The former infantry oriented rapid reaction force was transformed into the Marine Corps under the new direction considering the archipelagic and maritime nature of the country and to that effect having felt the need to incorporate marine tactics into the force which largely cater for amphibious and rapid deployment capabilities.

It is structured into Marine Deployment Units (MDUs) which is centered on an infantry organization and acts as force projection elements of the MNDF by closely working with the Coast Guard.

The administrative duties of the force such as organizing, equipping, posting, assigning and so forth are discharged through the Principal Director of the Marine Corps.

In addition to their Key Point Defence roles, the major offensive operational tasks of the Marine Corps during a hostile situation will be to perform zone reconnaissance, to undertake amphibious assaults, to secure beach-heads, to exploit breakthroughs and conduct close quarter combat and other combined arms operations.

Thus, the MNDF marines undergo an annual cycle of rigorous infantry oriented training which is generally of amphibious nature.