Posted by Mark Bossi (M.A. Bossi, Esquire) from Toronto Ontario Canada on March 11, 2021 at 22:40:57:
In Reply to: Re: Royal Marines posted by Ploughjockey on March 10, 2021 at 22:00:27:
"The Making Of A Royal Marine Commando"
by Nigel Foster
(publisher) Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd, London, revised edition 1993
and
The Royal Marines Total Fitness
by Robin Eggar
(publisher) Ebury Press, Random House, London, 1993
Foster writes:
Over the course of 1991, over four hundred (411 to be exact) bright, young and hopeful faces ... aged between seventeen and twenty three were candidates for the Royal Marines Potential Officers' Course (POC) ... and probably knew that the the vast majority, their Royal Marine careers would start and end with the three-day POC.
In the gym, the hopefuls were given - and had to pass - the basic United States Marine Corps fitness test ... eighty-five sit-ups in two minutes. Sixty press-ups [push-ups] in as long as it takes ... forty squat jumps in one minute. Eighteen pull-ups [chin-ups] in as long as it takes. A three-hndred metre sprint in five by sixty-metre legs, within forty-one seconds.
Eggar writes about something he calls "Commando Test week":
... based as closely as possible on the actual Tests used by the Marines to determine whether a recruit is worthy of being awarded his green beret [signifying "Commando"].
- 12 mile load carry in under 4 hours, in boots, carrying a rucksack weighing not less than 70 lbs (The Marines carry 70 lbs plus their rifle which weighs a further 10 lbs.)
- Swimming test - 500 metres in less than 10 minutes (400 metres in under 8 minutes is a basic Special Boat Service Test).
- Endurance test: step-ups, 100 on each leg; sit-ups, 100; press-ups, 50; 5 mile cycle ride; 6 mile run - all three parts of the Endurance test must be completed in under 72 minutes.
- 9 mile speed march - in 90 minutes, carrying a pack weighing 22 lbs.
- Thirty miler - 30 miles across rough terrain, wearing boots and carrying a 30 lb pack ... in under 8 hours.
Okay, potential Marine - start working out.
Dileas Gu Brath!