Editing Navy (section)

== Naval infantry ==
{{main|Marines}}
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2018}}
[[File:22nd MEU Storms Beach During Bright Star DVIDS212393.jpg|thumb|[[22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit]] conducting a beach landing exercise.]]
Naval infantry, commonly known as [[marines]], are a category of infantry that form part of a state's naval forces and perform roles on land and at sea, including [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious operations]], as well as other, naval roles. They also perform other tasks, including land warfare, separate from naval operations.

During the era of the [[Roman empire]], naval forces included marine [[Legionary|legionaries]] for [[Naval boarding|maritime boarding actions]]. These were troops primarily trained in land warfare, and did not need to be skilled at handling a ship. Much later during the age of sail, a component of marines served a similar role, being ship-borne soldiers who were used either during boarding actions, as sharp-shooters, or in raids along shorelines.

The Spanish ''[[Infantería de Marina]]'' was formed in 1537, making it the oldest, current marine force in the world. The [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Marines]] combine being both a ship-based force and also being specially trained in [[commando]] [[frogman]]-style operations and tactics, operating in some cases separately from the rest of the Royal Navy. The Royal Marines also have their own [[special forces]] [[Special Boat Service|unit]].

In the majority of countries, the marine force is an integral part of the navy but there are variations such as the French [[Troupes de marine]], which is actually part of the [[French Army]]. The [[United States Marine Corps]] is a separate armed service within the United States Department of the Navy, with its own leadership structure.