Royal Marine is a special force unit, which specializes in exceptional maritime operations. This special force is used to conduct recon, raids and even counter-terrorist operations in a maritime environment. These commandoes conduct special training sessions with other branches of the army. Apart from maritime training these commandoes are trained on various warfare situations such as mountain warfare and quick reaction sessions. Royal Marine commandoes are trained in such a way that they can be deployed quickly in any terrain.
Royal Marine Commandoes are always kept on a high alert in order to be deployed anytime in the area of operation. These groups work as mobile and balanced amphibious warfare force. Royal Marine Commando training is the longest basic modern infantry training program when compared to training of any other combat groups. Royal Marine Commando is the only force in which the officers and other ranks are trained at the same location. Before the commandoes begun any practical training, theoretical training on imparted to them. The first weeks of training are spent learning basic skills which will be used later this includes lots of time spent on the parade grounds and on the rifle ranges.
In pursuit of an educational program to suit the bright and the not so bright, we have watered down a rigid training for the elite until we now have an educational diet in many of our public high schools that nourishes neither the classes nor the masses.... We must evolve an adjustable curriculum which does not sacrifice the superior student to the drones at a period in our history when we need highly trained people in ever increasing numbers to solve the vast and complex problems which destiny has placed upon our shoulders.
—Agnes E. Meyer (1887–1970)
Physical training at this stage emphasizes all-round physical strength, endurance and flexibility in order to develop the muscles necessary to carry heavy equipments used in their mission. Key milestones include a gym training which is not carried out with fighting order and shows the recruit is ready at the bottom field. Then the battle swimming test and learning are conducted to regain like climbing a rope which is suspended over a water tank. Individual field craft skills are also taught at this basic stage. After completion of basic training, series of tests are conducted which includes speed march, assault test, endurance test that includes running across rough moorland, tunnels, pipes, wading pools and other rough terrains and finally a 30 mile march wearing fighting order. The day after the 30 day mile march, any candidate who has failed in these tests may reattempt to go through these tests. All the successful candidates move on to the next part of the training.
The next phase of training includes handling more advanced weapons and working on artificially created situation. Training to become a Royal Marine Commando takes over 32 weeks or even more than 8 months. The last two weeks of the training is mainly administered and prepared for the pass out parade. Apart from this training Royal Marine Commandoes may then undergo special training in a various skills, which includes Mortar operator, signaler, Mountain Leader and Platoon Weapons Instructor. Due to the increase in terrorist activities around the world marine commandoes are given specialized training in hostage rescue operators and counter terror activities as well.
The child who has been taught to make an accurate elevation, plan, and section of a pint pot has had an admirable training in accuracy of eye and hand.
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
Therefore, the role of Royal MarineCommandoes is not restricted to that of maritime operations alone but also extends over to all terrains. Royal Marine Commandoes have been assigned various tasks and have been victorious in all operations. It has been truly said that the word failure has no place in the dictionary of Royal Marine Commandoes.
Nick Redding is Author of royal marines officer.