A Marine, also called a Leatherneck because of the tall leather neckpiece of the 18th and 19th century uniforms, is a soldier who serves at sea and in special missions on land and in the air. Marines also serve in amphibious operations—seaborne operations that involve naval, air, and land forces. In amphibious operations, marines attack from the sea to capture important enemy-held islands, beaches, or other locations on shore. By going ashore first, marines prepare the way for other soldiers to land and build bases or fight the enemy. Some marine forces perform special or difficult missions, such as nighttime raids and actions against terrorists. Nearly all of the major maritime nations maintain marine forces or some type of naval infantry.
In the 1600's, nations began to organize permanent armed forces. Both England and the Netherlands recognized the need for regular troops aboard their warships. The British formed a corps of marines in 1664, and the Dutch did so in 1665. When the American Colonies revolted in 1775, the Continental Congress organized a force of marines modeled after the British Royal Marines. They were deactivated after the war, but Congress permanently re-established The Marine Corps in July, 1798. In the 1900's, marine forces began to develop ways of getting soldiers ashore more quickly. Legendary for their toughness, rigid codes of behavior, and adaptability, they have played an important role in almost every major war and conflict of the 19th and 20th centuries.