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Hello mfat,

Just a quick question (not intended to wind people up or cause any agro)

I wanted to know the HONEST OPINION from regs/potential regs on the Royal Marines Reserve.

I have heard a few regs beleiving the reserves "dont deserve the Green Beret", and even on passout are not as "good" as the regs.

Thanks for your time

Seriously though mate, if the reserves were as good or better than the regs than something has clearly gone wrong!
A reservist mirrors recruit training to a lesser degree, however he must do his training outside of work hours and balance it with a family life. Not easy.
A reservist needs a lot of self-motivation to get out and train when all his civie mates are going down the pub etc.
Resevists and regs are different but all display hard committment and dedication to get the green lid.
The regs obviously respect the reserves as so many are getting deployed to afghan now. The army however doesnt like the TA as much and iv had this confirmed to me by ex middle ranking army officers.

Ali3 wrote: if the reserves were as good or better than the regs than something has clearly gone wrong!

I have heard from people who have been in the regs for 20 years+ then working with RMR, that there is no difference between the two.

You could say a RMR recruit has to be switched on constantly when he's with the RMR, because a week of training is thrown in his face within 45minutes, he needs to go away and practice that in his own time etc.

Also, within the RMR there is no foundation week/stage, as there is'nt enough time for it, your expected to be at a certain stage before you even turn up...

The RMR recruitment sees a different average of people in comparison to the Regs, would you agree the age is often higher, and therefore the maturity level is higher?

Ali3 wrote: A reservist mirrors recruit training to a lesser degree

The tests the RMR lads have to go through is the same as the tests the regs have to go through, so the end product is the same? ALL have to be at a certain level to pass through and earn the green beret.

Any ideas?

Qualified RMR are excellent and complement the regulars
in all theatres of operations. They also often bring in many
relevant skills learned through their civilian occupations.
RMR used to be the RMFVR.
Chas. RMFVR- then RM and back again to RMFVR/RMR.

Interesting debate.

As Ali pointed out - If the RMR are as good or better on average then there's definately a problem.

Here's a few observations / opinions of mine -

During regular Recruit Training alot of time is taken up with phys, drill, admin, scran etc. In the RMR training is almost entirely done in the field.
We must have only done about 4 hours drill in total.

I personally found RMR weekends were more intense than the exercises we did at Lympstone with the regular training team, simply a result of time constraints. However, as a reg you would generally be in the field for longer periods of time which is more demanding in that sense.

We also had no UGL, Minimi, pistol training at all. Also we had very little training on the GPMP. As far as I know the regs are trained to a good standard on the above mentioned weapons ?

We had very little training on navigation. A few lectures and a practice run with our sections and a Corpral then the following weekend we were expected to nav ourselves. However, this can and should be practiced in your own time.

Physically, all our troop passed the commando course with minimal fuss. In the RMR you will be yomping and speed marching from day 1. You can also work on your weaknesses in your own time and train at a level suitable for yourself. For example, we would have have a weekend in the field yomping and speed marching then the following weekend, the majority of lads would do a yomp and a speed march in their own time.

So, as you probably can imagine after a year of yomping and speed marching almost every week you would be in a good position to pass the tests without too much drama.

In my experience the average age of RMR recruits is in the mid 20's.

Also, in the RMR you are not fully deployable after passing the C.Cse. You would still have to complete Field firing 1 and 2 with a regular recruit troop, Bowman radio training and Commando skills week ( although Commando Skills week may now have been integrated into the Commando Course ?).

The average recruit passing out of Lympstone will be 'better' than the average recruit passing out of the RMR. In the RMR, once you have completed training, there are plenty of opportunities to get on various exercises with your unit, another RMR unit, the regulars or courses at Lympstone etc, depending on the time you have available. So, basically there is plenty of opportunities to practice and develop your skills.

The regs are certainly more highly skilled when it comes to dripping

Rich.

I worked with two RMR Cpls in Afghan. I didn't even realise they were rubber for a coupla months. Very professional, and one was almost as good as dripping as the rest of us

We also had no UGL, Minimi, pistol training at all. Also we had very little training on the GPMP. As far as I know the regs are trained to a good standard on the above mentioned weapons ?

Nope, not unless it's been introduced now. GPMG and Minimi yes, but only basic training packages, nothing on Browning or UGL.

I would agree with what you say about the Commando tests, the difference is in the rest you get. RMR training is far longer as it's part time etc etc, and therefore the body gets much more recovery time. Lads in RT are thrashed for 32 weeks, then straight into their tests. I was average on my tests in my troop before smashing my foot. 10 weeks rest - and I do mean rest, bit of biking and cross training but no load carrying or running - followed by one week of proper training, and I passed with some of the quickest times. Your body is absolutely dangling after 32 weeks, this effect is not as great in RMR training.

All that said, if an RMR bod is attached to you, it's up to him to prove himself. If he does so, he will be instantly accepted as an equal. If he doesn't, he will be looked down upon. There is the banter of rubber daggers etc, but there's nothing in it really - if a bloke comes in and does the job, he'll still get a ribbing, but he'll be accepted and trusted.

Druadan

Ir was the same when I was in and it will be the same for all time ref RMR/RM. RMR bods I worked with were in 99.9% of the time on a par with the regulars.

We had one RMR bod attached to 40 for a year after that year the guy was signed on as a regular without the need for him to do recruit training. Don't think this happens all the time people. But this bloke was a star performer in all aspects of soldiering.

Artist

Someone who passes out with RMR as a royal marine, and earns the Green Beret, can be transferred into the regs. I have heard it from a few in RMR and from Corporals etc, can anyone verify this?

Thanks.

Certainly possible, I don't know the rules/regs/conditions attached to it though.

batess01 wrote:Someone who passes out with RMR as a royal marine, and earns the Green Beret, can be transferred into the regs. I have heard it from a few in RMR and from Corporals etc, can anyone verify this?

Thanks.

IT happens in the army TA to reg so it should be the same for u lot

druadan wrote:Certainly possible, I don't know the rules/regs/conditions attached to it though.

Love to find out more on this as it looks like me only route of entry into regs at the moment

Steve14 wrote:

druadan wrote:Certainly possible, I don't know the rules/regs/conditions attached to it though.

Love to find out more on this as it looks like me only route of entry into regs at the moment

It all depends on your age and most importantly your SQ/TQ. And people, please don't think this is an easy option. RMR training is just the same as the regulars, You have to pass the tests or you don't get the Lid and let me tell you know anyone who is a member of the RMR and earns that Lid has my respect.

Artist

The Following are quotes from the book “The Making of a Royal Marines Commando” By Nigel Foster. A man who wore the Green Beret…

“The RMR measure themselves against the regulars. And actually its far harder to win the Green Beret as a Reservist.”

“A member of the RMR has to do most if not all of his fitness training in his own time, without a kind PTI or PW corporal offering encouragement every step, or have, on the way.”

“There is no easy ride. In fact, the Reserve will tell you that they look for a civilian who’s cut above the regular Recruit or Young Officer.”

“The RMR makes one of the most successful units in the Armed Forces in terms of recruitment and retention.”

“So why do they do it? What makes a man take on a commitment that will eat into so much of his spare time? … Royal Marine Reservists are men far more attracted by the challenge than the glamour.”

In no way am I trying to create dispute between Regs and Reservists, I’m only trying to express the opinion of a former commando, and support the Argument of that of the Royal Marines Reserve.

Batess O1,

You are preaching to the converted so relax.
All reservists who stay the course are especially
dedicated.
Nigel wrote in my copy when he stayed with me as
follows : "For Charles and his family( and perhaps
his family will now realise what the old man once
went through ! ")
And that was a few years ago now when we were
considering a book on the Triads.

RMV202910- 20/06/56 City of London- White City.
Jamaica Road get your knees brown.