Royal Marine Commando Training

The Royal Marines training at Lympstone, Devon is one of the toughest and longest basic training programmes in the world. Because to become an elite fighter ready for action, you have to develop the Royal Marines state of mind. And this is how you get it.

Throughout your 32 weeks at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, you’ll learn everything from the basics like marching, looking after your kit and weapons. But you’ll also learn the combat skills that will turn you into an elite soldier, worthy of the green beret. These include patrolling, setting ambushes, cliff assaults and fighting in built up areas.

- 1
  Introductions
  x
  1. Introductions
  
  Foundation Module
  
  Joining routine
  
  Mathematics and English tests
  
  Gym and swimming assessment
  
  Admin
  
  Kit issue
  
  Drill and physical training
- 2
  Field conditions
  x
  2. Field conditions
  
  Foundation module
  
  Exercise first step
  
  Drill physical training
  
  Personal admin
  
  Close quarter combat
- 3
  Tactics & weapons training
  x
  3. Tactics & weapons training
  
  Foundation Module
  
  Weapon training
  
  Drill
  
  Physical training
  
  Family day
- 4
  Physical training
  x
  4. Physical training
  
  Foundation Module
  
  Weapon training
  
  Physical training and swim
  
  Drills and corps history
  
  Exercise early knight
- 5
  Camp & field work
  x
  5. Camp & field work
  
  Foundation module
  
  Weapon Training (including weapon handling tests)
  
  Physical Training and Runs
  
  Map Reading
  
  Exercise Quick Cover (3 day exercise including basic fieldcraft and close quarter battle)
- 6
  Basic shooting skills
  x
  6. Basic shooting skills
  
  Foundation Module
  
  First aid
  
  Rifle shoot
  
  Physical training
  
  Map reading
- 7
  Basic infantry skills
  x
  7. Basic infantry skills
  
  Exercise Marshall Star (3 1/2 day exercise) covers basic fieldcraft and soldiering skills (including obstacle crossing)
  
  Close quarter combat
- 8
  Physical & survival training
  x
  8. Physical & survival training
  
  Drill
  
  Physical training
  
  Map reading
  
  First aid and survival training
- 9
  More weapons training and introduction to education qualifications
  x
  9. More weapons training and introduction to education qualifications
  
  Drill
  
  Physical training
  
  Map reading
  
  First aid exam light support weapon (LSW) training and shoot
- 10
  Navigation & survival training
  x
  10. Navigation & survival training
  
  Exercise hunter's moon (4 day exercise) fieldcraft
  
  Navigation training
  
  Map reading
  
  Survival exercise (long weekend)
- 11
  Live firing & rifle application
  x
  11. Live firing & rifle application
  
  Live firing: rifle elementary application to annual Personal Weapons Test (combat infantryman) (also computer simulation shoots)
- 12
  Shooting training
  x
  12. Shooting training
  
  Light support weapon auto shoot: LSW annual Personal Weapons Assessment (moving targets/night sight)
- 13
  Communication & CBRN training
  x
  13. Communication & CBRN training
  
  Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Training
  
  Comms training starts
  
  Grenade throwing
  
  Helicopter & underwater escape drills
- 14
  Perfect navigation & field skills
  x
  14. Perfect navigation & field skills
  
  CBRN
  
  Exercise baptist run (2 day field test exercise) - to test all skills taught in phase 1 - includes stalking, kit inspections, map reading, CBRN and signal tests
  
  Fit Lovats & Blues uniforms
  
  Physical training
- 15
  A major exercise
  x
  15. A major exercise
  
  Comms Training
  
  First drill inspection, arms drill pass out and phase 1 pass out parade.
  
  Intro to Battle Physical Training.
- 16
  Infantry skills
  x
  16. Infantry skills
  
  Exercise First Base Tactical field patrols race
  
  Observation posts and harbour drills
- 17
  Soldiering skills & tactical training
  x
  17. Soldiering skills & tactical training
  
  Exercise Second Empire section and troop level attacks
  
  Troop fighting patrols and ambushes
- 18
  Patrol & tactical understanding
  x
  18. Patrol & tactical understanding
  
  Viking Training
  
  Troop attacks and ambushes
- 19
  Weapon & adventure training
  x
  19. Weapon & adventure training
  
  General purpose machine gun (GPMG) training
  
  Battle physical training
- 20
  Multi-terrain vehicle & tactical training
  x
  20. Multi-terrain vehicle & tactical training
  
  Exercise Urban Warrior (OBUA Drills)
  
  Mine Warfare Training
- 21
  Weapons training & lectures
  x
  21. Weapons training & lectures
  
  Battle physical training
  
  Defence lectures and CBRN
- 22
  Yomping
  x
  22. Yomping
  
  Long distance march carrying full kit.
- 23
  Fighting & Battle Skills
  x
  23. Fighting & Battle Skills
  
  Fighting in Built-up Areas and Close Quarter Battle Skills (FIBUA AND CQB) exercise
- 24
  Weaponry training
  x
  24. Weaponry training
  
  Minimi light machine gun (LMG) training
  
  Endurance course acquaint
  
  Key skills period ends
- 25
  Amphibious training
  x
  25. Amphibious training
  
  12 mile load carry
  
  Amphibious training
  
  Minimi LMG firing (AWA)
  
  Sea safety training
  
  Visit RM museum
- 26
  Mountain skills & final exercise
  x
  26. Mountain skills & final exercise
  
  6 Mile speed march
  
  Cliff assault & rope techniques
  
  Water obstacle crossing
  
  Tarzan assault course acquaint
  
  Final Exercise starts
- 27
  Final Exercise completes
  x
  27. Final Exercise completes
  
  Final Exercise ends
  
  Specializations brief (Long Weekend)
- 28
  Classes & Tarzan Assault Course
  x
  28. Classes & Tarzan Assault Course
  
  Tarzan assault and endurance course run troughs
  
  Drill
  
  Career Advice
- 29
  Live fire tactical training
  x
  29. Live fire tactical training
  
  Field Firing Exercise 1 (Individual and Fire Team level Live Firing)
- 30
  Live firing & Endurance course
  x
  30. Live firing & Endurance course
  
  Live Firing Tactical Training Phase 2
  
  Endurance course pass out
- 31
  Commando test week
  x
  31. Commando test week
  
  Commando Tests (9 mile speed march, Tarzan & assault course, 30 miler, Endurance course)
  
  Drill
  
  Church Service
- 32
  Final week of training
  x
  32. Final week of training
  
  King's Squad Pass Out Parade
  
  Leaving admin

Exercises

Right through your training, you’ll take part in ﬁeld exercises that bring together everything you’ve learned so far. You’ll start off using basic skills like camouﬂage, concealment or night movement. Later, you’ll deploy from helicopters and fast assault boats and you’ll also attack and defend buildings at night. This is also where you’ll start to develop the essential leadership and tactical skills you’ll need if you choose to be a Royal Marines Ofﬁcer.

Testing times

You will have regular tests throughout your training which will help us and you to see how you’re developing. We’ll test speciﬁc skills such as marksmanship, reading maps, drill or ﬁrst aid and give you an overall assessment during some of the exercises. You’ll know when these are happening and be fully prepared. If you don’t pass, we’ll help you put things right before you take the test again.

Commando tests

The four commando tests, which come towards the end of your training, are the ﬁnal proof that you’re ready for your green beret – and to start your career as a Royal Marines Commando, or continue your Young Ofﬁcer training.

The commando tests are as follows.

The endurance course - You will work your way through two miles of tunnels, pools, streams, bogs and woods, then run four miles back to camp, all while you’re 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 10 shots on target in a shooting test.
The nine-mile speed march - You need to complete this in 90 minutes, while carrying your equipment and a riﬂe.
The Tarzan assault course - An aerial slide, ropes course, assault course and 30-foot wall, which you will need to complete in 13 minutes, while carrying your equipment and a riﬂe.
The 30-mile march - A 30-mile march across Dartmoor, which you will need to complete in under eight hours with your equipment and a riﬂe. Ofﬁcers must cover the same route in seven hours.

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RM training diaries

Read fascinating training diaries written by the recruits and young Officers at Lympstone Commando Training Centre as the develop their skills.

Royal Marine training diaries

Royal Marine Commando Training