| The Marines | All Royal Marines, except those in the Royal Marines Band Service, are first and foremost, commando soldiers. They are required to undergo what is recognised as one of the longest and most demanding infantry training regimes in the world. This is undertaken at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone, Devon. A large proportion of the training is carried out on Dartmoor; rugged, inhospitable terrain epitomised in Conan Doyle's book 'Hound of the Baskervilles'. The culmination of the training is the Commando Course, a series of tests of fitness, endurance and military professionalism, which have remained virtually unchanged since the Second World War. Once a Royal Marine has passed his Commando Course he is entitled to wear the Green Beret and the 'Royal Marines Commando' flash on his uniform. |
 | | Marines at Soham Village College |
The crack team of two Commandos were not there for social graces. There was very little of the 'how do ya do' formalities, but as time was short and the business demanding, then I guess straight to action was the only call. Within seconds, they called for a volunteer and up shot a sea of eager hands. One guy leapt to the floor and was quickly brought to his knees by a gentle demo of some of the hand-to-hand combat techniques used by the Marines. A flick of the wrist and twist of the tendon is all that's needed to bring an opponent down, they suggested. Mmm…easier said than done.
 | | The students get to grips... |
The students got busy to their feet and got the chance to try out the all new moves. It was like watching a Kung Foo film with a little disco-dancing thrown in for good measure. In pairs, they faced each other, grinning widely with itchy fingers twitching to try out the new grips and grabs that had been so deftly demo'd. With gung-ho spirit and lots of grappling arms, they got to try out the moves and were massively surprised and delighted each time the seemingly innocuous manoeuvres worked. With mates floored and moves mastered they then gave full attention back to the guys in green. Punctuated in between the self-defence strategies, every so often the Marines would yell 'run' - and this command was well heeded (who would argue?). Also, interspersed between the demos and the demonic sprints was sound advice that spoke of discipline and training quelling any would-be Rambos from appearing later in the school yard. Health, fitness and a minute insight into the world of the Marines was the order of the day…but fast fun was a generous by-product enjoyed by all.
|
