Commando on the front line, Episode 4.

[GaussianEliminator]

True enough eagleeye, if we had got lost on a night navex like that (last week) and just got our swedes down then we'd still be running up and down a honking feature in respirators with our rifles above our heads.

Correct me If I'm wrong on this, but, is there not usually a lost procedure to follow if you ever get stuck in the "lost" position? I'm pretty sure if there was a lost procedure issued it wasn't: get into your bags and get your head down.

Anyone elaborate?

[Fairy_Dust]

I asked my mate about the missing troop, like, why didn't they get a beasting for getting lost and not finding their way out of it?He said probably because their navigation skills wern't expected to be that great yet.

I agee with most about this tv series, it's too short, we all know that we don't get a 30 minute programme because of the adverts but i'm glad that the programme has been released, it at least let's you get some knowledge about lympstone and the training teams and the way things are run. It probably doesn't do the marines training justice because it looks easy, but anyone who has done their research before joining the marines (which they should) should know that it's going to be f@#k hard graft.

Most recruits that head to lympstone for RT don't have the advantage of watching a troop go through the 32 weeks on a TV documentary, it does help give you an idea of what it's going to be like when you get down to lympstone and help prepare you mentally as you can visualise what it's going to be like when you get there.

[Chas]

Some officers are very good at navigation.
Most are average (Self) some are poor.
PWs' as a generality are infinitely better.
*As for this programme read my other posts.

Chas old fart .
RM officer & HSF officer via ranks.

[Shrek The Royal]

Last nights eposide was gash worst one yet they showed nothing other than a bit of the four miler, and that rest on the Trindad bloke, all that show does is focus on him ?Are there no other lads in that troop, now he has left the troop they are still filming him going through sick bay why?

[Sully]

Correct me If I'm wrong on this, but, is there not usually a lost procedure to follow if you ever get stuck in the "lost" position?

I think the procedure is quite simple at CTC i.e. don't get lost and if you do something you shouldn't then it's time for a bit of behaviour aversion therapy. The place is pretty safety conscious but one night out on the moor is a long long way from a survival situation.

[Ste Preece]

Last nights eposide was gash worst one yet they showed nothing other than a bit of the four miler, and that rest on the Trindad bloke, all that show does is focus on him ?Are there no other lads in that troop, now he has left the troop they are still filming him going through sick bay why?

I agree totally. The producer just isn't focussing on the training. He's spending too much time listening to individuals moaning. I hope it gets better.

Steve

[Ty]

Yeah it was a pretty bad episode. I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Terril just set up his camera to tape Terry while he sits in Hunter company all day, and then follow him when he gets back trooped. In a way I feel bad for him though, because being on camera just makes you more nervous.

My only idea is that Chris taped the majority of the troops, and found that Terry had one of the best stories, so focused on him when it came down to editing the footage. Still though, feels like the whole stories gonna be over when he quits.

[_chris]

There is the other versian coming later in the year/early next year which will be re-edited and longer; that will be on ITV4. Just guessing but perhaps thats the one that people like us may like, with the current one trying to aim to the masses who enjoy the sort of reality follow one guys story sort of thing. Obviously thats entirely a guess though, but certainly as it willbe longer we're bound to get a better version then anyway.

[Darren82]

There is just no pleasing some people

[davidemmerson]

But it's good to see they've moved it to a Monday. Shorter time to wait! And yes I do realise that after the next episode it will still be a week between broadcasts..... Then Spooks on Tuesday too!


Then Spooks on Tuesday too!

Lovely

[Chas]

Officer in Waiting,

Torture, inspirational, emotional - my arse.
Cringe making.
Nuff said.

[Alfa]

The thing that I find strange about this programme is that it seems to focus on failure, all the guys who have been on seem to be the ones who have left, been injured or back squadded.

The worst bit of the last episode was when that Terry John was running along crying for his mum and the voice over was trying to make out that how that showed heart and commitment etc... I doubt the staff or the lads would have been too impressed by someone crying for their mum on a four mile run.

After watching the 55 year old Commando and then the main series I think Chris Terrill should have taken a step back and focused more on producing a quality documentary instead of taking his eye off the ball trying to fulfill some kind of boyhood ambition to prove he could have "hacked it in the Marines."

[Mr_Kiwi]

What you all seem to be failing to realise is that this isn't a 'Chris Terril production' this is a doco filmed by him, and voice overed by him, but I can bet you that he isn't editing it and deciding how best to show the process. My feeling is that it's done by someone in an editing room with some fat blokes sitting around going 'Ooh yea, that'll look good on tv' 'Yea that bit will get the ratings'

I think it focuses on the failures because it would be very boring for the viewing civvis to watch recruit X pass everything first time. They also want to see people failing, like watching a formula 1 crash, it just makes it more interesting for them.

So to sum up, yes it's not a realistic view on life in training, and yes it focuses on one guy to much. BUT it has not been made for people who have already decided on joining, or people who have already served. It's designed for people who know sweet FA about the Marines so they can get some recruiting numbers up.

[Dangermouse]

There are limitations to filming a 30 minute program on a troop of Royal Marines, so people, stop bitching. They need to make allowances for the Royal Marines themselves - you can't have camera crews following them everywhere they go, and it's impossible to focus on a different person in each episode - first of all, the makers don't know which recruits will leave and which will not and secondly, not every recruit is going to want to be followed around by a camera while in recruit training. Credit to Rcrt Terry. Good effort on his behalf.

At least there's a program at all, and none of usual crap you get on tele in the evening or any other time of the day for that matter.

[Chas]

Dangermouse,

I intend to bitch since this programme had done nothing so
far as to enhance the reputation of the Royal Marines. As I stated
on the thread of 'Episode One' there was an far more interesting
and better constructed documentary several years back. It also
demonstrated the individual success of each recruit and included
resignation interviews and was an accurate and factual account
of just how demanding the CCse. with all its ups and downs.
Fortunately today the end product of recruit training at CTCRM is
just as good as ever and this has been widely demonstrated in
current hostilities.

Chas.