A brief summary, of the best of the best. The Royal Marine Commandos.

Royal Marine Commandos: Overview

The Royal Marine Commandos, often referred to simply as Royal Marines, are an elite amphibious infantry force within the British Armed Forces. Renowned for their versatility, professionalism, and rigorous training, they specialize in amphibious warfare, capable of operating in a variety of environments, including land, sea, and air. This report will provide an overview of the Royal Marine Commandos, covering their organization, weaponry, defensive fire capabilities, tactics, and notable units/divisions.

Organization:

The Royal Marine Commandos are organized into several units and divisions, each with specific roles and responsibilities:

1. Commando Brigade: The Commando Brigade serves as the core operational formation of the Royal Marines. It consists of three Commando Units, along with supporting elements such as artillery, engineers, and logistics. The brigade is capable of deploying rapidly and conducting a range of missions, including amphibious assaults, raids, and special operations.

2. Commando Units: The Commando Units are the primary fighting formations of the Royal Marines. Each unit is composed of several companies, with specialized roles such as reconnaissance, assault, and support. The Commando Units are highly trained in infantry tactics, close combat, and amphibious operations.

3. **Specialist Units**: In addition to the Commando Brigade, the Royal Marines maintain several specialist units, including the Special Boat Service (SBS) and the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (FPGRM). These units undertake specialized missions such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, and special reconnaissance.

Weaponry:

The Royal Marine Commandos are equipped with a variety of modern weaponry, including:

1. Assault Rifles: The standard-issue rifle for Royal Marines is the L85A2, a British-made bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. It is known for its reliability and accuracy in combat situations.

2. Machine Guns: The Royal Marines employ light machine guns such as the L110A2 (FN Minimi) and the L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) for providing suppressive fire and supporting infantry movements.

3. Grenade Launchers: Grenade launchers such as the L17A2 under-barrel grenade launcher are commonly used by Royal Marines to engage enemy positions and provide indirect fire support.

4. Anti-Armor Weapons: Royal Marine Commandos utilize anti-tank weapons such as the Javelin missile system for engaging armored vehicles and fortified positions.

5. Personal Equipment: Each Royal Marine is equipped with personal protective equipment, including body armor, helmets, and load-bearing equipment for carrying ammunition and other essential gear.

Defensive Fire Capabilities:

The Royal Marine Commandos employ a range of defensive fire capabilities to protect their positions and assets. These include:

1. Mortars: Mortar teams within the Commando Units provide indirect fire support, lobbing high-explosive rounds onto enemy positions with precision.

2. Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS): Royal Marines may be equipped with MANPADS such as the FIM-92 Stinger to counter enemy aircraft and helicopters.

3. Anti-Aircraft Guns: Heavy machine guns and automatic cannons mounted on vehicles or emplaced in defensive positions are used to engage enemy aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

4. Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) Systems: In certain operational environments, Royal Marines may deploy C-RAM systems to detect and intercept incoming enemy rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds.

Tactics:

The tactics employed by Royal Marine Commandos are characterized by their flexibility, mobility, and adaptability to various combat environments. Key tactics include:

1. Amphibious Assaults: Royal Marines are trained to conduct amphibious assaults from ships, submarines, or aircraft, seizing beachheads and establishing a foothold in enemy territory.

2. Vertical Envelopment: Utilizing helicopters or aircraft, Royal Marines can conduct vertical envelopment operations, inserting forces behind enemy lines to disrupt enemy movements and seize key objectives.

3. Reconnaissance and Surveillance: Specialized reconnaissance teams gather intelligence on enemy positions, terrain, and potential threats, enabling commanders to make informed decisions and plan effective operations.

4. Close Quarters Battle (CQB): Royal Marines are trained in close-quarters combat techniques for clearing buildings, ships, and other confined spaces, often in urban or maritime environments.

5. Combined Arms Operations: Royal Marines work closely with other branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to conduct combined arms operations, leveraging the strengths of each service to achieve mission success.

Units/Divisions:

Some notable units and divisions within the Royal Marine Commandos include:

1. 40 Commando: Based in Taunton, Somerset, 40 Commando is one of the three frontline Commando Units within the Royal Marines. It has a distinguished history and has been deployed in numerous operations worldwide.

2. 45 Commando: Located in Arbroath, Scotland, 45 Commando specializes in mountain and cold-weather warfare, making it well-suited for operations in challenging environments.

3. Special Boat Service (SBS): The SBS is the special forces unit of the Royal Marines, specializing in maritime counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, and direct action missions. It operates alongside the Special Air Service (SAS) and other special forces units.

4. Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (FPGRM): The FPGRM provides security for Royal Navy ships and nuclear deterrent submarines, safeguarding them against potential threats while they are in port or at sea.

In conclusion, the Royal Marine Commandos are a highly trained and versatile force capable of executing a wide range of missions across diverse operational environments. Through their expertise in amphibious warfare, combined arms operations, and specialized tactics, they remain a formidable asset for the British Armed Forces.

- Noel Hands

Gosport RM