Unfit, and wanting to join the Royal Marines Commandos within the coming years. Advice!?

Question

Hiya all

I'm 17 years of age (18 this august) and I'd like to join the Royal Marines Commandos within the next 2-3 years (my partner will be moving in during that period) but I'm very unfit. I can't do a minutes worth of running without being seriously out of breath. I don't smoke, I don't drink and I don't take drugs, nor am I over-weight, I also have a reasonably healthy diet, and no health problems. I'm just very unfit.

I have plenty of time to put aside for training, and I realise I shouldn't bother wasting the recruitment officers' time unless I'm completely sure that I'm ready for the courses, training and recruitment tests. I have a family history of service and I'm completely sure that this is the life-style I want, and I'm determined.

I'd like advice on how I can properly train my mind and body for the Royal Marines Commandos, preferably from a serviceman but I won't dismiss anything else other people have to say, it would also be good to know what I should expect during the tests. As I understand, the tests and training feel different doing them than what you'd expect from reading about it.

I'd also like to see the tattoo policy, I can't find it on the official website. This wouldn't be the main topic of the question so it's not important to include it in your answer, copy and paste if you can though, please!

I also speak Welsh as my first language, I plan on taking a first aid course within the next month, I have no qualifications or previous work experience, if all of that would be worth mentioning.

Cheers in advance!

Answer 1

Not sure who told you that @ BD ? Everybody who passes the All Arms Commando course is a Commando and wears the green beret and dagger, Royal Marine recruits do this during their initial 32 week training before they can pass out and join a Commando Brigade.

All Infantry fitness is based around endurance rather than out and out strength, things like intervals and circuits are ideal to build a good all round cardio and muscular base, along with the obvious press ups, sit ups, pull ups,dips also implement hill work into some running sessions,but to be honest if you have 2 years to prepare it's going to be pretty easy to get to the initial required standard.

Answer 2

Good on you! First of all you have to be aware the Royal Marines go through the longest training course of any troops in the world, and it’s tough. If you’re serious about joining then start working out, you’ve got 2 years before your old enough so take it slow at first. Concentrate on push-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups and burpees at first, then start lifting weights. Remember to run, find some steep hills and run up and down them, once you can manage that start running with weight. Once you’re a few months away from your 16th birthday start running in boots to toughen up your feet. Whatever you do don’t forget your academic work either, the Royal Marines don’t like dunces, and you’ll be put through written tests before your allowed to join. You’re also more likely to be promoted and have better career prospects if you show an above average intelligence. Remember the Royal Marines are one of the few branches of the military were it really is possible to start at the bottom and work your way to the top. It was the best time of my life, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it to. Good Luck!!

Answer 3

You cant just join the commando unit straight away you have to of been a royal marine for 5 years before you are given the green beret as for training what you want to do is start buy building yourself up with runs every other day start off buy doing a quick time march 4 walking paces 4 jogging paces over a month build this up until you are jogging for a steady amount of time only do it evryother day as otherwise your body just wont heal then you wanna start weight lifting on the days you arnt doing cadio excercise once you have a steady routine going buy a pair of boots and run on grass few miles a day if you attempt to do this on concrete or pavements you will give yourself shin splints and obvious eating a good diet will benifit you good luck with evrything just rember if you accomplish your goal you will become one fo the best infantry soldiers on earth capable of deployment anywhere anytime and a long line of heritage and history maybe that will push you on the days you feel like giving up good luck