Royal Marines: Fitness level

[karlbfc]

I am 15 and I have been thinking of joining the Marines since I was young and I have decided I want to. I am going to take the POC after my A levels. I was wondering how many press ups, sit ups, pull ups do you need to be able to do to pass.
Also do you think I should start jogging, and weight lifting now? If so could you please recommend a workout for someone of my age, because of weight lifting stunting growth etc could someone reccomend a training regime for me?

Thanks

[Tartan_Terrier]

Try this karlbfc:

http://www.royal-marines.mod.uk/trainin ... g-tool.php

P.S. Do me a favour and capitalise the word 'I' next time you post, that way I won't have to correct it for you.
Regards
T_T

[15-RMC]

In regards to your training, If you have a dig (or even a search) around here you will see that weight lifting is not necessarily the best way to build your fitness to those required for the POC and beyond.

Personally ( I am 17, doing A levels and hoping to do POC next year) I would focus on doing pressups and pullups and situps. As these are the bare bones of what is required for your Royal Marines Fitness.
Don't bother with the weights, because you have plenty of time, just start doing some pressups etc, but I cannot stress enough,
"DO NOT OVER DO IT'
you will only end up compiling and creating injuries. Very gradually build on your training.

All the best
17-rmc

p.s have a read of the POC diaries

[Spence]

Your best bet at this stage is to simply join a sports team, find something you enjoy and participate regularly; whether it is a team sport such as rugby or basketball, or an individual sport such as martial arts (including boxing etc) or athletics or running club.

The biggest mistake most people make is to concentrate on training for the RMFA; POC is so much more than that.

Whether or not weight training will be beneficial to you is up for debate (I'm sure most of the people on here are sick of me arguing my case for it ) however, it will not stunt your growth. The biggest causes of "stunted growth" are genetics, and a poor diet.



All the best,
Spence

[euro_andrew]

ok your 15..

1. Stop doing weights.
2. start running medium distance, do sprints and interval training.
3. get into some kind of high intensity sport.
4. get a weekly training program and start circuits (pushups, pullups, situps).
5. learn how to map read. Resections, bearings etc.
6. get some combat boots to walk in and get yourself some nice blisters now, so you dont get them in training.
7. Stay away from cigarettes.
8. Consider trying out for PRMC.

[Stokey_14]

I'll second what Spence said about joining a sports team or club, I’m 15 too and am dead set and motivated to join the Marines I've been training since I was 13, but it's still 3 (ish) years away so to get up early mornings and training/ training when you really feel like you can't be bothered is hard . Having a goal such as a up and coming fight/race/match etc give you that extra motivation.

Just get out there and do it really, weather its sports, running for leisure, circuit training, lifting weights etc it all helps.

As well as training for what ever goal it is you are training for be it the RM or sports be sure to also live a healthy and active lift style (yes I do know how cheesy that sounds ) but eating health, drinking plenty of water, walking some where instead of getting a lift etc all adds up.

Just on a personal and very bias note, if you live near a boxing club get your self down there, since I started boxing my fitness went sky rocketing but it is also good laugh as well as bloody hard work.

Welcome to the forums by the way

Stokey

P.S. Feel free to Pm me if you like, being the same age similar goals might be worth having a chat .

All the best


P.S.S. just seen euro_andrew's post and agree with it in most parts especially .

get some combat boots to walk in and get yourself some nice blisters now, so you don’t get them in training.

I've been doing some tough walking with a mate of mine for a little while now, attempting and sadly failing a tough 150 mile walk last summer the blisters I got where god awful but I found out how to treat them etc plus my feet toughened up no end.

Just don't go running in them or anything like that... if you really want a challenge try (maybe with a mate) walking in the lakes (or somewhere like that) with a Bergen. maybe a few days walking camping along the way.

those types of trips are great, have a smashing laugh, improve map reading and confidence, wear out your legs and get you used to walking with boots and a Bergen. All that hard work in the day getting from A to B is worth it when you sit down to cook your self some super noodles and a brew

[15-RMC]

The Duke of Edinburgh award is a good base level to get started. If you were to do the Gold, then you spend days out in the hills somewhere, which is all good.

Also treat yourself to a good pair of running shoes as these are priceless.

[karlbfc]

Nah I cba with duke of Endingborough award you have to do stuff for ther people : P cba with that and btw the training tool on the RM website doesn't work. But thanks for the suggestion.

[karlbfc]

I new some retard would say sumet like that. All i meant was i cba to like clean an old womens house or something like you have to i think :S

[Stokey_14]

Nah I cba with duke of Endingborough award you have to do stuff for ther people : P cba with that

I'd consider another career in that case.

That and some spelling lessons, if you can't be bothered to do stuff for other people and put a little effort into spelling and grammar (even just running it though a spell checker) what are you going to do when a higher ranking officer or PTI etc tells you to do this and that... say no I 'CBA'

You don't have to do the duke of Endingborough award admittedly, but something along those lines is a good idea, especially going as an officer, they will be looking for more than just "I play sports etc" at a interview, charity events, community work etc is all going to be a plus point come your interview…. You have to stand out above the rest as a top bloke and great officer material, even more so as you are going in with no degree.

Just my opinion and what I was told when talking to the bloke own at my AFCO.

Stokey

[karlbfc]

Lol, I dont mind doing things like tidying the garage helping move some bricks just not bloody house work which my cousan told me he did for some old women for his Duke of Endingborough award.

[karlbfc]

Spell Checked

Lol, I don’t mind doing things like tidying the garage helping move some bricks just not bloody house work which my cousin told me he did for some old women for his Duke of Edinburgh award.

[Stokey_14]

Lol, I dont mind doing things like tidying the garage helping move some bricks just not bloody house work which my cousan told me he did for some old women for his Duke of Endingborough award.

I've herd it said on this site before that a Marine is not only a top notch solider, best at what he does etc but he is also the bloke who will stop to help a old lady do her shopping, cross a road etc. Something like doing house work for a old lady in your award shouldn't be a task, if your helping the community and giving something back then it has to be worth it and show what kind of person you are.

I noticed in your signature at the bottom of your post you have the slogan "Kindness is an unwanted weakness" I'm not having a dig here but to me that’s utter toss, from speaking to Ex and serving Marine, though this site and other links if herd a lot about "helping your oppo's" being kind isn't a weakness, if anything it's a strength.

I like to think of my self as a kind caring person, but that doesn't mean I’m some soft lad, I just stick up for me and my own, friends and family come first way before your own needs.

Like I said I’m not having a dig at you here, just saying it how I see it, I might have got it all wrong, I know it's just a signature, but first impressions and all.

And you only need to post the spell checked version not a before and after

All the best

Stokey

[Eddie]

There are plenty of options for you with regards to the "service" part of DoE, actually, for all the parts of the award, and you'll benefit from it in a variety of ways (land-nav for a start, as Euro_Andrew advised.)

Also, it's another feather in your cap to put on a C.V, and can be used to demonstrate leadership.

[Spence]

I have done all three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (Bronze, Silver, and Gold - don't worry guys, you can send the marching band through for me later ) and not once have I had to clean anyone's house.

Moreover, I copied these "Commando qualities" from their website:

* COURAGE
* CHEERFULNESS
* UNITY
* PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
* DETERMINATION
* FORTITUDE
* ADAPTABILITY
* COMMANDO HUMOUR
*UNSELFISHNESS
* OUR HISTORY & ETHOS
* HUMILITY

I even highlighted two of the key points to help you figure out the point I am trying to make.

Like Stokey said, DofE is not a necessity. However you will not only have an incredibly good time doing it, but it does look good on any CV. Not to mention the navigation and expedition experience you will gain from it.

On a slightly off topic note, is it just me who doesn't find kindness a weakness?

Back to the original point of this thread; out of the numerous suggestions that have been offered, what kinds of things are you going to have a go at?