On Monday 21 September, eleven hand-picked students from the Pre Uniformed and Public Service courses here at South Downs College (along with Martyn Bell - lecturer) headed down to the Royal Marines’ Commando Training Camp at Lympstone, Devon.
They were booked on an arduous, five day ‘Look at Marine Life’ course that gives an insight into the way the Royal Marines operate and the standards they set from the minute you walk through the gates at Lympstone to the day you have your pass out parade after 32 weeks of training.
When we arrived the students were briefed on the details for the day and the rest of the week. They were then shown the accommodation block, consisting of bunk beds and a shower block, and then were marched off to pick up their combat trousers, jackets, boots and rugby tops that they were expected to wear for the week.
On the first evening, in the food hall, we stood in line with the Marines and sat and ate with them. It was possible to recognise at which level of their training recruits had reached by their type of uniform and their conduct.
Day 1. The first detail for the next day started after a 0700 hrs breakfast, shower and shave. We were driven to Woodbury Common in two 3-ton trucks to take part in the endurance course. Once there, the guys were warmed up and run round the course, getting the chance to go through a number of muddy tunnels on their bellies! They were instructed to stop the fow of water in a stream by making a human dam, and then crawled up a muddy gully making sure the mud was on their faces and in their hair. Then, after they were timed completing the endurance course, they were allowed to wash off in the sheep dip - a tunnel submerged under water that they pass through to complete the course. After some sport in the evening, everyone got their heads down ready for the next day.
Day 2. Our students were instructed to put their wet combats back on after breakfast and then marched down to the assault course. They were given precise demonstrations by the instructors of the safest way to complete each obstacle. After the instruction, the guys completed each obstacle in groups of four giving them a chance to work as a team to achieve their goal. After each team completed the course they were tested on a determination test which consisted of running round an obstacle, back to the instructor, 10 press ups, 10 sit ups, 10 squat thrusts and off again; this lasted for 10 minutes - in training, this lasts for 20 minutes and if you pull out you get sent home! I was impressed by the level of fitness of my eleven students.
Day 3. A look at the gym ftness tests for the potential Marines who go to Lympstone for three days to see if they have what it takes to be a Marine. They have to complete a 3 mile run in under 21 minutes, level 11 on the bleep test, 60 press ups in 2 mins, 80 sit ups in 2 mins and 6 chin ups done to a bleep. And if that’s not enough, they have to complete a swimming test and quite a lot of punishments for moving on parade (scratching, talking, etc). The lads spent an hour watching the new recruits and then it was their turn! They avoided the bleep test but went straight in to the muscular endurance tests. Some need to work on their muscles but the majority were fantastic!
Day 4. After a rough night with six students going down with a sickness bug, we made a decision to head back that afternoon or risk being quarantined for the weekend at Lympstone. Nevertheless, the majority set off to Woodbury to take part in a 3 mile run followed by a camouflage and concealment exercise where they got to paint each others faces with camo cream and hide out in the bush.We departed from Lympstone at 1630 hrs to return to College. The students had a great time, and really impressed me and the instructors on the course. I think each one of them has the potential to become a Royal Marine Commando.
Martyn Bell