Portuguese Marine Corps
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The Portuguese Navy Marines, presently named Corpo de Fuzileiros (Fusilier Corps), are a force of about 2000 men organized in a Base, a School, two Naval Infantry Battalions, a Special Actions Detachment, a Naval Police Unit, plus other support units, like dive sappers. They are available for any mission, from humanitarian missions abroad to the defense of the Portuguese coast.
The Portuguese Marines were created in 1621 as the Terço da Armada da Coroa de Portugal (Regiment of the Navy of the Crown of Portugal) becoming an elite unit and receiving the responsibility for the guard of the King. Later the force was expanded for two infantry and one artillery regiment.
In 1797, the three regiments were merged into the new Royal Brigade of the Navy. Because of the invasion of Portugal by the Napoleon's army, in 1808, this Brigade went to Brazil with the Portuguese Royal Family.
