The Troupes de Marine or TDM, sometimes simply referred to as "French Marines" in English, are one of the major components of the French Army and comprise several specialties: infantry, airborne, armoured cavalry, artillery, engineering, and transmissions (signals). Characterized by their fundamental vocation for service beyond the seas, including in French overseas territories and, formerly, in French colonies, the Marines have taken part in all French military campaigns since the corps' foundation, both on home soil and in theaters of operations around the world. They are stationed in Metropolitan France, in many French overseas departments and territories, as well as in Africa.
Troupes de marine
Soldier of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine during the Seven Years' War. Musée de l'Armée (Armed Forces Museum).
Helmet of Colonial Troupes.
A "marsouin" standing guard at the Gare de Lyon in 2016.
The French Army, officially known as the Land Army, is the principal land warfare force of France, and the largest component of the French Armed Forces; it is responsible to the Government of France, alongside the French Navy, French Air and Space Force, and the National Gendarmerie. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Staff of the French Army (CEMAT), who is subordinate of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CEMA), who commands active service Army units and in turn is responsible to the President of France. CEMAT is also directly responsible to the Ministry of the Armed Forces for administration, preparation, and equipment.
The French Royal Army at the Battle of Denain (1712)
The Gardes françaises at the Battle of Fontenoy (1745)
Entry of Napoleon into Berlin by Charles Meynier. After defeating Prussian forces at Jena, the Grande Armée entered Berlin on 27 October 1806
The Battle of Magenta