ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of the Royal Marines

Hey kiddo! Do you know what the Royal Marines are? They are a group of soldiers who work for the Navy of the United Kingdom. They are very special because they are very good at fighting on both land and sea.

The Royal Marines have been around for a really long time, even before you or I were born! They were first created in the year 1664, which is over 350 years ago. They were originally known as the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot, which is a very fancy name, but now we just call them the Royal Marines for short.

Lots of things have happened to the Royal Marines over the years. They have fought in many battles and wars, like the Napoleonic Wars, World War I and World War II. They have also been to lots of countries doing their work, like South Africa, the Falkland Islands, and Iraq.

The Royal Marines are also famous for being really tough and strong. They have to pass a really hard test called the "Commando Course" to be a fully trained Royal Marine. This test includes things like running, swimming, climbing, and even carrying a heavy backpack while running up a really big hill. It's not easy, but the Royal Marines are very proud to be part of such a special group.

So kiddo, that's a little bit about the history of the Royal Marines. They are a really important part of the UK's military, and we should be grateful for all the hard work that they do to protect our country.