Back Cos d'Infanteria de Marina de la República de la Xina Catalan Námořní pěchota Čínské republiky Czech Cuerpo de Marines de la República de China Spanish سپاه تفنگداران دریایی تایوان Persian Corps des fusiliers marins de la république de Chine French Korps Marinir Republik Tiongkok ID 中華民国海軍陸戦隊 Japanese 중화민국 해군육전대 Korean 中華民國海軍陸戰隊 Chinese
| Republic of China Marine Corps | |
|---|---|
| 中華民國海軍陸戰隊 | |
 Emblem of the Republic of China Marine Corps with the map of ROC claimed lands of mainland China, Outer Mongolia, and Russia. | |
| Active | 1914–1946 1947–present |
| Country |  Republic of China (Taiwan) |
| Type | Marines |
| Role | Amphibious warfare Anti-aircraft warfare Artillery observer Close-quarters battle Coastal defence Combined arms Counter-battery fire Electronic warfare Fire support Force protection HUMINT Indirect fire Intelligence assessment Jungle warfare Maneuver warfare Military engineering Military intelligence Naval boarding Raiding Reconnaissance SIGINT Urban warfare |
| Size | 10,000 active personnel (2023)[1] |
| Part of |  Republic of China Navy |
| Headquarters | Zuoying, Kaohsiung, Republic of China (Taiwan) |
| Motto(s) | 永遠忠誠 "Forever Loyal" (Semper Fidelis) |
| March | 海軍陸戰隊隊歌 "Marine Corps Song" |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander of Marine Corps Command |  Lieutenant-General Fan Chuan-sheng |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
| Unit colour |  |
The Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC; historically as the Chinese Marine Corps, colloquially the Taiwanese Marine Corps) is the only marine corps of the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) responsible for amphibious warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, combined arms operations, naval boarding, providing security at naval base or shore stations, and counter-landing and reinforcement of the areas under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (ROC), including the island of Taiwan, Kinmen, and the Matsu Islands, and defense of ROCN facilities, also functioning as a rapid reaction force and a strategic reserve capable of amphibious assaults.[2][3]
Established in 1914 on mainland China, the ROCMC is considered the most selective branch within the ROC Armed Forces.[4] The ROC Marines have gained much publicity for the "Road to Heaven" phase of one of their training courses[5] which is the final phase of the 10-week long selection program for their special forces, the Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit.[6]
The ROC Marine Corps' official motto is "Forever Loyal" (pinyin: Yǒngyuǎn zhōngchéng), the Chinese translation of "Semper Fidelis".[7] The ROC Marines train with the USMC though these are generally classified, unofficial, or with trainees officially considered by either side as "observers."[8][9][10]
- ^ IISS (2023). The Military Balance 2023. International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 293.
- ^ Easton, Ian; Wu, Dee (June 15, 2017). "Bolstering Taiwan's Last Line of Defense". The Diplomat.
- ^ Edmonds & Tsai 2006, pp. 117–118.
- ^ Thompson, Leroy (October 21, 2014). "ROC Military: Taiwan's Top Tier". Tactical-life.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019.
- ^ "The 'Road to Heaven,' one of Taiwan's most brutal military training events". Business Insider.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (November 10, 2008). "FEATURE: ARPU celebrates its 28th year with military drill". Taipei Times.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
culturewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Taiwan marines trained with US forces in 2017". April 12, 2018.
- ^ "Reports alleging US Marines conduct training". May 14, 2019.
- ^ Rej, Abhijnan (November 11, 2020). "US Marine Raiders Arrive in Taiwan to Train Taiwanese Marines". The Diplomat.