Yesterday, at my local gym in Barry, South Wales, I magically bumped into a young Royal Marine Potential who just passed his PRMC. He was kind enough to meet up with me and give me the low-down on his time at Lympstone. Here is some useful information courtesy of 23 year old Richard Davies..
- For your swim test, bring proper 'tight' swim shorts and not baggy Bermuda’s
- Bring two towels with you or you will end up drying yourself off with a cold damp one.
- The nail brush is to clean your boots/trainers and not your nails.
- On arrival, your kit (boots/uniform) will be placed at the end of your beds and will not be the sizes you specified on the Pre-PRMC form. You will have swap kit with your buddies.
- You will train in your own trainers. If possible bring two pairs with you as the one pair will get covered in mud from the 3-miler and the bottoms must be spotless for the gym tests.
- Even when in the 'at-ease' position, you are not allowed to fidget or even wipe sweat off your face; tie shoelaces etc. If you do then you will be beasted. If you put up your hand and ask for permission then you will probably be beasted anyway. However, if you ask permission for stretching out a cramped muscle then this is ok.
- Give everything 100% that you do, even when warming up! Run means sprint as fast as you can! This will be noted, do not try to simply pace yourself.
- One person turned-up at PRMC with a RM Commando tattoo. This person was immediately booted off the course for obvious reasons.
- Do not wear a Royal Marine T-Shirt as you are not yet a Royal Marine.
- Do not wear hair gel.
- If you scored low on any part of the aptitude test, then you will be required to get a higher score on the bleep test such as 11.3 (13 is the max so aim for 13 during your training).
- Be careful on the bleep test not to trip over anyone and don’t be afraid to stick your elbow out to avoid someone running into you.
- Push-ups are to be performed with arms in close to your body, and down to a clench flat fist, knuckles facing up not the knuckles to the sides. The person counting your score will look away from you and counts one when he feels your chest touch his fist. The counter does not shout out your scores (1,2,3,4, etc). If a Corporal spots a problem with your technique then he will tell the counter to deduct points from your total score, i.e. take 5 off.
- Sit-ups are to be performed with someone holding down your feet, knee's touching, legs bent as far as they will bend. Elbows and head much touch the floor with your hands at the side of your face. Your elbows must then touch the top of your knees (bnot the sides).
- Pull-ups are performed on a beam to a bend and stretch count.
- Do not question anything, sulk, moan or argue. 8 Potentials just completed the assault course and the Staff pulled them aside and told them that there was a problem with the stop watch/timing and told them to sprint to the beginning to get ready to do it all again. Four of them moaned and said that they were tired and the other four did what the Staff told them. The Staff turned around to the four moaners and told them not to worry, take a few minutes rest and then told them that they failed the course. The other four people who did not they were told to do did not have to re-do the assault course; the Staff told them that he just wanted to weed out the slackers.
- On the assault course, you must land on two feet, otherwise you will have to repeat the obstacle.
- You will start the obstacle course nice and wet through practicing the commando crawl in the mud and wet.
- Before you tackle the assault course, you will be required to tackle the high obstacle course in which you must climb across a few ropes 20ft off the ground. You must also walk naturally across a few planks of wood with a 2ft gap. Again you must walk naturally or not put out your arms for balance. If you were to fall then you must try to hang on while they get out the emergency rope, if you cant then its a straight drop I'm afraid.
- The 3 miler is tough and is run across a country road in rows of 3, if you are on the outside then you will need to watch out for potholes. They vary the pace all the way through.
- Gym Test 2 is the killer. You will be sprinting all the time, pulling an upside down horse, throwing medicine balls, hand-over-hand movement across beams, jumping over horses etc
- You will fill out a questionnaire (I will post this at a later date) to test your knowledge. All the answers are in the green booklet and on the walls at Lympstone.
- On the last day, the unsuccessful candidates will be called into a room and the successful people stay in the same room where you will be awarded the certificate and issued your boots. They will put on a 50lb backpack to see what size boots you are as your feet flatten out with load. You will then be required to break them in.
- Richard passed his PRMC two weeks ago and will be joining on the 24th March. He managed 11.6 on the bleep test; 37 push-ups (actually did 49); 70 sit-ups; 4 pull-ups (Corporal told him to get down as his chin did not clear the beam although it did). He did well on the assault course and 3-miler and did best on Gym test 2. He gave everything 100%.
Share This Page:
PRMC Information and Tips
A few other pointers that I remembered to share with the gang..
3-Miler:
Don’t just practice running 7 minute miles as you do not run like this on the day of test. For the first part of the run, you run 1.5 miles in exactly 15 minutes (very slow) as a squad. You must then individually sprint the remainder of the 1.5 miles in under 7 minutes to pass. If you are sick on the run, then do not stop; keep running while you are being sick.
You will be beasted for wearing a watch so that you can keep an eye on the time.
Do NOT overtake the PTI.
Energy:
Buy a load of chocolate from the shop to keep up your instant energy and drink plenty of water. Do not eat too much and stick with high complex carbs energy foods and save the protein for the evenings.
SA80:
Don’t just say SA80 - Its an SA80 A2 5.56mm rifle (the latter is very important!)
Gym Tests:
Get used to practicing your push-ups/sit-ups/pull-ups after high cardio exercise as you will be required to do them immediately after the bleep test.
Royal Marines - Corps Knowledge Questionnaire:
You will be required to answer the following questions..
1. What is the date of the birth of the Corps?
2. Describe the crest of the ROyal Marines?
3. Why were the ROyal Marines awarded the 'laurels'?
4. When was the battle of Trafalgar?
5. During which war did the ROyal Marines win their first three VCs?
6. When was the raid on Zeebrugge?
7. Who won Victoria Crosses for bravery during the raid?
8. Which 3 Commandos landed at Walcheren?
9. What was the last major battle honour of the Corps?
10. When and where was "Operation Haven"?
11. What are the Commando Units called?
12. Where are they based?
13. What does the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines do?
14. What is the name of the current rifle in use in the Royal Marines?
15. What does "SUSAT" stabd for and what is its magnification?
16. What is a "LAW 94mm"?
17. What is the range of a GPMG in the light role?
18. What is the role of HMS Ocean?
19. Where are the Royal Marines currently serving around the world?
20. What does SBS stand for?
21. Name 6 specialisations that you can do in the Corps?
22. List the rank structure from Marine to W01 in the Royal Marines?
3-Miler:
Don’t just practice running 7 minute miles as you do not run like this on the day of test. For the first part of the run, you run 1.5 miles in exactly 15 minutes (very slow) as a squad. You must then individually sprint the remainder of the 1.5 miles in under 7 minutes to pass. If you are sick on the run, then do not stop; keep running while you are being sick.
You will be beasted for wearing a watch so that you can keep an eye on the time.
Do NOT overtake the PTI.
Energy:
Buy a load of chocolate from the shop to keep up your instant energy and drink plenty of water. Do not eat too much and stick with high complex carbs energy foods and save the protein for the evenings.
SA80:
Don’t just say SA80 - Its an SA80 A2 5.56mm rifle (the latter is very important!)
Gym Tests:
Get used to practicing your push-ups/sit-ups/pull-ups after high cardio exercise as you will be required to do them immediately after the bleep test.
Royal Marines - Corps Knowledge Questionnaire:
You will be required to answer the following questions..
1. What is the date of the birth of the Corps?
2. Describe the crest of the ROyal Marines?
3. Why were the ROyal Marines awarded the 'laurels'?
4. When was the battle of Trafalgar?
5. During which war did the ROyal Marines win their first three VCs?
6. When was the raid on Zeebrugge?
7. Who won Victoria Crosses for bravery during the raid?
8. Which 3 Commandos landed at Walcheren?
9. What was the last major battle honour of the Corps?
10. When and where was "Operation Haven"?
11. What are the Commando Units called?
12. Where are they based?
13. What does the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines do?
14. What is the name of the current rifle in use in the Royal Marines?
15. What does "SUSAT" stabd for and what is its magnification?
16. What is a "LAW 94mm"?
17. What is the range of a GPMG in the light role?
18. What is the role of HMS Ocean?
19. Where are the Royal Marines currently serving around the world?
20. What does SBS stand for?
21. Name 6 specialisations that you can do in the Corps?
22. List the rank structure from Marine to W01 in the Royal Marines?
B*llocks you have to do the second 1.5 miles in 7 minutes. Who told you that? I've chatted to loads of people who've done their PRMC and that's never been brought up...I know the speed you are moving at keeps changing but 7 minutes is arse. That's a 4.5 min mile!! If you can do 1.5 miles in 9 minutes, you are athletically very fit. Why would they only recruit olympic runners?
Aye, DAN
i passed my prmc on 9th december, and am going in for basic training on 24th march. i delayed when i was going for basic training cos i had to wait for my back to get better, as i damaged it 2 weeks before my prmc.
the advice thats been given is good advise. if you dont train HARD you WILL fail. if anyone is training for their prmc, don't underestimated how hard it actually is. our 3 mile run was done in around 18 minutes to clear that up.
as far as your training goes, train properly and with good form, because it'll pay off when your there. lots of circuit training would be good, and lots of sprint training, because the "warm up" for the assault course was really difficult.
Never even think of giving up, give it 110% all the way. keep your head down, and do exactly what they tell you, but also keep in good spirits all the time. listen to what they say cos as you get tired its easy to tune out. drink water all the time. eat lightly at breakfast and lunch (concentrating on complex carbs), otherwise you will bring it up, i was sick but you just gotta keep going.
oh, and enjoy it. there are some good lads down there.
the advice thats been given is good advise. if you dont train HARD you WILL fail. if anyone is training for their prmc, don't underestimated how hard it actually is. our 3 mile run was done in around 18 minutes to clear that up.
as far as your training goes, train properly and with good form, because it'll pay off when your there. lots of circuit training would be good, and lots of sprint training, because the "warm up" for the assault course was really difficult.
Never even think of giving up, give it 110% all the way. keep your head down, and do exactly what they tell you, but also keep in good spirits all the time. listen to what they say cos as you get tired its easy to tune out. drink water all the time. eat lightly at breakfast and lunch (concentrating on complex carbs), otherwise you will bring it up, i was sick but you just gotta keep going.
oh, and enjoy it. there are some good lads down there.
Effort is only effort when it begins to hurt
The only way out of pain, is through it
You choose to feel pain, I choose not to
Nobody ever drowned in sweat
Only the weak quit
The only way out of pain, is through it
You choose to feel pain, I choose not to
Nobody ever drowned in sweat
Only the weak quit
So you bunch of numpties 
, do you know all the answers to the above, or are you waiting for someone to ask first then jump on his neck? 
If you don't know then ask, the older members are more than happy to help out with the historical stuff, but try your own research first.
, do you know all the answers to the above, or are you waiting for someone to ask first then jump on his neck? If you don't know then ask, the older members are more than happy to help out with the historical stuff, but try your own research first.
You should talk to somebody who gives a f**k.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Robiz/movie_star_wars_yoda.gif[/img]
El Presidente
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Robiz/movie_star_wars_yoda.gif[/img]
El Presidente
Cheers Red - Sorry Dan!
I got my information on the PRMC 3-Miler from various sources. On the Blue Peter and RM PRMC video's they show you them running the 3-miler in a group at a jog pace. I recall BigRichie mentioning that the first half was quite easy, then they dramatically increased the pace which was very tough. Yesterday I spoke with an ex-Army soldier who told me that it is also known as a BFT (I think it means Basic Fitness Test) which involves running in a team for 1.5 miles at a slow pace then sprinting the rest as individuals. I also read this somewhere on this site previously.
Anyway, the first time I attempted a 1.5 mile run (hilly concrete terrain) I managed it in just over 8 mins with no running training, and I am certainly no Olympic Runner.
Can Red or BigRichie (or anyone else who has completed it) better describe the 3-miler?
I got my information on the PRMC 3-Miler from various sources. On the Blue Peter and RM PRMC video's they show you them running the 3-miler in a group at a jog pace. I recall BigRichie mentioning that the first half was quite easy, then they dramatically increased the pace which was very tough. Yesterday I spoke with an ex-Army soldier who told me that it is also known as a BFT (I think it means Basic Fitness Test) which involves running in a team for 1.5 miles at a slow pace then sprinting the rest as individuals. I also read this somewhere on this site previously.
Anyway, the first time I attempted a 1.5 mile run (hilly concrete terrain) I managed it in just over 8 mins with no running training, and I am certainly no Olympic Runner.
Can Red or BigRichie (or anyone else who has completed it) better describe the 3-miler?
-
Rogue Chef
- Guest
Ahoy there!
Apart from the technical stuff about the weapons, everything else is approximately 2 or 3 clicks away. As Rob says do some research and go to http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/141.html or http://www.royalmarinesofficialsite.co.uk or http://www.civvie-street.co.uk
It's all there.
Apart from the technical stuff about the weapons, everything else is approximately 2 or 3 clicks away. As Rob says do some research and go to http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/141.html or http://www.royalmarinesofficialsite.co.uk or http://www.civvie-street.co.uk
It's all there.
Last edited by Rogue Chef on Thu 20 Feb, 2003 9:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Rogue Chef
- Guest
when i was down there the 3 miler was done like this:
a bit of sprint work to begin with but nothing special, and a bit of stretching (although i strongly advise you stretch thoroughly in your room before hand, and all the time generally). we then started the pace at a relatively easy pace, got the blood moving and muscles warm. then after about a mile the PTI kicked it up a gear, but not too bad. then for the last mile we gave it some. having completed it, those of us left congratulated eachother, and for doing that we got a really good beasting, involving sprint work and pressup work, and that was difficult.
a little note about gym test 2. give it 200% all the time, they wanna see who REALLY wants it at this stage, and you gotta show them that your prepared to ANYTHING to succeed. so just go for it the whole time, its worth it.
goodluck to anyone going for it.
a bit of sprint work to begin with but nothing special, and a bit of stretching (although i strongly advise you stretch thoroughly in your room before hand, and all the time generally). we then started the pace at a relatively easy pace, got the blood moving and muscles warm. then after about a mile the PTI kicked it up a gear, but not too bad. then for the last mile we gave it some. having completed it, those of us left congratulated eachother, and for doing that we got a really good beasting, involving sprint work and pressup work, and that was difficult.
a little note about gym test 2. give it 200% all the time, they wanna see who REALLY wants it at this stage, and you gotta show them that your prepared to ANYTHING to succeed. so just go for it the whole time, its worth it.
goodluck to anyone going for it.
Effort is only effort when it begins to hurt
The only way out of pain, is through it
You choose to feel pain, I choose not to
Nobody ever drowned in sweat
Only the weak quit
The only way out of pain, is through it
You choose to feel pain, I choose not to
Nobody ever drowned in sweat
Only the weak quit
