Once a Marine, Always a Marine

Fifty years ago, to this day, 7th April 1971, 928 King’s Squad Royal Marines, passed for duty.

I was awarded my green beret. Six months of toil, sweat, blood and a few tears of relief. 

During the final test, the 30 miler, the four Diamonds, Section Commanders, did something very unusual. We had finished, then learned that Paddy White was breaking down about two miles from the finish. He had suffered an ankle injury two days previously, despite copious painkillers he was not going to make it. 

The four of us dropped our gear and weapons, ran back, found him, removed his kit and weapon. Two of us half carried him, the other two ran with his kit, then we swapped. We got Paddy to the end, he passed. Royal Marines never leave any of ours behind. 

The first link takes you to the first in a series of four short videos, showing the Commando Tests. Please take a few minutes to watch them. They encapsulate everything we did. The tests are identical to those undertaken by our forebears, WW2 Commandos. 

Could you do it? Well one 55 year old did. Chris Terrill has made films about our training, he decided to “Have a Go!” 


The Commando Tests

Grab a coffee. This man deserves respect for his achievement.

The 55 year old Commando