Comments on: The Fitness And State Of Mind Of A Royal Marines Commando

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:19:15 +0000

Hey Guys,

I’m currently in training with the Royal Marine Reserves, just finished wet and dry.. have to say it was a horrible experience, but loved the comaderie straight after

Even though I am in training and i’m not as experienced as a few guys on here, the USMC are extremely arrogant and they feel so threatened that the Royal Marines are better, that they have to come on here and start abusing the Bootnecks. It’s slightly annoying that a few USMCs think our workouts are sissy as well. USMCs have no clue what our training is like, they have no clue how hard our workouts are, and they will never know what it takes to become a RMC. I am proud to say I am training to become a Royal Marines Commando with the best, and i’m so proud I would gladly be submissive so as to keep the Royal Marine Commando training a secret to any of the USMCs

By: Chas.

Chas. — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:44:51 +0000

Thank goodness for the voice of experience.
Ernst knows the score- Per Mare per Terram/SemperFidelis.
RMV202910 20/06/1956 Mne. 2Lt RM 17/04/59 etc.etc.
RMA Life Member- Green Beret RM Cdo Association-Member.

By: Peas&Gravy

Peas&Gravy — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:00:40 +0000

At 32 years of age and an ex soldier I’m about to embark on my eight month basic and Commando training. Luckily due to my previous military career I had a relatively good idea about what training was needed in order for me to pass my fitness assesment and three day PRMC at the CTCRM. I knew when I decided I wanted to enlist into the Royal Marines as a Royal Marines’ Commando, I would have to train harder than the average enlist, purely because of my age. The maximum age for enlistment into the Naval Service is 33 years of age (32 years and 364 days to be precise). I concentrated mainly on running and circuit training. For running I decided on one session of steady state running, one of Fartlek training and one of Interval training which I did on a gradual but steep hill near my home. Circuit training I kept short and sweet, three sets. Sets one and three I carried out the same number of reps/exercise, and set two I increased my repetitions by two to five. I never spent a penny on going to the gym. Gyms and health clubs are full of grunting poseur’s, who are more concerned about their fashion sense than getting a good sweat on (the mirror’s are for checking form guy’s). If you want to pass your Fitness Assesment and PRMC with the hope of getting into the CTCRM for training, then stick to the training programme which can be found on the official Royal Marines website, that’s all you need. Usually those with the big mouth’s, gobbing off about who’s better than who have never been in the Armed Forces (in any country), don’t be put off by these plastic tough guy’s who probably work in an office from 9 till 5. If you want it got for it.

By: Fraser

Fraser — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:48:08 +0000

I’m sorry, some yank was just running his mouth off about the RM having a ’sissy’ workout and that if you want to see real men take a look at the Navy SEALs. What!? This workout, as mentioned, is short and tough because it’s supposed to be possible to complete anywhere around the world, presumably the RM don’t do this workout once or twice a week, and presumably it’s accompanied by various other horrifically tough exercises, cardio, weights etc. Plus, the US marines are not as disciplined or efficient or as tough as their British betters, and the SEALs are lesser men in comparison to the SBS. You may have heard of the SBS, they were responsible for (among other things) investigating the Normandy beaches ahead of the invasion.

By: Ernst

Ernst — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:02:01 +0000

No comparison!! I’m retired USMC, and i served with Royal Mrines
on numerous occasions and they are the best. I would doubt even 1%
of U.S. Marines could make it through Royal Marine basic training.I
don’t even want to talk about the SAS/SBS. THey are over the top.
Here’s another thought, the French Foreign Legion. I know a Marine
who ran the legions O-Course down in French Guyana and only about 10% finished the course and it took them at minimum 3 times as long. U.S. Marines are good at what they do but they should never be included in the same sentence with Royal Marines. Look what the Royal Marines/Paras did in the Falklands in 82. Tough SOB’s hands down.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:13:40 +0000

Royal Marine Training: 32 weeks – Officer: 15 months
USMC Training: 13 weeks

The Americans have always fought on a broad front, and its always gone wrong. The British military is taught how to think, not what to think. They don’t require some Colour Sergeant (or Gunnery in your case) constantly bellowing down their ear.

I caught a clip of “Commando: On The Front Line” where there where a couple of YO’s doing an exercise with the USMC, and on a number of occassions the US Marines had to stop and cool off in the river because they simply couldn’t keep up.

Back to training. before you do the PRMC, or POC, you must complete a 2.4 Km run in 12 minutes 30 seconds, take a one minute break, then another 2.4 Km run in 10 minutes 30 seconds.

By: Smith

Smith — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:01:08 +0000

What do the Royal Marines and former Marines do to stay fit? Other than what has been posted. I am a fitness addict.

By: 0311

0311 — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:22:34 +0000

I’m a US Marine thats fought in Iraq and I have trained with other countries so I can say that I have a lot of respect for the Royal Marines. They bust their ass but as far as combat goes there is nobody in the world that is a better fighting force than the United States Marines. The Royal Marines are tough asses with extremely tough phyiscal training but aren’t yet on our level. I’ve trained with the best from several countries, and that includes Navy SEALS and have not seen a better force in the field than the US Marines.

By: geno

geno — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:13:57 +0000

what are the rest of the enterance requirements for the royal marines? As a US citizen i can’t enlist in the royal marines, but if i can meet the standards of your finest surely the United States Marine Corps will accept me.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:03:23 +0000

im the same dude, just think of it for the end goal, ten minutes on a treadmill is worth it isnt it?

By: bigbadhumph

bigbadhumph — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:36:12 +0000

thanks for that rich, i phoned the marines career office yesterday as this run was really worrying me and they told me i’ve got to do it in 10mins 30secs now so i feel a little more content about it. because it’s done on a treadmill, which was my concern as i hate them, it as eased the pressure. i can do it on the road as i’ve already test myself i done a 1.5 miler in 9 mins 10secs on the road but i think the treadmills are not the best way to test the time allowed plus they are unbelievably boring

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:09:37 +0000

Run mate, just keep running.
run 4 or 5 times a week for about the distance you say you are doing and just push it harder and harder every time.

By: bigbadhumph

bigbadhumph — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:48:11 +0000

i would just like to say the royal marines kick some serious ass!!! i am joining the r.m but i am very worried about the physical fitness test, the 1.5 mile run!!! because i’m not the tallest lad in the world, i feel i’m at a slight disadvantage for making it in 9 min 15 secs. i have been running very regular at 4-5 miles at a time. my upper body strength is fine but the run is worrying me. any suggestions would be great.

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:32:54 +0000

can i just point out that i made no opinion on this subject and so to ignore my comment on the same basis as the point i made would be inappropriate.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:37:00 +0000

point taken, i’d prefer you to be direct with me rather than try n pump me ego up for a let down. you have shut me up good and proper ha
cheers for the advice anyway

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:34:25 +0000

In Answer to Rich, I don’t mean to be patronising, but I have made my point clear to the US Sailor for reasons that you can not possibly understand yet. If or when you complete Commando training you will do. This brings me on to another point, that as you point out, the US sailor probably has no soldioring experience and should therefore be ingnored. However, as you haven’t even started basic training yet, neither do you. Therefore should we ignor your opinion as well. If or when you become a Bootneck, then you have the right to refer to us as “we” and until then I suggest you don’t speak as if you are one already.
Anyway, that’s the rant over. I may sound arrogant, but you will soon understand that these things are important to us.

With regards to your training. No matter how hard you push yourself now, and how fit you think you are, or where you think your limits are, it will very soon be made clear to you that you are wrong. Believe me there will be plenty of opportunities for your eye balls to blead during commando training.
To be honest, obviously you need to have very good level of basic fitness before starting, but you don’t need to try to be super human (you’ll be taught that!) All the physical training is progressive so you’ll start off in the gym, concentrating on CV, then progressing to the “bottom Field” then getting gradually more weight on you for phys sessions and also speed marches, no one is going to expect you to do a thirty miler in week 2!
To that end, there is really very little point in thrashing yourself now. If you have a good level of fitness it will obviously help you and you won’t stand out as being a biff! However what will really hold you up is if you’re carrying an injury before you even start, because it will for sure not get any better when you’re in training.
The best phys you can do in my opinion, is to concentrate on CV to prepare for the early part of training, but also do some yomping over moorland with weight and boots. It doesn’t need to be huge weight, but it will just prepare your body for things to come. Do not run with weight yet, there’s not need, they will bring you on to that, and you’ll only injure yourself.

As for SBS, it’s great to have ambition. However, you would not believe the amount of people who say they want to go SB at the start, but funnily enough they don’t ever do it. My advice to you would be take one step at a time, get Commando training cracked first and then have a think about it. There’s plenty of other paths you can take, particularly as an officer, and you’ll have a much better idea of them by time you finish training.

I hope this has been of help, I make no apologies if I was direct, get used to it! GOOD LUCK!!!

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:08:24 +0000

Im joining the Royal marines as an officer around september time hopefully. Can i just point out that US sailor didnt even claim to have any solidering background and therefore we can completely ignore their opinion on this and move on no point wasting our time insulting someone we dont know.
one thing i have found hard to do during my training is knowing when to stop, i always like to keep on going and going until i feel dead on my feet. with the worry of overtraining and injury i know i should but i think its because i am trying to force the determination of a commando into my head before i get there. Either way i want to go int the SBS so i think i should be training til my eyeballs bleed. agree/disagree?

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:54:43 +0000

The USMC – ‘All the Gear no idea’

By: Dont_Know

Dont_Know — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:28:09 +0000

Erm ok well i just went for a 2 day Selection Test for the Army and after passing this I was then told that i was “Too Young” in the final Interview so they will not be placing me in Basic for the Rifles.
This annoyed me and knocked my confidence and made me feel pretty shit, so I looked up about the RMCs.
I was wondering if someone can Email me and let me know if there is any ways i can perpare myelf if i were to under go the selection and training.

Thanks!

By: co-mac

co-mac — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:13:18 +0000

Great article mate.. I must say, that defiantly cleared a few cob webs. I fly to London (from fiji) early jan 09 to begin my recruitment process for the royal marines and I can not wait. Just one question, how hard/easy is the recruitment process at the careers office, I mean my physical fitness is fine it?s the written tests im worried about. I was not the most cleverest at school and I would be greatfull if you can you give me a heads up on what I am going to face. Thank you