Complete PRMC Diary - nov 2006

[darrenrugby18]

Right lads i've got some free time on my hands so gonna have a crack at writing a diary, forgive if i waffle on but i'd like to give an in depth decription of my experiences so people goin on a PRMC will have a good idea what to expect.

7th November

About 6 of us arrived at around 13.40 and after the guard room made a call our DL came to meet us. We we're the first ones there so our DL informed us that we were gonna do some admin for him which basically was placing the bed sheets, combats ect ect going to be used on the course on peoples beds.
Everyone had arrived by 1700 and then we went off to scran, i must admit it was abit daunting walking in to 150+ recruits staring at you but nothing bad was heard and in the end we had our scran and then made our way back to our grots.
When we got back we we're issued with our boots and told to make them presentable for tommorows drill, also to ensure that our combat jackets and trousers buttons/zips were operational and that nothing was missing. We then went for a small power point presentation about fire procedures, rules ect ect then made our way back to the accommodation. We then had to sit an english test which was nothin to major but a pain in the arse none the less.
About half 9 someone had annoyed the DL and as i was walking out of the toilet i heard ''Everyone PT gear 1 minute!'' which was followed by a mad dash with everyone changing into there PT gear follwed by everyone going into a small courtyard area opposite the prmc accommodation. He then explaned that someone had not addressed him correctly whilst waiting outside his room and that was followed by some press ups, he then preceeded to explain that all PT was followed by a shower ''Civilian clothes 2 minutes!'' so everyone dashed for the showers and attempted to get wet and then ran back and got changed into civilian clothes. After this everyone got their heads down and attempted to sleep, i didnt get much sleep as my nerves were all over the place but i dosed off eventually but kept on waking up in the night.

8th November

Reveille was around 5.30 and everyone got up and crammed into the showers follwed by a quick shave. After scran we all got changed into our combats, boots ect ect and then we went for a drill session at 7.00, nothin major just the basics with a few sprints thrown in (the kings squad were practicing drill which was inspiring, they also gave us a few words of encouragement and wished us all the best). Around 8.00 we went for our opening adress with the Sgt Major who basically explained what was expected of us, and what we'd be going through over the next couple of days. 9.00.....3mile run time....the first of the tests which is a simple pass or fail, after everyone had changed we were marched off out of the base to a playing field opposite after a sprint here a there, the warm up consisted of some sprints on the spot, tuck jumps, press ups and sit ups. The run itself i would say was NOT run in 22.30 but more around the 20 min mark, but not having a watch on i can't say just going from the fact that i found it quite hard but that could just be me, there were a few sprints here and there and we lost a total of 3 on the run i believe (dave correct me if im wrong). After a shower we had our weapons aqquaint i believe follwed by a short presentation about barclays bank.
We had scran at around 12 and then had a bit of a lye around untill gym test 1, we we're then marched off to the gym at 2 and then explained the rules of the gym ''NO SCRATCHING, FIDGITING OR FARTING IN THE GYM'' they are very strict and alot of people got caught out so don't do it! 1 person was sick on the bleep test and nobody got less then 10 from what i can remember, press ups, sit ups and chin ups were followed straight after with very little rest.
We had our swim assesment in the shorts we were wearing from gym test to save going back to the accomodation, and this was straight after the equipment had been put away.
After a shower and changin back into civvie clothes (this is all done in around 5-10minutes) we had a pay and conditions lecture follwed by scran at around 1700.
After scran we met a diamond who was a told fella and gave us some information to put our mind at ease and gave us a better insight into recruit life.
We were told earlier in the day that we would have to do a math test if we hadnt brough our certificates in (practically nobody was told to do so, so it meant there were alot of tests, the same as the math test) we went for a realities of training lecture and then our test. The test was done in opposite alphabetical order this time so i was actually first and i got back nice and early and had some time to polish my boots and listen to some music, that night everyone got to bed around 9 but i didnt sleep very well and kept waking up

9th November

Reveille was at 6.40 as our corpal had over slept, im not sure of his name but he was alot more laid back then the other corprals and the night before about 10 o'clock he told me he'd ''be back in about 10minutes' although at lights out time he still wasnt back...sneaky suspicion he was on the razz!
We all got up and had the usual crammed shower and shave, and made our way off to scran and had to be back in full combats by 8.00 for the high obstacle course/bottom field tests. After everyone was formed up we were marched off down to the tarzan course for the commando slide (death slide) time, the morning was very cold and there was a troop doing a kit muster about 20 metres away who didnt look very happy! A PTI made his way up to the top of the tower and gave a demonstration of the correct 'bend' and 'stretch' technique to use so you're not caught on the safety net just below the top of the tower. Nobody really had a problem with the slide and everyone did it, a few people had trouble unhooking the harness and getting your hands out of the rope (me included) whilst standing on a wobbly ladder held by a corpral.
After the slide we were jogged on to the bottom field, and given a few sprints and stretches to get the blood flowing for the high obstacle course.
Everyone had to practice on the low ropes which were about 5ft off the ground to master the technique before moving on to the higher ropes, i personally found this very difficult as i'd pulled my calf the day before and couldn't straighten my balancing leg which meant i kept falling off. At first the corpral was getting frustrated with me but then he must of seen that i wasnt not trying but more the fact that i actually couldnt get my leg straightend without causing alot of pain, i eventually made my way across very slowly and then we were given a demonstration on the high obstacle course.
At this point i felt like breaking down in to tears, i knew i was having problems with the ropes, and if i couldnt do it 5ft up very well, how was i going manage at 25ft? i was one of the last to go after a brief word with the corpal who was spotting me on the ropes, and he said he'd be watchin me incase i fall. I very quietly asked him whilst almost in tears if i couldnt manage it would i fail, he didnt give me and answer and told me to go do it, this in a way gave me some confidence and in the end i managed to pull it out of the bag without falling off.
Straight after the HOB we moved on to bottom field and were given a demonstration on each obstacle by the PTI then had to carry it out ourselves, we were given strict instruction about jumping off at certain points and these had to be adherred to. After running through it probably 3 times already we did the timed run, my time was 3.47 which is quite poor and the fastest was 2.58 i beleive which is an excellent time.
A quick sip of water later and a brief time to catch our breathes came the determination test.....this with a doubt was the hardest physical exercise i have ever done i literally felt like passing out a couple of time but you have to get your head down and crack on, yes its hard and its going to hurt, but it will end and if you want your green beret you've gotta earn it. The test was basically sprinting to a certain point said by the PTI and back to him that followed by press ups, sit ups and tuck jumps (these were actually welcome for me as they were a chance to catch my breath back) 3 people i think withdrew volenterally but no one died or became pregnant.
After a quick shower and changing into smart civvie clothes we had our section interviews, this went all the way upto lunch and out section corpral was so pleaed with out knowledge he just sat us down and told us how we were doing, and what our chances of passing were, i was told i was in a high risk zone to pass (which is good).
After scran and a lay around for an hour came the last of the tests....gym test 2, not forgetting that everyone was knackerd by this point and were most likely in pain from something. The test consisted of 5 team stances which were very physical carrying weights over obstacles, rolly pollys ect ect and they were looking for effort and team work, not the fittest peron. After we had finished that came sprints, or should i say runs as everyone was incaple of sprinting full pelt as this point, it was basically sprinting to a middle line and back, or to the otherside of the gym, i would say about 15-20 sprints in total just keep telling yourself it will end.
Ater the test we had another lecture i believe, but we had so many on the course i cant remember what this one was to be honest.
After scran we got our dirty kit together and nicely folded and cleaned and placed out boots i the hallway, which was then followed by a fitness breif about what to eat and how to train, also to air any questions abou fitness in general. Straight after was some CQC, this was a very informal session with no PT as such just having a few fights and wrestles with some moves he showed us, we had to do a 1v1 in the middle of the mats and you had to make the otherman submit which was interesting as a short jock dumped a 6ft fella.
Everyone was drained at the end of the day so bed was welcomed at around 10 o'clock.

10th november - final day

Reveille was at 6 and everyone did the usual shower and shave and made there way to scran. We then made the accomodation spotless and then returned out kit by around 8. Everyone was marched off to do a short questionnaire and to air any improvement we think could of been made and any problems (done with a colour) This was shortly followed by the certificate presentation which was done by getting everyone into 3 ranks at the front of the presentaion room and then we were given our certificates, 4 people who had already been spoken to new the hadnt passed and sat and watched, it was a big relief for everyone knowing that they had passed and i think it was 28 in total who received the certificate.
After making our way back to the accomodation we handed the rest of our kit back and then made our way to the stores and got our boots issued (GET IN!). In the end i think we made the 11.01 train and said our good byes and wished everyone the best of luck and to hopefully see them at CTC very soon.


Hope this helps some people and gives them a better idea of what to expect. Remeber NEVER GIVE IN AND GIVE 110%

If there are any questions people would like answered about the course please feel free to ask me.

[KiloAlpha]

Nice post darrenrugby18 this should put some peoples mind at ease.

We never got a powerpoint lecture nor got issued with kits on our bunks we were left to forage for ourselves.

[Spetz]

Congratulations darren, your diary account is inspiring. How well prepared do you think you were for it? 10/10 being the training you did served you perfectly well and you comfortably gave all you had to pass the PRMC.

[mfat_man]

Nice post Dazza, we should make this a sticky

Good to see a Pompey lad doing well, was at the game yesterday how we didn't score 3 goals I don't know!!

[darrenrugby18]

Congratulations darren, your diary account is inspiring. How well prepared do you think you were for it? 10/10 being the training you did served you perfectly well and you comfortably gave all you had to pass the PRMC.

Cheers Spetz, i've gained alot of knowlege from mfat seems only right to put some work back into it, and as far as i know other in depth diaries are out of date now.

First off I'd like to say that i was by no means the fittest there and if i could go back i would of done alot more CV work, pushing myself when im already fatigued as your always breathin out your arse for the tests. So CV wise i would say 7/10 but i managed on what i'd done. Stamina work and endurance is what you want, so you can keep on going and going, but at the end of the day it's all in your head and you just gotta crack on with it.
Push ups and sit ups wise i was actually more worried about my press ups than anythin else, but somehow i manged 65 without a single one being taken away which i was very shocked with, but i thought i would of got more sit ups but its still not a bad score, so 6/10 before i went, but after doing it, it turns out my upper body was absoloutley fine.

Mfat man : there were 2 other pompey lads on the course (one from gosport so not 100% pompey..... ) both were top lads and one was half french which was interesting and a micky take

[lodge939]

what did you do for the rolly pollys on gym test 2? just forwards rolls for a few minutes?

[KJ-Edwards]

Great read darrenrugby18... Congrats for passing mate.

KJ

[bennyn]

congrats on passing mate and ta very much for the post. i feel a bit more prepared now

[lodgi]

Just wondering what was you're 3 miler time before you went down darren? I've been training for about 3 months now, and my press ups (49 pb) sit ups (89 pb) and pull ups (6 pb) are coming along nicely now, but I'm still stuggling with my running. My best time is 23:18 for 3 miles and my best bleep test score was 10.1.

Did they do the speeding up bit in the middle of the 3 miler?

[Bennie]

I have the same question as lodgi if you would be as kind to answer.

Also why did you have to do an english and maths test? if you failed one would that mean you failed PRMC. to put it simply i am SH*T at maths.

One more thing what was the 3 mile run like, e.g hilly, flat etc.

Thanks in advance

[AJtothemax]

Well done mate. A few questions though.

How often did you get to drink water in your training?

When you wrestled with the other guys, was it proper full-contact stuff? And do they always do this on a PRMC?

How supportive are the PTI's on the training?

Did anyone swear from frustration, determination to carry on or just pain during the training? If so, did they get away with it/was it tolerated?

Once again, well done mate and i wish you all the best for RT.

[rgj-rifleman]

well done mate, any ideas on when you want to start RT

[TheWedge]

On behalf of Dazza!

How often did you get to drink water in your training?

When the Corporal says you can!. Usually before, during and after a session. 3 times then.

When you wrestled with the other guys, was it proper full-contact stuff? And do they always do this on a PRMC?

It was full contact, but the idea was to get the other to submit. you are not there to injure them so no eye gouging or silly stuff like that, just grappling, after 30 secs, it was over. It was there to prove a point and to have a bit of fun. To start, they got the tallest guy (Nick 6'4") against the smallest (some jock 5'3"), the battle was 50/50 all the way, it's not all about size. You may get some grappling if you are lucky, it is good stuff.

How supportive are the PTI's on the training?

They won't hold your hand and ask you to skip with them back to grots, but as long as they are not shouting your name all the time then you are doing well.

Did anyone swear from frustration, determination to carry on or just pain during the training? If so, did they get away with it/was it tolerated?

Swearing will get you told off, but huffing and puffing and groaning won't. Darren thought I was giving birth during the exercises in gym test one (sorry about the sweat and gob I left on your arm mate!)

As I told some mates, your heart and your mind will get you through PRMC, not just brawn. If you want it bad enough then fight on and don't give up, whatever they ask you to do. If you want to pass hard enough then you won't care what state your body is in during the exercises. Don't fear the PRMC, you will pass if you have prepared, and if you really really really want to pass!

Best of luck

[AJtothemax]

On behalf of Dazza!

How often did you get to drink water in your training?

When the Corporal says you can!. Usually before, during and after a session. 3 times then.

When you wrestled with the other guys, was it proper full-contact stuff? And do they always do this on a PRMC?

It was full contact, but the idea was to get the other to submit. you are not there to injure them so no eye gouging or silly stuff like that, just grappling, after 30 secs, it was over. It was there to prove a point and to have a bit of fun. To start, they got the tallest guy (Nick 6'4") against the smallest (some jock 5'3"), the battle was 50/50 all the way, it's not all about size. You may get some grappling if you are lucky, it is good stuff.

How supportive are the PTI's on the training?

They won't hold your hand and ask you to skip with them back to grots, but as long as they are not shouting your name all the time then you are doing well.

Did anyone swear from frustration, determination to carry on or just pain during the training? If so, did they get away with it/was it tolerated?

Swearing will get you told off, but huffing and puffing and groaning won't. Darren thought I was giving birth during the exercises in gym test one (sorry about the sweat and gob I left on your arm mate!)

As I told some mates, your heart and your mind will get you through PRMC, not just brawn. If you want it bad enough then fight on and don't give up, whatever they ask you to do. If you want to pass hard enough then you won't care what state your body is in during the exercises. Don't fear the PRMC, you will pass if you have prepared, and if you really really really want to pass!

Best of luck

Nice one mate

The grappling sounds wicked, i did some jujitsu for a short while one time, grapplings great stuff. The eye gouging hahaha, no i wasn't expecting anything like that!

I only asked about swearing because occassionally i let out the odd "F***!" or some other word from the dictionary of 'colourful language!' So from now on i'll try and retrain myself., but other than that, i too groan etc etc.

Thanks for the heads up about the water, im hydrating well before i train but just wondering how to drink when im training because i thought you couldn't do it often in the training. Other than that i know full well to keep hydrated during training - whatever the weather.

As for the PTI's, i was actually wondering how much they get in your face in you're starting to fall behind or struggle - but thanks anyway.

And yes, i too, really, really, really, really want it - BADLY!

Good luck to you lads in RT, you sound like a top bunch of guys. Wish you all the best fellas.