RMR or Royal Marines

[gizmo]

Hello
I have a question. Im currently studying for my A-levels and I was thinking of Joining the RMR untill Ive finished and then switching to the full time Royal Marines. Is this possible, and if it is, do you think it would be a good idea or not. I think Im right in saying that RMR marines are trained the same as full time, just over a longer a period. So if i was to earn my Green Beret with RMR would it apply to Royal Marines full time.
Hope this makes sense!

Thanks for any advice!

[df2inaus]

I was thinking of Joining the RMR untill Ive finished and then switching to the full time Royal Marines

What do you mean by switching? Can't speak for the RM as I was never there, but in the TA you can apply for Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS), in which case you would work with the regulars.

Do you really think your fitness, admin and battle drills would be to the same standard as the regulars, though? Its a different world.

I met a major in the RLC who had done the All Arms Commando Course. He said someone turned up for the course wearing a green beret, from the TA All-Arms course. He was immediately noticed by the training staff and treated accordingly.

I'm speculating here, but to be fully accepted by the RM the best thing to do would be to get a release from the RMR when you think you're ready, or better yet, when your mentors (ie. a helpful ex-regular or PSI) think you're ready, and go through the basic training from start to finish like everyone else.

You'll probably then be surprised to see men straight of civvy street with no military experience doing better than you in the training. The deeper into the regulars' training you get, the less your previous reserve experience will help you, I know.

[rabby]

I'm speculating here, but to be fully accepted by the RM the best thing to do would be to get a release from the RMR when you think you're ready, or better yet, when your mentors (ie. a helpful ex-regular or PSI) think you're ready, and go through the basic training from start to finish like everyone else.

Once you pass out and get your Green Lid with the RMR you can do the FTRS you talked about, or you could ask to go regular, like many do. You do not need to do full recruit training, what for?? You already have done it all. Just because you only do it part time, does not mean you are any less capable of doing the tasks the regulars do. RMR has shown time and time againt hey can fit in seamlessly with the regulars when the time arises.

Do you really think your fitness, admin and battle drills would be to the same standard as the regulars, though?

Yes they would, you have to do all the same tests as the regulars, learn all the same drills and you stil practice them over and over.

You'll probably then be surprised to see men straight of civvy street with no military experience doing better than you in the training. The deeper into the regulars' training you get, the less your previous reserve experience will help you, I know.

Then this where TA differs. As I said above, RMR does everything to the same standard as the regulars, no exeptions. Keep in mind there is jobs/studies that take up their life aswell.

Gizmo - If you think you are up to it, get to your nearest unit and get the ball rolling, but don't take it lightly, its just as hard to do as the regulars, and A levels takes up a lot of time so think about it. Find out when the next selection weekend is nearest you and have a go, if you think you're hard enough!

[davo141]

rabby summed it up well there...

there was a 33 year old RMR...he had his green lid and the CPL's couldnt understand why he just didnt joing straight away to Full time....he just wanted the full 30 weeks i geuss and feels he was adequet for it as he had an age waiver....

depends who you are really...

He said, and has been said many times on here...Fitness is the same etc..

cheers, davo

[df2inaus]

rabby,

Your response was a learning experience for me.

How are RMR guys received by the regulars when they join their units then? They're not given a hard time for going "through the back door?"

Is there a mobilisation course they need to complete before going full-time?

df2inaus

[rabby]

As far as I'm aware, the reserves fit in like a glove, naturally there's some banter but probably nothing more than that, perhaps a trained rank could help out here (I'm not quite there ....yet ).

[Skiffle]

To follow on from Rabbt's comment's 'How the RMR is seen in the regular Corp's'

For the Iraq confflict, 112 RM Reservists voluntered and chosse to go of there own free will, and had mobilisation paper's issued at their request.

In Dec last year, the goverment probuced a defence white paper 'Delivering security in a changing world'.

The object of the review was to see how are force's have addapted to change after the startegic defence review in99, and modern day climate change after sept 11.

In this the reserve's were covered in which the following comment was made

112 members of the RMR were also called-out and deployed as part of 3 Commando Brigade. The speed and ease of the reserves' intergration with the regular Royal Marines was noteworthy and exceptional

The RMR is the only reserve unit to have been specifically comended in the report to the house of commons.

Comment's coming back from Iraq are all good about reserve's, and despite initial misgiving's, they proved themselves more than capable. This came about mainly because they choose to be there out of there own free will, which gives them an attitude of entusiasm abive other's.

While there maybe the odd nobber about, and some indavidual incident's of bloke's not performing. They are usually pointed out that the door is alway's there to walk out (if they don't start performing).

The RMR pride's it's self highly on it's standard's and ability's to perform with and along side the Corp's, and will make sure that every man in it's rank's is/ will and want's to maintain those standard's

[Sully]

Have a look at this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=309&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[dannyd]

Once you pass out and get your Green Lid with the RMR ... You do not need to do full recruit training, what for?? You already have done it all.

Are you sure this is correct mate?

I remember asking about this at the AFCO a while back (at the time I was in Holding Troop of RMR London - failed the medical). I was told that I would have to go through the full recruit training at CTC even if I had earned my green lid with the RMR. The WO2 I spoke to even rang Lympstone to confirm this.

Maybe things have changed...

[Skiffle]

Are you sure this is correct mate?

I'ts deffinatly correct. If you are a trained rank (earned your lid), and have passed phase 2 training (live firing and commando skill's). Then toy can join the Reg Corp's without having to do the 32 week's.

If you haven't completed phase 1a or 1b (not earned you lid), then you would have to do all 32 weeks.

[dannyd]

I'ts deffinatly correct. If you are a trained rank (earned your lid), and have passed phase 2 training (live firing and commando skill's). Then toy can join the Reg Corp's without having to do the 32 week's.

If you haven't completed phase 1a or 1b (not earned you lid), then you would have to do all 32 weeks.

Cheers for clearing that up.

I always thought it was a bit strange that you would have to redo all of your training if you were to join the Reg Corps.