Royal Marines Commando
The Royal Marines regularly carry out some of the most physically demanding tasks of any armed force in the world. Royal Marines commandos are therefore trained to exceptionally high standards for front-line combat duties, often in hostile environmental conditions. Once you have passed your initial training, there are 25 specialisations for you to choose from, all offering a wide variety of qualifications. Whichever one you choose, your primary role will always be as a Royal Marines commando. Most newly trained recruits join the General Duties specialisation but you can volunteer for any of the other 24. These range from aircrew, armourer or assault engineer to mountain leader, platoon weapons instructor, swimmer canoeist or telecommunication technician.
All trained marines are regarded as specialists except musicians or buglers, who are not commando-trained and serve only with the Royal Marines Band Service.
Entry level
You can apply from the age of 16 up to your 28th birthday. No academic qualifications are required, although you would have to pass the Royal Navy selection test involving English language, numeracy, reasoning and mechanical understanding, together with an interview and medical. You would also have to meet nationality and residence requirements, and - except for musicians and buglers - pass the Potential Royal Marine Course (PRMC), which consists of three days of aptitude tests, physical exercises and a personal interview.
You must be at least 151.5 centimetres tall (approximately five feet), and your weight must be in proportion to your height, although you must weigh at least 60 kilograms (approximately nine and a half stones). Currently, only men can join the Royal Marine commandos.
To enter as a musician or bugler (open to men and women), you would have to pass a medical, including a dental and fitness check, plus an audition and musical aptitude test.
Making the grade
After the PRMC, your initial commando training would last 30 weeks, based at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines, at Lympstone in Devon. The syllabus includes military drill, survival skills, weapons training and care of equipment, often focused on small groups to consolidate your team-working skills. You would experience endurance tests, heavy weapons training and the use of live ammunition.
The training culminates in a final exercise replicating the conditions of war. If you successfully complete this, you become a full commando, entitled to wear the green beret and to participate in the Pass Out parade.
You can then choose to train further for a specialist trade and you would be encouraged to take nationally recognised qualifications appropriate to your trade and existing qualifications.
Musicians and buglers train at the Royal Marines School of Music in Portsmouth. The first 15 weeks of service would involve military training, before you go on to professional musician training, lasting from two terms to nearly three years, depending on your entry level.
Personal qualities
The right to wear the green beret does not come easily and is one that has to be earned by completion of the most demanding training course in the British armed forces. There are no exceptions to this requirement, a 'no compromise' approach reflecting the corps' fierce pride and important in maintaining its standards and commitment to excellence.
The essential qualities required of a commando include fitness, commitment, discipline and self-confidence. Some of this can be instilled during the training programme, but fitness, initiative and determination must be displayed from the start and you will find that most successful recruits have always been keen on sports or outdoor pursuits. All Royal Marines must be able to work as part of a team, living and working closely with other people. You must to be able to follow orders and use your initiative to make decisions and react quickly. Practical and technical skills are important, as a wide range of equipment and advanced weaponry is used in all areas of the work.
Each specialism has its own requirements. For example, marines specialising in the swimmer canoeist role must be particularly strong swimmers and have passed the UK Special Forces Selection Course.
Looking ahead
You would normally serve on what is known as an 'Open Engagement' lasting 22 years. On completion of this, you would immediately qualify for a pension. If you decide soon after joining that you are not suited to life in the Marines, you can apply to leave during your first six months of service provided you have completed at least four weeks' training.
People who do well in training and exercises have good prospects for promotion. It is possible to reach the rank of corporal after four years, and sergeant after nine years.
You can also gain a commission from the ranks to become an officer.
Many Royal Marines gain qualifications and experience as part of their work that are acceptable to civilian employers.
Alternative suggestions
You might consider other career options in the armed services, which you could discuss at any Armed Forces Careers Office. You may also be interested in the civilian emergency services, training as a police officer, firefighter or ambulance paramedic.
Take-home pay
Latest salary figures indicate that you would be paid a salary of £11,432 on joining and would progress after training to a scale rising from £13,461 to £24,313. Separate scales relate to promotion to Corporal, Sergeant, Colour Sergeant and Warrant Officer 1, rising to a maximum of £39,278.
Effects
The Royal Marines go wherever they are needed around the globe, so you must be ready to move at short notice to any area of crisis and prepared to face challenging combat situations in a very wide range of climatic conditions, from jungles and deserts to the Arctic.
You could be separated from your family for long periods of time. If you are married and separated from your family for any length of time, you would be entitled to extra daily pay.
Sources of information
Royal Marines: www.royal-marines.mod.uk
CRCI: UA
