The Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC; ), also known colloquially as the Taiwanese Marine Corps, is the amphibious arm of the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) responsible for amphibious warfare, counter-landing and reinforcement of the areas under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (ROC), including the island of Taiwan, Kinmen, and the Matsu Islands, and defense of ROCN facilities, also functioning as a rapid reaction force and a strategic reserve capable of amphibious assaults.
Established in 1914 on Mainland China, the ROCMC is considered an elite force within the ROC Armed Forces and it has been described as being well known for its "Road to Heaven" stage in its 10-week amphibious training program. The ROC Marine Corps' official motto is (), the Chinese translation of "Semper Fidelis". The ROC Marines trains with the USMC though these are generally classified, unofficial, or with trainees officially considered by either side as "observers."
Organization
The Marine Corps Command () is subordinate to the Navy GHQ, the General Staff, the Minister of Defense, and the ROC President.
Current organization
Marine Corps Command
Corps HQ Battalion ()(November 1, 2013, it was cut and reorganized to the Combat Support Group ()) Battalion HQ company ()(November 1, 2013, it was cut and reorganized to the Combat Support Group Support Company ()) Health company () honor guard company () Security Guard company () Shooting training team () Logistics company () 272nd Company of the Marine Corps Military Police () Military band () Amphibious Armor Group () 4 Amphibious Transport Squadrons (), 24+ tracks per squadron. 1st (AAV-7), 2nd (AAV-7), 3rd (LVT-5), 4th (LVT-5). 2 Amphibious Artillery Squadrons (), mortars, 1st (LVT-5) and 2nd (LVT-5). Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit (): nicknamed "Frogmen" and regarded as the Taiwanese military counterpart to the U.S. Navy SEALs, over half of the 600 troops of this unit are aboriginal Taiwanese. 3 Reconnaissance Company () 1 Special Service Company () () 1 Underwater Demolition Company () 1 Support Company () Combat Support Group (), combined formerly the Beach Logistics Group and the Communications, Information, Electronic Warfare Group, and Corps HQ Battalion Support Squadron (), combined formerly the battalion HQ company () Wuchiu Garrison Command () Armed Force Joint Operation Training Base () Marine Corps Command 66th Marine Brigade 'Vanguard' (), Taipei area, receiving M60A3TTS to replace M41 tanks 77th Marine Brigade 'Iron Guards' (), Garrison brigade, CCK and other area all over Taiwan 99th Marine Brigade 'Iron Force' (), Kaohsiung
History
The ROC Marine Corps were formed from the former Navy Sentry Corps in December 1914.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the ROC marines saw little in amphibious warfare for the Japanese dominated the seas & thus saw combat in the same form as the regular infantry.
Likewise, during the civil war, the ROC marines were either absorbed as regular infantry units, or played as supporting role. However, in 1947, the ROC Marine Corps was reconstituted & saw action Mawei, Fujian. Since the Chinese Civil War, the ROCMC has participated in several battles (such as the Battle of Dongshan Island and Wanshan Archipelago Campaign), and in humanitarian response efforts, with the 66th Marine Brigade being decorated by President Chiang Kai-shek. Marines were also stationed on Taiping Island in the Spratly Islands, being used to reinforce Taiwanese claims of sovereignty in that region. In 2000 they were replaced there by the Coast Guard Administration. Due to the "Americanization" of the ROC military, and due to the belief that an amphibious infantry force would be the vanguard of a liberation of the Chinese mainland, Taiwan developed a Marine Corps in the 1950s that was separate from the Army or Navy and would spearhead the hypothetical invasion of the mainland.