The US Marine Corps provides force projection from the sea, amphibious operations, and combat roles overseas. It is part of the Department of the Navy but has its own command structure. The Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a combined armed force under one commander. Specialized subdivisions include the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment and the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. The Continental Marines, formed in 1775, were the forerunner of the US Marine Corps, which was officially established in 1798.
The United States Marine Corps is one of the service branches of the United States Armed Forces. Its primary role is to provide force projection from the sea, often in cooperation with the US Navy. In addition to amphibious operations, the Marine Corps may also perform a more general combat role in military expeditions overseas and provide security for American embassies, consulates, and naval installations. The United States Marine Corps has strong ties to the Navy and is part of the United States Department of the Navy, but has its own separate military command structure. Its highest-ranking officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, a four-star general and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The modern United States Marine Corps focuses on amphibious capability, combined arms tactics, and the ability to deploy expeditionary forces overseas on short notice. It is a lighter force than the United States Army, with a smaller percentage of troops in support roles and a greater emphasis on infantry. The Marine Corps makes extensive use of close air support provided by attack helicopters, land-launched or carrier-launched fixed-wing attack aircraft, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, such as ground-attack aircraft Harrier, which can launch from amphibious assault ships without requiring a runway.
A United States Marine Corps operation is usually structured around an organization called the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). A MAGTF is a combined armed force under one overall commander. They vary in size based on their mission, but each MAGTF has its own headquarters, ground and air combat, and logistics elements. The largest type of MAGTF is called a Marine Expeditionary Force, a slightly smaller unit is called a Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and the smaller MAGTFs are called Marine Expeditionary Units.
The United States Marine Corps has several specialized subdivisions. The Marine Corps Security Force Regiment is tasked with protecting naval installations and has specialized counterterrorism teams that can be rapidly deployed during unforeseen crisis situations. The Marine Corps Embassy Security Group protects American embassies, consulates and government offices in foreign countries. Marine Corps Headquarters, which primarily serves personnel and administrative functions, includes the commanding officer and agencies such as Marine Aviation, Intelligence Department, and Marine Corps Logistics Command.
The forerunner of the United States Marine Corps was the Continental Marines, formed during the Revolutionary War by order of the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. They served as security forces and sharpshooters on Continental Navy ships. They also fought in land battles and amphibious assaults, including a raid on British naval facilities in the Bahamas. They were disbanded along with the Continental Navy in 1783. In 1797, the United States government began recruiting Marines to serve on newly established United States Navy vessels, and the United States Marine Corps was officially established by an act of Congress in 1798.
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