Early History

• Early Marines served on both land and sea.u.s.s. constellation cannons image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.com
  
  Early Marines served on both land and sea. In March 1776, Marines carried out the first amphibious raid in a foreign land when they came ashore in the Bahamas. When the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, both the Navy and the Marines were disbanded. On July 11, 1798, the Marines were formally brought back for good and have served ever since. Their most famous early military operations came against the famed Barbary pirates in 1804.
  
  

Later History

• Marines fought on and captured the island of Iwo Jima in World War II.marine memorial iwo jima image by Michael Drager from Fotolia.com
  
  In World War I, Marines on French battlefields came to be known as "Devil Dogs" by German soldiers. Several famous South Pacific battles in World War II were fought by U.S. Marines, including Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Marines distinguished themselves in the Korean War and in Vietnam and have served at sea on Navy ships, in the air and on land all around the world. Since 1991, they've fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
  
  

Significance

• Marines can fight on land, in the air and from the sea.Vietnam War Memorial image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.com
  
  The Marines were once looked upon as being a small landing force for use by Navy ship commanders. Eventually, they came to be skilled at fighting as a heavy force on land, in the air and from the sea as amphibious landing forces. Marines train to be able to load themselves and their equipment quickly onto Navy ships and military aircraft. Once loaded, they can go ashore quickly, then make a forced entry into enemy-held territory.
  
  

Function

• Marines have proven to be skilled at urban warfare.Marine Standing Proud image by aqbenkie from Fotolia.com
  
  Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Marines have mainly functioned as land-based combat and air forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Marines arrived in both those countries in several different ways. Some came from Navy ships while others were transported by military aircraft. They've proven themselves skilled at urban warfare in Iraq, at the Second Battle of Fallujah in November and December of 2004. Military commanders prize Marines for their mobility and flexibility in battle.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Marines operate in the air.f22 raptor fighter jet landing image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.com
  
  The Marine Corps serves with the Navy through the Department of the Navy. Marines are able to deploy quickly to any spot on the globe in which a U.S. military presence is required. They've also aided humanitarian efforts during the 2005 tsunami in Indonesia and in support of earthquake victims in Haiti. Because they can be deployed quickly, their primary purpose has been to bring U.S. combat power to bear when and where needed and for as long as needed.