Fully integrated into the Spanish Navy's structure, the branch's history dates back to 1537 when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor formed the Compañías Viejas del Mar de Nápoles, making it the oldest marine unit in existence.

This was a pure naval power projection ashore by forces deployed from ships that could maintain their ability to fight despite being based on board.

Their mission was to form the "Main body of landing columns and ship's soldiers tasks" in a time that boarding was still a critical part of battle at sea.

By this time, the mission of the marines changed from naval garrison troops, to a landing force serving mainly in the colonies.

The colonial wars in the Philippines and on Cuba, with constant landing operations, lead to a reorganization of the marines into three brigades of two regiments each.

At the end of the World War I, the Battle of Gallipoli made almost all countries abandon the idea of amphibious assault.

After the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931, the reforms of the armed forces introduced by newly nominated Republican Minister of War Manuel Azaña within the first months of the new government sought to disband the corps.

During the bitterly fought war the Marines performed garrison duties, led landing parties, and provided expert artillery and machine gun crews.

In 1957, the Grupo Especial Anfibio (Amphibious Special Group) was created, and the Spanish Marine Infantry returned to its primary duty as a Landing Force Mission.

The capabilities and strength of the Spanish Marine Infantry were increased: new amphibious vehicles, anti-tank weapons, individual equipment and artillery.

The Tercio de Armada (TEAR) became the main amphibious unit and has experienced several restructures that led to the E-01 Plan, which defines the requirements and structures from the year 2000 for the Spanish Marine Infantry.

Its ability to embark on a short term notice with (land, air and naval) Navy assets, makes it a unit with a high strategic value.

Adding to this a high degree of training, and the capability to deploy swiftly in international waters, results in a potent dissuasive force available at a short notice in distant regions.

Spanish Marines have modern assets to comply with its mission, having personnel specialised in artillery, sapping, helicopters, special operations, communications, tanks, among others.

FUPRO is commanded by a brigadier general and is made up of the following battalion sized Tercios (En:Thirds): See article: Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial The Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial (FGNE) is the special operations force of the Spanish Navy specializing in maritime, land and coastal environments.

[9] These units are grouped into elements with the following main tasks: The Compañía Mar Océano de la Guardia Real was created on 1 December 1981 as part of the Royal Guard.

[11] The Naval Police Units are basically organized for the performance, both in peace and in war, of specific security and order missions.

While she remained active, the Spanish aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias (R11) had an assigned section of embarked Marines who were responsible for the security and control of the vessel, conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) using helicopters or RIBs.

Marines let's go fight The Homeland enlarge and its glory increase nobility and bravery our emblems are: not abandon the ensign to the noise of the cannon why die for it It is our obligation.

Marines let's go fight The Homeland enlarge and its glory increase nobility and bravery our emblems are: not abandon the ensign to the noise of the cannon why die for it It is our obligation

In 1970, it performed in the International Contest of Military Music Bands held in Valencia in 1970, in which its bandsmen obtained 1st prize.