Marines

The **Marines** are the World Government's military sea force, tasked with law enforcement, international security, and military operations. They are present in all the seas around the world, as evidenced by their branch offices. However, the main focus of their assets is on the far more dangerous Grand Line. The Marines are one of the Three Great Powers in the world, alongside the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who were later replaced by the SSG.

## Duties

The duty of the Marines is to maintain a law and order throughout the world and impose the will and might of the World Government. The main purpose of the Marines is bringing any criminal to justice, with a particular focus on capturing pirates. They use justice as their constituted policy to manage a world that is made almost entirely of ocean much easier. They are generally divided between those who support Moral Justice and those who support Absolute Justice, with the latter being the code of conduct for the Marines as a central doctrine.

Amongst their duties is awarding bounty hunters the bounties for the head of a criminal. They tolerate bounty hunters as a method of making their jobs easier, but are known to go out bounty hunting themselves. Apprehended criminals who are brought in alive are handed over to be made an example of. The Marines are left to ensure the transportation of these criminals to prison and/or to their execution.

Higher-ranked Marines (admirals and the feet admiral) are expected to be on call to lead the Marine forces into war. This may take the form of apprehending many criminals at once, protecting the World Nobles, or calling a Buster Call to tackle a situation. Vice admirals are the ones who serve on the ships that the admirals call out, and are tasked with carrying out the admirals' orders exactly.

Some high-ranking Marines are also involved in infiltrating notorious and/or dangerous pirate crews. The goals for infiltration may vary, from attempting to stop the intake of recruits to monitoring their activities. Also, high-ranking Marines may even be involved in the apprehension of notorious pirates and/or other criminals, to the extent that even an admiral can be tasked to do the job, as seen when Admiral Fujitora was dispatched by Fleet Admiral Sakazuki to arrest Monkey D. Luffy and Trafalgar D. Water Law.

## Ranks

The system of military rank in place for the Marines is fairly straightforward, where each rank is clearly outlined. The Marines can be divided into two basic categories: Officers and Infantry. The officers hold a position of leadership while the infantry carry out the officers orders. A Marine force will usually consist of one or two officers and multiple infantry soldiers.

Commanding Marines often work in pairs, with one superior officer and a second-in-command, or a subordinate who is of a lower rank. These partnerships may remain even during promotions, with both Marines advancing in rank together. In the pair, the higher ranked officer will give the orders to those under their command, while the other acts as an advisor or information gatherer while ensuring their partner's command is undertaken by the subordinates.

Higher ranking Marines are noticeably stronger than lower ranked ones; the admirals in particular are known as the world government's ultimate powerhouses. Officers and recruits stationed at Marine Headquarters are considered "super-elites". All ranks present from "Lieutenant" above are usually trained here, exceptions being those in command of other Marine bases, which includes Axe-Hand Morgan and Nezumi.

It appears that higher ranked Marine Officers have the authority to poach subordinates from Marine Officers of a lower rank, as seen when Vice Admiral Garp transferred Koby and Helmeppo to his command from Commander Ripper.

The ranks within the Marines from highest to lowest are as follows:

### Commissioned Officers

* Fleet Admiral
* Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Rear Admiral
* Commodore
* Captain
* Commander
* Lieutenant Commander
* Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Junior Grade
* Ensign

### Infantry and Sailor Division

* Warrant Officer
* Master Chief Petty Officer
* Chief Petty Officer
* Petty Officer
* Seaman First Class
* Seaman Apprentice
* Seaman Recruit or Recruit

### Special Ranks

* Inspector General
* Instructor

### Positions

* Captain of the Science Unit
* Captain of SWORD
* Director of Marine Bureau of Investigation