Happy Birthday Bootnecks, and Devil Dogs
The Royal Marines were founded on 28 October 1664, under Charles II, as the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot. Some 5,820 strong (authorized) they are one of the most professional and pound-for-pound elite amphibious forces on the planet, despite the fact they have been in steady decline when it comes to sea lift for the past 40 years.
Happy 360th! Of note, the Admiralty got Henry Cavill to narrate the birthday recruiting ad, which is very motivational.
And in a show of support from their junior “brother corps” across the Atlantic, the USMC issued a congratulations message.
The Marines will celebrate their 249th on 10 November.
And, since you came this far, be sure to check out this great short doc from NATO showing off Marines at play in Norway, their home away from home since 1940. The Finns and Swedes joined in this year.