Year of creation of the Marine Corps. Russian Marine Corps. Uniform of Russian naval sailors

Why is an army needed? In our world, there have always been powers that wanted to impose their culture on other peoples or control the natural and human resources of other countries in order to prosper their state. In view of this, each country strives to ensure its political, economic and cultural freedom by allocating a certain share of the budget for the defense of its territory. This situation has been happening since the beginning of humanity, which means that wars in one place or another on the planet will never end. Each country decides for itself what kind of army it needs to protect its borders. States that have access to the sea are obliged to protect their water borders, and therefore create naval forces.

The Navy of any developed state consists of the following units:

Marines.

Let's take a closer look at the last position of this list. The Marine Corps is created for the purpose of protecting and defending the coast - ports and military bases and to capture enemy coastal territories and hold them until the arrival of their ground forces.

History of the Marine Corps

The history of the Russian Marine Corps dates back to the time of Peter the Great. The need to form this type of army was justified as part of the conquest of the Azov and Baltic coasts. In the first half of the 18th century, real regiments were created for the first time, performing the functions of soldiers of the seas. Peter I was so keen on the formation of coastal troops that he was even listed as the commander of one of the companies and hid under the name of Peter Alekseev. The famous Northern War was won to a large extent thanks to the heroic battles of the Marines. November 16, 1705 is significant for the creation of the first naval regiment; since then this day has been the date of the founding of the Russian Marines unit. Considering the personal interest of the head of state in this type of troops, serving in it was honorable and prestigious. And to this day, paratroopers are distinguished by their special bearing, combat effectiveness and preparedness.

Vice Admiral Nakhimov played a major role in increasing the importance of the Marine Corps in the mid-19th century during the defense of Sevastopol in 1854 - 1855. He created 22 full-fledged battalions of infantrymen, which he formed from the sailors of the sunken ships. Thanks to them, Sevastopol withstood the defense against the Turkish invaders. In the Russo-Japanese War, during the siege of Port Arthur (the longest battle of this war), up to 10,000 infantrymen took part in holding the fortress.

The revolution of 1917 liquidated all units and only in 1939 the USSR Marine Corps was revived again. During the Second World War, 40 infantry brigades were recreated, their number reaching 350 thousand soldiers. And again Sevastopol held its defense from the German invaders, and again the Marines managed to withstand the long 250 heroic days of the siege. The Marine Corps against Verkhmat took part in the Battle of Stalingrad, during the liberation of Tallinn, Odessa and during the storming of Berlin. Black caps were a distinctive feature of the soldier of the sea; at the sight of them the enemy was seized with horror; the Germans nicknamed this unit the “Black Death”. During the Second World War, not only infantrymen of the Soviet Union, but also other countries: the USA and Western Europe, distinguished themselves. During the war, the American Marines were the most equipped and organized unit, and their heroic battles were legendary. At the same time, this was the smallest unit, it made up only 5% of the total number of participating Americans. In a matter of days, they, together with marines from other countries, liberated the coast in Asia and Europe. This is how the international marines fought heroically against Verkhmat.

In the post-war period, the leadership of the USSR underestimated the importance of the navy in general and the marine corps in particular. The budget for naval armaments was gradually reduced and in the mid-50s all infantry units were disbanded. The second time of stagnation for this type of troops has arrived. At the same time, England and France continued to develop the direction of the Marines, and catching up with them in this was already problematic. After another change in the leadership of the Soviet Union and while studying historical battles, by the mid-60s, service in the Marine Corps was revived, and the construction of landing craft of the most modern modifications began at an accelerated pace. The use of marine units in numerous military maneuvers has become a necessary condition. All this gave reason to the NATO leadership to believe that the Soviet Union was able to both defend itself and perform offensive functions, which restrained aggression towards the USSR.

Marine Corps of modern Russia

Today, Russian marines, called “black berets,” are an essential component of the Navy. Detachments of this unit are assigned to the four fleets of the country, as well as the Caspian Flotilla:

. Every year, the Navy command identifies and awards advanced special forces. Thus, in 2016, the coastal troops brigade of the Russian Baltic Fleet was recognized as the best. Without exaggeration, this is an elite brigade, which is distinguished by its excellent training of attack aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft.
- the youngest, its marine corps was created in 1933. The sailors' flagship ship is the nuclear-powered cruiser Peter the Great.
mostly located in Crimea. The soldiers of the Sevastopol infantry are distinguished by excellent hand-to-hand combat skills, which is also necessary for service in the ranks of the infantry.
is an operational and strategic formation of the Navy, their main task is to ensure security from the Pacific Ocean. In addition to all other weapons, the Pacific Fleet has missile submarines in its arsenal. The headquarters of the Pacific Marines is located in the city of Vladivostok.

Marines are primarily engaged in the defense of coastal territory, in addition, they carry out various tasks assigned by the army leadership. Marine Corps reconnaissance also plays a big role. In particular, sea soldiers carry out combat orders in Syria. By conducting a large number of training and combat missions, infantrymen improve their skills and are ready to repel an attack at any time. The Navy is provided with advanced equipment in the infantry field, including amphibious armored personnel carriers, missile and anti-tank systems, tanks and CAVs, various types of water obstacles, and small arms. The development and production of new types of equipment that meet the requirements of the 21st century continues.

Marine training

Marine training has a serious level of preparation. It is important to learn how to strengthen the body and spirit of a soldier. Daily squats, push-ups, pull-ups, long-distance running are the usual routine for them. However, Marine training is not just about exercise and endurance. It is important to have a strong-willed character and to know that in battle it is necessary to go to the victorious end. The physical activity, training and exercises of the Marine Corps make it possible to turn soldiers into real combat commanders.

How to join the Marine Corps

Thousands of boys every year dream of joining the ranks of brave heroes. How to get into the Marine Corps? The selection criteria for this elite unit are very high. It is necessary to have ideal physical characteristics - good vision, excellent physical fitness, normal physique, absence of chronic diseases. It is also important not to have negative stories of being reported to the police and not to take drugs. If physical data and everything else allow you to apply for service in these troops, even before conscription you should check with the military registration and enlistment office when recruitment for the Navy will take place and be sure to inform about your desire. But there is also high competition at recruiting stations. The final decision on the possibility of serving in the ranks of the Black Berets will be made upon arrival in the fleet. Contract service in the Marine Corps is a fairly common occurrence for those who dream of sea adventures. How to get into the Marine Corps as an officer? To do this, you need to enroll in a higher specialized school and upon successful completion, you are guaranteed to become a Marine - part of the military elite.

The flag of the Russian Marine Corps is an emblem with a golden anchor against the background of a black circle with a red border. There is an inscription around it - the Marine’s slogan: “Where we are, there is victory!” The emblem is located against the background of the St. Andrew's flag (the flag of the Russian Navy). The banner has come to us almost unchanged since the time of Peter I. In addition to the flag, the Marines have other distinctive elements. Thus, military personnel and combat veterans are entitled to various types of awards, in particular the departmental medal “For Service in the Marine Corps.” The main difference between the soldier of the seas and other military units is noticeable from afar - the black trumpet berets. Wearing this headdress is a special pride for its owner and family members. Every year on November 27, we hear dedication to the Marines and see hundreds of congratulations to paratroopers on their professional holiday.

The marine corps means one of the branches of the military, the main purpose of which is to conduct naval operations, including the landing and capture of coastlines, port cities, important strategic points, naval bases, and ships.

Marines - naval troops

The Marine Corps can be part of the Navy, or it can be a separate branch of the military, as we can see in the US Army.

At the moment, the American Army, whose marines number more than 200 thousand, is considered the most powerful in the world.

History of the Marine Corps

Marine Corps - history from ancient times

Contrary to many misconceptions, as history claims, the marine corps arose in the period of antiquity, although not in the form in which we are accustomed to think. The ancient Greeks used fighters called Epibates, who fought on the decks of ships and then fought on land, pursuing the enemy.

The Punic Wars - the first documentary mentions of the Marine Corps date back to this period. The Romans used special ships, on board which were military infantry, designed to board enemy ships. However, it should be noted that these soldiers did not have any special training, and therefore this branch of the military was just beginning to emerge.

History of Marines in the Middle Ages

1066- the Normans launched a successful attempt at a massive naval offensive on the shores of Britain, which was followed by fighting on land. William the Conqueror relied on the experience of the Vikings, for whom attack from the sea was perhaps the only battle tactic for many centuries.

Subsequent development of the Marine Corps

During the Early Modern period Marine detachments began to play a more significant role. These units were mainly used by the British. So, on frigates and battleships there were about 100-150 infantrymen, most often - 136, which made up a company.

136 infantry

was on frigates and battleships

Such a unit was commanded by a captain and several junior officers. The captain stood alongside the other officers on the ship and was often responsible for training the entire crew in close combat.

XV-XVIII century- the British used infantrymen as the core for all landing operations, but they rarely went into battle on their own, as there simply weren’t enough of them. The marines in Britain stood significantly above sailors and ordinary infantrymen.

Mid-18th century- The Marine Corps appeared in the USA. In France, it evolved significantly after the revolution and began to occupy a place between the regular army and the militia. She fought with both cold steel and small arms.

XVIII century- military leaders began to realize the need for the existence of troops that could effectively participate in landing operations, since the ground army and navy, without special training, did not cope with this task in the best way.

Marine Corps during the First World War

Early 20th century- the marines were instruments of colonial warfare. Such soldiers did not yet have any special training - they did not study in specialized schools and were armed like ordinary ground soldiers.

1915-1916- the Dardanelles operation was carried out, the essence of which was the landing of landing forces on Turkish territory. Due to the lack of preparations to capture the coastline, the British soldiers became bogged down in bloody combat and were forced to evacuate with heavy losses.

World War II

1940s- the government of leading countries realized that landing operations were a special type of combat operations, which required specially trained troops. The Marine was now a seaman capable of fighting on land, whereas previously he was regarded as a soldier assigned to a warship.

Picture - US Marine Corps during World War II

Fighting 1939-1945- The Marine Corps has ceased to be, in fact, infantry. These elite troops were intended to conduct amphibious operations, had their own tanks, aircraft, naval support and even parachute battalions. Members of the Marine Corps were given special status in the military.

Cold War

Second half of the 20th century- the Marine Corps is turning into specially trained special forces soldiers who are trained according to a special program and the requirements for candidates, as well as training, have become significantly more complicated.

To get into the ranks of the MP, one had to pass complex standards, since this kind of fighters must feel equally good in the ocean and on land. Service in the Marine Corps has become prestigious.

The Marine Corps fought and won the following conflicts:

Korean War;
Vietnam War;
Invasion of Grenada;
Falklands War;
War during the Suez Crisis.

US Navy Marines come ashore near the city of Da Nang in central Vietnam, April 10, 1965.

British troops land on the Falkland Islands. Falklands War. 1982

History of the Russian Marine Corps

By the way, the first naval regiment was convened by Emperor Peter the Great in 1705. It consisted of more than one and a half thousand soldiers who were specially trained to conduct landing operations in the Baltic Sea.

1714- the first successful use of special units in the history of the Russian Marine Corps. During the 18th century, the number of these units increased significantly, and they turned into battalions. Despite this, their numbers were small and there was no professional training among the infantry members.

19th century- Marine regiments are not going through the best of times - they are periodically formed and disbanded due to lack of experience in their use.

Photo of Russian Marines. Officers of the Russian Marine Corps, 19th century

Early 20th century- the emperor made the last attempts to restore the MP, but due to the critical situation in the country this was impossible.

1940s- the Soviet leadership realized the need to create MP units. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, their number was up to 200 thousand people. However, after the victory, the infantry units were disbanded again.

Marine K9

1963- a decree was adopted on the revival of MP regiments. Their numbers continue to grow rapidly due to the acute political situation in the world. Because of the Cold War, the government increased the composition of this type of troops, devoting more attention and funds to their training.

1967- USSR Marines take part in the Six-Day War in the Middle East. These elite units then took part in battles in Afghanistan and Chechnya. At this time, many fighters received the status of heroes and gained fame throughout the world for their exploits.

Marine Corps of the Russian Navy at the present stage

Officially in the Russian Federation, this branch of the military was created in 1992, which included soldiers of the USSR Navy. At the moment, there are about 35-40 thousand MP fighters in the ranks of the Russian armed forces.

Nowadays the Marine Corps is the pride of the Russian Federation. They have evolved into elite first responders, ready to conduct amphibious operations around the world.

Since 1996, in accordance with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, November 27 is celebrated as Russian Marine Corps Day.

Russian Marines

The Russian Navy is deployed in the following fleets:

Chernomorsky (the main forces are based in Sevastopol);
Baltic;
Pacific;
Northern and others.

Brigades of naval units

Among all the MP brigades that are part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, it is worth highlighting the following:

336th separate guards brigade MP - Baltiysk;
810th separate brigade of MP Zhukov - Sevastopol;
61st separate MP brigade - Murmansk;
155th separate MP brigade - Vladivostok;
727th separate MP battalion - Arkhangelsk.

The 83rd Separate Air Assault Brigade or ShDB, which is one of the most experienced in the country, deserves special attention. Its fighters took part in the defense of nuclear weapons and controlled their removal from Poland in the 1980s.

Military uniform of the Russian Marine Corps "Ratnik"

Armament of the Marine Corps of the Russian Navy

Since the Marines in the Russian Army are the pride and elite troops, they are equipped with the best firearms and bladed weapons. It is always characterized by lightness and reliability, since the Russian marine must always be ready to fight the enemy in unfavorable terrain.

The armament of a Russian MP fighter is as follows:

(an automatic weapon with a grenade launcher system, as well as the ability to install an optical sight, which turns it into a silent sniper rifle);

VVS or Vintorez(silent SV, capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 400 meters, also characterized by its small size and lightness);

NRS-2(a special knife that can be thrown at a distance of up to 25 meters, as well as deliver piercing and cutting blows in close combat).

In addition, AK-74 assault rifles continue to be actively used. The fighters are also equipped with grenades. Certain units of the Russian Marine Corps are armed with machine guns and anti-tank grenade launchers.

Uniform of Russian naval sailors

It is worth immediately noting that the form of MP can be of the following types:

casual;
front door;
field

The dress uniform is black. An integral part of any fighter is the beret, which is the signature symbol of this type of military.

The field uniform is camouflage - there is a summer and winter version. A mandatory element is a helmet and body armor, which can protect a soldier during combat operations.

We tried to briefly outline the combat path of the special forces of the Russian Navy. It is impossible to tell everything about the Marine Corps in one article. Its history is described in multi-volume works.

Black berets, black death... The nicknames of these fighters look rather gloomy and unfriendly - indeed, when meeting such soldiers, the enemy will immediately no longer think about easy money. Russian Marine Corps– today we are talking about these brave and courageous warriors. Let's look into history, find out what it's like to be a Marine and what an honor it is, and also touch on modern military events.

History of creation

Marines The Russian Federation has been tracing its history for more than three centuries. The date of formation of this type of troops is considered to be November 27, 1705. The date falls during the period of the Northern War with Sweden - of course, this is not an accident, since it was then that the army needed specially trained units of fighters who initially fired at enemy ships from afar, and when approaching, had to board the ship. This type of battle required courageous and courageous fighters, strong physically and mentally and possessing the proper dexterity.

Despite the fact that in the course of its history Marines was subject to disbandment and was rebuilt, the listed qualities are relevant to this day - it is quite difficult to become a Marine, therefore such troops rightfully bear the title of elite. The title of Marine itself is a source of pride, and to receive black beret or medal“For service in the Marine Corps” is a great honor that is truly worth a lot.

These distinctive signs are characteristic only of particularly distinguished fighters. However, the statistics of awards not only with departmental medals are impressive: over the period of the existence of the branch of service, Marines became Heroes of the Soviet Union 113 times, and 22 soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

Purpose

Of course, over time, technology, weapons and warships are improved. Along with this process, the priority task of the Russian Marine Corps units is changing. Much depends on the purpose of a particular unit, for example, airborne battalion or marine reconnaissance, so fighters find themselves on enemy territory in various ways:

The departments also face different tasks:

diverting attention to oneself for the purpose of safe approach of the main offensive forces;
capture of enemy-occupied territory, such as a coast or island, followed by defense;
assault on high-rise buildings and base fortifications in which enemy troops are located;
carrying out sabotage on enemy territory with fire support from aviation and navy.

Armament

In terms of equipment with weapons and their modifications, Marine Corps units can be compared with motorized rifle troops; on many points there will be similarities. The main type of small arms is the Kalashnikov assault rifle of the AKS-74M modification. Each department has one copy of the RPG-7, RPK and SVD. In addition, in any company there is a platoon of rocket and grenade launchers, in their hands are AGS-17 modifications of the “Flame”, as well as PKM.

The Marines are armed with both the Makarov pistol and the APS; officers, drivers, as well as some highly specialized specialists are equipped with such devices. Also, units can be equipped with RPG-18 (Mukha) and RPO-2 (Bumblebee), depending on the task. Among the mobile vehicles at the disposal of the Marine Corps units are the BTR-82A, BTR-80, as well as the special Zubr hovercraft (available in service in the Baltic Fleet).

How to become a Marine

It is impossible to be born a Marine, since such a profession is not just difficult work in difficult conditions, but also a special mindset that is achieved through experience and enormous training.

However, if a young man is impressed by the demonstration performances of black berets, and he is imbued with pride and the desire to become one of these fighters, then with a certain set of qualities the guy will not have to ask the military commissar for very long to send him to the desired troops. There is a certain list of qualities and indicators according to which candidates are given advantages and the right to be sent to serve in Marine Corps units:

excellent health, fitness category – exclusively “A”, the candidate should not have an addiction to cigarettes and alcohol, mental disorders, or diseases associated with the cardiovascular system;
a set of certain psychological and moral qualities, confidence, courage, self-control, prudence and ingenuity;
excellent physical fitness;
the presence of a category, as well as winning places in competitions in any sport, parachute jumping, shooting, wrestling, swimming or boxing.

If a young man can check all the boxes, then he has a very real chance of getting into a Marine unit. Another thing is that this is only initial testing. To test what a fighter is worth, one forced march is enough; here, not only physical, but also moral qualities are tested, since situations inevitably arise in which the fighter has a choice, and at the same time, not only his own life is in his hands.

Indeed, to become a Marine, you must first be imbued with the collective spirit, the spirit of the army family and brotherhood. Often candidates do not pass even the initial tests due to psychological aspects.

Those who successfully completed the initial tests will then undergo daily grueling training - after all, the Marine must be in full combat readiness at any second. Forced marches, tactical exercises with trips to the training ground, shooting, hand-to-hand combat the battle, parachute jumping, training landings behind the rear of a mock enemy, sudden alarms at night - all this happens continuously and turns the young man not only into a real man, but also into a professional fighter with an iron character.

Separately, special standards are passed for black beret- an honorary symbol of the Marine Corps, the right to wear which is a great honor and responsibility. Moreover, in order to motivate beret holders to constantly improve, there is an unofficial punishment in the form of deprivation of the right to wear an honorary

A powerful missile and bomb attack hits the deserted shore. Dozens of sea sand boil up with an explosion, a dense veil of smoke covers the entire coastline. All the sounds of an insane symphony are mixed into one growing roar, among which the noise of the running engines of armored vehicles and landing craft can be clearly heard. A couple of minutes later, armored personnel carriers quickly jump onto the sandy beach, from which the amphibious landing begins. This is roughly what the average person thinks of as the actions in modern combat of one of the elite military units - the Marine Corps of the Russian Navy.

In reality, everything looks far from being like that. The beautiful and impressive image of an amphibious landing gives way to a military operation in which the main aspects are secrecy, precision and surprise. Fleet landing operations in modern conditions are designed more for the element of surprise. Often there is a military need to covertly capture a coastal facility, disable coastal infrastructure, or occupy a certain territory in a short period of time. These and many other operational-tactical tasks can be solved by specially trained troops - naval special forces.

In the Russian Navy, these units are part of a separate branch of coastal troops, which is one of the most combat-ready and trained military formations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Marine Corps Day is considered one of the most glorious and interesting military holidays in Russia. Today, not a single military operation takes place without the participation of black berets; not a single military parade or parade of the Russian Armed Forces takes place without the participation of marines.

The military uniform of the Russian Navy Marine Corps cannot be confused with anything else. The Marine Corps beret, like the uniform of the units, is black.

History of the Marine Corps

Even in ancient times, wars were often fought in coastal areas. The main task of the warring parties was to capture coastal cities, through which the main trade took place, and through which the ground armies were supplied. The main instrument of struggle in those distant times was the infantry - a branch of the military capable of operating both on land and at sea. The Roman army is rightfully considered the ancestor and prototype of the modern marine corps. It was within its composition that the first infantry units and naval special forces, stationed on warships, appeared. The Roman legionary infantryman was excellent in the art of close combat, and this quality was successfully put into practice by the Romans.

This combat experience was adopted from the Romans by the armies of other states. Over time, infantry landing on enemy beaches became a key element of military strategy. A striking example of successful amphibious operations at sea are the military companies of the Vikings, who kept all of Western Europe at bay. Almost the entire military history is replete with examples of the successful use of such tactics in warfare. Special units or boarding teams began to appear in the military fleets of the leading maritime powers - a prototype of the marine corps, performing special tasks.

Today, almost any military fleet includes similar military formations. The Marine Corps is the main strike force of the US Army, acting in American interests in various naval theaters.

The Russian Navy and Marine Corps are the road to glory

For Russia, the impetus for the creation of special infantry units included in the structure of the navy was the Northern War. In the history of the formation of the Marine Corps, Peter I played a key role. Already under him, special marine infantry teams began to appear in the fleet, performing the function of boarding and assault groups. Having assessed the high efficiency of such units in battles with the Swedes, the Russian Tsar in 1705, by decree, formed a regiment of naval soldiers that was part of the Baltic Fleet. The date of the royal decree - November 27, 1705, is considered the starting point in the history of the emergence of a new type of army. Today November 27 is celebrated in Russia as Marine Corps Day.

The most striking example of the successful action of the first marine infantry teams was the Gangut naval battle, in which the Russian galley fleet boarded the Swedish squadron of Admiral Ehrenskiöld. Further, more than once, the Russian army, operating against Swedish troops in Finland and on the islands of the Gulf of Finland, used the practice of amphibious assaults, where the marines played a key role.

Since the time of Peter I, marine units began to play a key role in operations not only at sea, but also during the conduct of land campaigns by the Russian army. It is worth noting the successful action of Russian sailors during military operations in the Mediterranean Sea during the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774. In this naval theater of operations, the Russian marines showed examples of courage and high efficiency. The marine regiment, operating as part of the Baltic squadron of Admiral Spiridov, participated in the landing on the islands of the Archipelago and in the capture of Turkish fortresses. The marines later distinguished themselves under the command of Admiral Ushakov. Russian naval crews and marine units distinguished themselves during the assault on the French fortress on the island of Corfu.

The residents of Naples, liberated from French troops, greeted the Russian sailors with honors. During the military parade, in the front rows of the column of Russian troops there was a marine infantry team, whose soldiers distinguished themselves during military operations. The heroic defense of Sevastopol in 1854-1855 can rightfully be considered the formation of the Marine Corps. The city and the naval base of the Russian fleet held the defense against the Allied army for 11 months. It was here that the Russian sailors who came ashore carried out infantry tasks. The united French-British army, with the support of Turkish troops, could not take the sea stronghold for a long time. Russian sailors, already as infantry, not only successfully repelled the attacks of a superior enemy, stormed enemy trench lines and batteries, but also carried out sabotage and subversive work.

The Russian Marine Regiment even took part in the legendary Battle of Borodino, the largest land confrontation of the early 19th century.

New time

The experience of combat operations in the post-war period, when most of the ground operations were carried out by amphibious assault forces, proved the decision taken to be wrong. The US Marine Corps has become one of the instruments of the aggressive policy of the American naval forces in different regions of the globe. The Soviet top leadership decided to restore marine units to the military fleets. Throughout the 60s, the Soviet Navy underwent a long process of transformation, culminating in the emergence of a new type of coastal troops - the Marine Corps.

On the basis of the Belarusian Military District in 1963, the first full-fledged combat unit was created - the 336th separate marine regiment, based at the Baltiysk naval base. Subsequently, the Supreme Command of the Navy decided to form one brigade in each of the fleets. Smaller marine units were created in the Caspian Sea, on the Danube and on the Azov. Marine combat units were equipped with the most modern weapons. The Marine brigade included a wide variety of units, from rifle units to tank companies and artillery batteries. Fleets began to receive landing craft of various classes, capable of delivering a platoon of marines to enemy lines or ensuring the landing of a large military unit with heavy weapons on the coast of a potential enemy.

In the current Russian Navy, marine units play almost the decisive role in solving operational-tactical tasks. The regiment, which until recently was the main structural unit of this type of troops, is now a separate marine brigade, which includes a wide variety of weapons. Such large combat units have been created in all four fleets, in the Northern Fleet, in the Pacific Ocean, in the Baltic and in the Black Sea naval theater The Marines are entrusted with the functions of effectively countering the sabotage and espionage activities of the potential enemy Navy in the places where the fleet is deployed. Not a single military exercise of an operational-tactical or strategic scale is complete without Marine Corps units. Marine Corps Day has again become one of the main military-patriotic holidays.

The distinctive features of this type of troops are not only its high technical equipment, the specificity of combat missions and functions, but also its insignia. The Marine Corps flag is a blue cross of St. Andrew's on a red background. In the center of the flag there is the emblem of the Marine Corps, a gold anchor on a black circle.

The combat importance of marine brigades today is difficult to overestimate. These units are the most combat-ready in the Russian army and navy. Platoons, companies, regiments and brigades are equipped with advanced small arms and other military equipment.

Even during World War II, squads of Marines struck terror into German soldiers. Since then, the latter have been given a second name - black death or black devils, indicating inevitable reprisals against those who encroach on the integrity of the state. Perhaps this nickname has something to do with the fact that the infantryman wore a black peacoat. Only one thing is known for certain - if the enemy is afraid, then this is already the lion’s share of victory, and, as you know, the motto is considered a symbol of the Marine Corps: “Where we are, there is victory!”

Every infantryman was proud of his mission. In cases where it was necessary to fight while wearing a combined arms uniform, the soldiers did not part with their caps and vests. They went on the attack wide open, showing the enemy black and white stripes, instilling open terror on him.

History of the origin of the troops

During the reign of Ivan IV (the Terrible), the crews of all ships were supplemented by soldiers who were not sailors. These were separately created brigades consisting of archers. The first sailing ship "Eagle" was manned by Nizhny Novgorod archers by decree of the Tsar in 1669. Their task included boarding and landing actions. The first prototype of the Marines was also used for guard duty.

History includes the exploits of the Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments, which were formed on ships during the Azov campaigns. Not everyone knows that the commander of one of the companies of the naval regiment was Emperor Peter Romanov himself. Similar regiments equipped ships of the Azov and Baltic fleets.

The first victories of the then completely new formations occurred in 1701–1702. The Russian flotilla, consisting mostly of rowing ships, successfully fought with Swedish sailing ships on Lake Peipus and Ladoga. The Russian army owes its victory largely to the regiments of Ostrovsky, Shnevetsov and Tolbukhin, which served in the fleet, which were assigned to the fleet. Chroniclers noted that the infantrymen behaved boldly and decisively in battle.

If we are talking about the creation of the Marine Corps troops, then this event is closely connected with the name of Peter I. He summarized the experience of introducing ground forces into the fleet and in 1705 issued a decree according to which all squads of Cossacks and Streltsy were united, and the newly created formation was named "naval regiment" According to the new style, this decree is dated November 27, since then this date has been considered.

Black berets - the elite of the Russian troops

The events of the first Chechen war forced the command of the Russian army to resort to the help of marines. At that time, they turned out to be the most prepared for real combat operations. The soldiers accomplished a real feat during the assault on Grozny. Sixteen infantrymen were awarded the Hero Star. Unfortunately, there were casualties; 178 people died during the first campaign. The contribution that the Marines made to the history of the Chechen conflict will at all times be considered as a manifestation of the true professionalism of the Russian soldier.

Vitaly Ryabov

I have conscription service behind me, and then contract service. Now retired.

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