The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps is the marine corps of the Netherlands. It was founded on 10 December 1665 by the unofficial leader of the republic Johan de Witt and Admiral Michiel de Ruyter.
It is claimed that the Netherlands Marine Corps is the second oldest military unit in the world that is still in existence (after the Vatican's Swiss Guard).
The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps motto still is Qua Patet Orbis (Wherever the World Extends).
The cooperation between the RNLMC and the British Royal Marines within NATO is seen as the prime example of what can be achieved in military integration.
The RNLMC and Royal Marines have a long history of cooperation. During combined actions by the British and Dutch navies during the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), amphibious operations were carried out, the most notable being the Siege of Gibraltar in 1704. During this action, a successful attack was carried out against the fortress of Gibraltar by an 1800-strong brigade of Dutch and British Marines under the command of Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt. Both corps share this battle honour.
"To Dare & To Conquer",
"Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations from Achilles to Al Qaeda"