Phase Two Tactical Training and the Commando Course

Battle preparation:

Now you’ll find out just how tough commando training can really get. You’ll be pushed to the very limits of your skills, strength and endurance.

Fieldcraft and tactics:

As well as more advanced fieldcraft skills, you’ll start learning basic patrolling techniques. By the end of the course, you’ll be confident on reconnaissance and fighting patrols, mounting observation posts and setting ambushes.

The commando course:

All your training so far has been leading up to this point. The two-week Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC) at CTCRM is where you put your basic training into practice and show us that you meet the physical and professional standards we look for in a Royal Marines Commando.

Your first major challenge is the Battle Physical Training (BPT) pass-out. This is a series of four physical tests that you’ll need to pass to continue on the commando course.

Carrying 10kg of kit and your rifle, you’ll have to complete:

• a 30-foot rope climb
• a 20-metre fireman’s lift
• an assault course
• a full regain (this is when, while wearing 21 pounds of webbing and carrying your rifle, you crawl across a rope that is 10 feet above water. When you’re halfway across, you have to drop down while hanging onto the rope with your hands. Using a special technique, you’ll need to pull yourself back up and continue along the rope until you have crossed the water).

Once you’ve passed the BPT, there’s another important test. As the name suggests, the ‘12-mile load carry’ is a 12-mile march along roads and across country, with 31kg of personal kit and your rifle.

You’ll then have to complete the four-day field exercise. Everything you’ve learned about fieldcraft, weapons and tactics, and your physical condition, will be put to the toughest test yet. It’s a hard four days, but you’ll learn a lot about yourself and come out of it stronger and more determined than ever to make it over the final hurdle.

Commando tests:
Final hurdles don’t come much bigger than this. The four legendary commando tests are the ultimate proof that you’re ready for your green beret.

1. The endurance course
You’ll work your way through two miles of tunnels, pools, streams, bogs and woods, then run four miles back to camp, all in combat equipment and carrying a weapon, and all in less than 72 minutes. When you get back, you’ll have to get six out of ten shots on target in a shooting test.

2. The nine-mile speed march
You need to complete this in 90 minutes, while carrying your equipment and a rifle.

3. The Tarzan assault course
This consists of an aerial slide, ropes course, assault course and 30-foot wall, which you have to complete in 13 minutes while carrying your equipment and a rifle.

4. The 30-mile march
You’ll need to complete this 30-mile march across Dartmoor in under eight hours with your equipment and a rifle.

Do you think you’ve got what it takes?