Republic of China Marine Corps

Republic of China Marine Corps
Personnel	15,000 (2009 est.)

The Republic of China Marine Corps (中華民國海軍陸戰隊; pinyin:Zhōnghuá Mínguó Hǎijūn Lùzhàndùi) 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 (先鋒 (Pioneer), Taipei area, receiving M60A3TTS to replace M41 tanks)^[1]
    • 77th Marine Brigade (鐵衛 (Iron Guardian), Garrison brigade, CCK and other area all over Taiwan)
    • 99th Marine Brigade (鐵軍 (Iron Force), Kaohsiung
  • Groups
    • 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 Group (over half of the 600 troops of this battalion are aboriginal Taiwanese)
    • Combat Support Group(combined formerly the Beach Logistics Group and the Communications, Information, and Electronic Warfare Group)^[2]
  • Wuchiu Garrison Command
  • Tri-Service Joint Combat Training Base
  • Corps HQ Battalion

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".

Equipment

Type	Make/Model	Origin	#
Tanks	M60A3 TTS	United States	[3][4]
Tanks	M41 Walker Bulldog	United States
Armored fighting vehicles	AAV-P7A1 amphibious assault vehicles	United States	54
Armored fighting vehicles	LVPT5A1 amphibious assault vehicles	United States	84
Armored fighting vehicles	CM-25 AFV(CM-21 with 1 x TOW launcher)	Republic of China
Artillery	M101 howitzer	United States
Artillery	M109 howitzer	United States
Anti-Tank	BGM-71 TOW-2A/B	United States
Anti-Tank	MK-153 SMAW	United States
Anti-Tank	FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile	United States	[5]
Anti-Tank	M40A1 recoilless rifle	United States
SAM	Stinger DMS(Dual Mount Stinger)	United States
SAM	MIM-72/M48 Chaparral locally upgraded FLIR by CSIST	United States
Helicopters	Hughes OH-6 Cayuse 500 Defender	United States	6
Assault Rifle	T65K2 assault rifle	Republic of China
Assault Rifle	T91 combat rifle	Republic of China
Squad Automatic Weapon	T75 squad machinegun	Republic of China
Sniper Rifle	SSG-2000	Switzerland
Sniper Rifle	T93	Republic of China

See also

• Republic of China Armed Forces
• People's Liberation Army
• People's Liberation Army Marine Corps

External references & links

• ROC Marine Corps website(Chinese)
• Republic of China Marine Corps Pictures and Info

References & notes

1. ^ ""ROCMC's 66th Brigade Receiving New Tanks". http://n.yam.com/gpwb/life/201011/20101123103496.html. Retrieved 2010-11-23. 
2. ^ ""ROCMC's new Combat Support Group". http://www.wretch.cc/blog/hojiyi/879300. Retrieved 2010-11-09. 
3. ^ ""ROCMC M41 tanks"". http://www.wretch.cc/blog/hojiyi/873270. Retrieved 2010-11-09. 
4. ^ ""ROCMC's 66th Brigade Receiving New Tanks". http://n.yam.com/gpwb/life/201011/20101123103496.html. Retrieved 2010-11-23. 
5. ^ ""ROCMC open base 2010"". http://www.wretch.cc/blog/hojiyi/863743. Retrieved 2010-10-09.