Royal Marine Commando ..

[Elina]

I've been following the 'Royal Marine Commando School' on 4 & watching their intensive training programme. My uncle was in the 48 Royal Marine Commandos in the Second World War. Can anyone tell me what their training consisted of? I'd love to what they were put through before being sent off to war.

[Elina]

'know'

[Maydup]

There's an interesting related question below yours Elina.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/History/Question266244.html

[Elina]

That was me Maydup! That question miraculously found a pic of my uncle x

[Mosaic]

FIL realtes all sorts of bits: PT instructors invited men to individually try strangling him (!); marathon-length runs in the Scottish wilds with back pack; psychological tricks like depriving men of leave rights at the last minute - this was done by saying 'too late, the boat just sailed' at the training venue door. The place was Achnacarry Castle and nowhere near the coast. Thing is though, he thought it was great - three meals a day and nobody allowed to hit you, which compared very well with his life up to that point.

[Elina]

Hi Mosaic, the commandos in the documentary on 4 were made to cover long distances with heavy backpacks, apparently it's well known as one of their strengths. What would be the psychology I wonder behind depriving men of leave rights at the last minute?

[ChillDoubt]

What would be the psychology I wonder behind depriving men of leave rights at the last minute?
-------------------
It's a simple psychology exercise to see if you can 'hack' it.
Imagine being in the field, you're due a few days R&R when suddenly, the situation changes within your theatre of operations. You are required to stay, forego your leave and soldier on because the situation dictates it.
Do you soldier on, or as the Royal Marines say 'dig out blind', or do you become sullen, have a fit of pique and leave your colleagues in the lurch with your resentful attitude?
It's classic, basic training stuff and is meant to test your mettle, your resolve and your attitude. It sorts the men from the boys and those who have the character come through.

[heathfield]

Similar psychology was used to determine whether someone was fit for a dangerous operation. Marines would act out a situation where one was in charge trying to get another to go on a raid while the other would invent all the reasons why he shouldn't go. Then they'd swap places. Observers watched how well they played both parts, and judged whether or not either of them was, mentally, a suitable candidate for taking part in the operation.

[Elina]

Thanks both ChillDoubt & heathfield for explanations !

[mikey4444]

Is it only me that finds all this walking about with ironing boards a bit puzzling ? I can see that all the rest of the training to be entirely necessary but all that ironing ? I mean, who irons combat trousers ? Will there even be electric points in wars for these chaps to plug their irons into ? They will be packing curling tongs next !

[Elina]

Hi mikey, discipline I suppose , but yes, when they're out there in the thick of it!!