Army and Navy Uniforms and Insignia / How to Know Rank, Corps and Service in the Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Foreign Countries

by Dion Williams

Uniforms of the British Royal Marines

The Royal Marines perform duties similar to those performed by the United States Marines both afloat and ashore and hold a high record for efficiency and loyalty. They are divided into two branches, the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry, the former being popularly known as the “Blue Marines” on account of the fact that their dress coats are of blue cloth and the latter as the “Red Marines” since their dress coats are of red cloth.

Both branches are also provided with khaki-colored uniforms for field service ashore.

The rank of the officers is indicated by insignia of rank worn on the shoulder straps, these insignia being the same for the various ranks as those worn by officers of the British Army.

The titles for the different grades of rank of the officers are the same as those for the British Army, namely, General, Lieutenant General, Major General, Brigadier General, Colonel, Major, Captain, Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant.

The ranks of the enlisted men are indicated by badges or chevrons worn upon the sleeves between the shoulder seam and the elbow, as follows:

Sergeant Major	The coat of arms of Great Britain in gold, red and white embroidery.
Quartermaster Sergeant of Infantry	A British crown in gold and red embroidery.
Quartermaster Sergeant of Artillery	Two crossed cannon in gold with a British crown above them embroidered in gold and red.
Quartermaster Sergeant, Musketry Instructor	Two crossed rifles in gold with the crown in gold and red above them.
Sergeant	A chevron of three stripes worn with the points down.
Corporal	A chevron of two stripes worn with the points down.
Lance Corporal	A chevron of one stripe worn with the point down.
Private	No distinctive badge.

The Corps insignia of the Royal Marines are the eastern hemisphere in silver surrounded by a gold laurel wreath, the insignia being surmounted by two gold cannon crossed for the Marine Artillery and by gold bugle trumpet for the Marine Light Infantry. These insignia are commonly referred to in the British service as “The Globe and Laurel.”