THE head of the US Marines stationed in Darwin has reportedly been stood down after he was caught drink-driving at more than double the legal limit on the city’s infamous night strip.

Colonel James Schnelle pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court on Monday to driving with a medium-range blood alcohol level of .102 in the early hours of a Sunday morning last month.

The court this morning heard that the commander failed a random breath test on Darwin’s Mitchell Street on September 30.

No conviction was recorded, but the Colonel was issued a $500 fine plus a $150 levy and had his driver’s license suspended for six months.

The court heard Colonel Schnelle had also been stood down from his job of commanding the largest-ever contingent of Marines to rotate through the Top End, the ABC reports.

“This is a man of very high character, he has no convictions anywhere in the world and has contributed immensely to society,” Colonel Schnelle’s lawyer told the court.

“The US Marines are going to deal with him very harshly.”

About 800 US Marines are currently stationed in Darwin, with another 600 on the East Coast.

Earlier this year, then-Defence Minister Marise Payne said the increased Marine rotation underscored the commitment of both the Australian and US Governments to the full implementation of the United States Force Posture Initiatives.

“These Initiatives strengthen the ability of Australia and the US to work together, and with regional partners, in the interests of regional stability and security,” she said.

“During major exercises the rotation will include additional equipment and assets such as AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters, UH-1Y Venom helicopters, F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and MC-130 Hercules aircraft.

“During the six-month training period, the US Marines are expected to participate in 15 training activities alongside the ADF.

“Other regional nations, including Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and many more will also participate in or observe some of these training activities.”

The US Marines are expected to complete the rotation of training in Australia this month.