Republic of China Marine Corps

The Republic of China Marine Corps is the amphibious arm of the Republic of China Navy responsible for amphibious combat, counter-landing and reinforcement of the main island of Taiwan, remote islands, defense of ROCN facilities, and also functions as a rapid reaction force and a strategic reserve.

Organization

 * Marine Corps Command: Marine Corps Command is subordinate to Navy GHQ, the General Staff, the Minister of Defense, and the ROC President.
 * Brigades (formerly divisions)
 * 66th Marine Brigade 'Pioneer' (陸戰六六旅「先鋒部隊」), Taipei area, receiving M60A3TTS to replace M41 tanks
 * 77th Marine Brigade 'Iron Guardian' (陸戰七七旅「鐵衛部隊」), Garrison brigade, CCK and other area all over Taiwan
 * 99th Marine Brigade 'Iron Force' (陸戰九九旅「鐵軍部隊」), Kaohsiung
 * Groups
 * Amphibious Armor Group (登陸戰車大隊)
 * 4 Amphibious Transport Squadrons (運輸中隊), 24+ tracks per squadron. 1st(AAV-7), 2nd(AAV-7), 3rd(LVT-5), 4th(LVT-5).
 * 2 Amphibious Artillery Squadrons (砲兵中隊), mortars, 1st(LVT-5) and 2nd(LVT-5).
 * Amphibious Reconnaissance Group (兩棲偵搜大隊), over half of the 600 troops of this unit are aboriginal Taiwanese
 * Combat Support Group (戰鬥支援大隊), combined formerly the Beach Logistics Group and the Communications, Information, and Electronic Warfare Group
 * Wuchiu Garrison Command (烏坵守備大隊)
 * Tri-Service Joint Combat Training Base (三軍聯合作戰訓練基地)
 * Corps HQ Battalion (隊部營)

Amphibious Reconnaissance Group: nicknamed "Frogmen" and regarded as the ROC Military's counterpart to US Navy SEALs

History
The ROC Marine Corps were formed from the former Navy Sentry Corps in December 1914. In 2004, the ROCMC redeployed a brigade near the Taipei area to defend against a possible PRC decapitation strike.

The Marine Corps used to be 2 divisions, 66th and 99th divisions, in size, when its doctrine focused on retaking mainland China. Since its transition to a defensive posture, the ROCMC has been downsized.

The ROC Marine Corps' official motto is "永遠忠誠" (Always Faithful), modeled after the USMC's "Semper Fidelis".

External references & links

 * ROC Marine Corps
 * Republic of China Marine Corps Pictures and Info