HQ
- Tactical HQ
- Reconnaissance Troop (includes a sniper section)
- Mortar Troop (81mm)
- Anti-Tank (AT) Troop (Milan / Javelin)
- Medium Machine Gun Troop (GPMG)
- One Logistic Company
- A Echelon 1 (A Ech1)
- A Echelon 2 (A Ech2)
- FRT
- RAP
- B Echelon (B Ech)
- Two Close Combat Companies
- Company Headquarters (Coy HQ)
- 3 Close Combat Troops (Troop HQ, 3 Rifle Sections, Manoeuvre Support Section)
- 2 Stand Off Companies
- Company Headquarters (Coy HQ)
- Heavy Machine Gun Troop (HMG)
- AT Troop (Milan / Javelin)
- Close Combat Troop
Royal Marines Operational History
The Royal Marines have a long history, beginning as ship-borne troops, evolving into Commandos during World War 2, to the elite fighting force of today.
read more on Royal Marines Operations
Special Forces Support
1 company (F Coy) of Royal Marines are assigned to the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG).
Sniping
Some Royal Marines are expert snipers and train the SAS and many other foreign forces in the disciplines of battlefield sniping.
(see photo of Royal Marines Snipers)
Mountain Leaders
Each commando battalion contains specialists in mountain and arctic warfare, known as Mountain Leaders (MLs). Mountain Leaders are proficient in cliff assaults, high altitude warfare and skiing.
more info on the Mountain Leaders »
Vehicles
The Royal Marines employ some specialised vehicles. These include:
- Land Rover WMIKs - heavily armed but lightly armoured vehicles used for long range reconnaissance and fire support
- Pinzgauer 4x4s - rugged and nimble troop carriers in use in Afghanistan
- all-terrain-vehicles (ATV)s - tracked vehicles designed to transport men and equipment over all kinds of ground. These include the BVS 10 Viking and BV206D.
Watercraft
The Royal Marines operate a range of watercraft:
Royal Marines Selection & Training
The Royal Marines go through extensive training. An initial selection period is followed by a 32 week training program.
read more on initial Royal Marines selection »
want to pass selection for the Royal Marines? Click here to find out how »
Royal Marines Special Units
There are several specialised RM sub units :
Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines
A special cadre of Royal Marines tasked with fleet security.
more info on the fleet protection group »
Brigade Patrol Troop (Brigade Reconnaissance Force)
3 Commando Brigade's elite reconnaissance force.
more info on the Brigade Patrol Troop »
The Special Boat Service (SBS)
Drawn mostly from RM ranks, but technically under the command of the Directorate of Special Forces and part of UKSF, the SBS is a special forces unit on a par with the army's SAS.
Roles of the SBS include Maritime Counter-Terrorism, beach and shore reconnaissance, drug smuggling interdiction and behind the lines reconnaissance and sabotage missions.
more info on the SBS »
Royal Marines Reserves (RMR)
The regular Commandos are augmented by fully trained civlian volunteers from 5 RMR units
more info on the Royal Marines Reserves »
Other Royal Marines Units
1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1 AGRM)
|
Related Book :
Royal Marines Commandos: The Inside Story of a Force for the Future
by John Parker
The Royal Marines were originally formed under the auspices of the Royal Navy to guard its sailing ships from harm. They are proud of their history and origins but the Navy heritage is fading. John Parker's new book charts how the units have moved away from their nautical beginnings to develop, over time, into the most versatile force in the British military, containing one of their most elite brigades. The Royal Marines Commandos have over the past few years developed into the premier fighting organisation on land, sea and air. They are trained to the highest degree in a diverse range of skills and officer quality is generally recognised as of the highest order. This history deals with events associated with the Royal Marines and subsequently in their commando role, starring in major conflicts in which the UK became embroiled, including Italy, Malaysia, the Borneo confrontation with Indonesia, and more recently Afghanistan.
A fascinating read and highly recommended |
|
