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Royal Marines
Verified candidate resource · reviewed 21 July 2026
Royal Marines
Knowledge Centre
Know the Corps, the route to Lympstone and the history behind the green beret. Then test yourself against a 200-question bank.
Independent preparation resource. Official Royal Navy instructions always take priority.
Founded28 October 1664
Training centreCTCRM Lympstone
Initial training32 weeks
MottoPer Mare, Per Terram
Modern formationUK Commando Force
Joining now
The route to training.
The current Royal Navy route for a Royal Marines Commando candidate. Requirements and assessments can change, so recheck the official page at every stage.
- 01
Register and apply
Register your interest, confirm the basic eligibility criteria and complete the online application.
- 02
Defence Aptitude Assessment
The DAA covers verbal, numerical, work-rate, spatial, electrical and mechanical reasoning.
- 03
Selection interview
A formal suitability interview, normally held by video. The initial security application is also covered.
- 04
Pre-Joining Fitness Assessment
The PJFA checks physical preparedness and helps direct preparation for the Royal Marines Candidate Preparation Course.
- 05
RM Candidate Preparation Course
A pass-or-fail induction assessing fitness, swimming, medical eligibility, confidence and determination.
- 06
Recruit Orientation Phase
The current joining page describes a two-week ROP at CTCRM, culminating in Exercise First Step and the Royal Marines Fitness Assessment.
- 07
Initial training
After every recruiting requirement and the security check are complete, successful candidates receive a start date for CTCRM.
- Age at entry
- 16 to 32 when training starts. Applications can currently begin at 15 years and 9 months.
- Education
- No formal qualifications are currently required for the Commando other-ranks role.
- Height and weight
- Minimum height 145 cm. Minimum weight 65 kg or minimum BMI 23.
- BMI and swimming
- Maximum BMI 28, with a possible waist exception under 94 cm. Candidates must pass the CPC swimming assessment.
Commando Training Centre
Where is Lympstone?
CTCRM is at Lympstone, near Exmouth in Devon, on the Exe estuary south-east of Exeter. It is the principal training centre for Royal Marines recruits, officers, reserves, NCO command training and many specialist courses.
- Full name
- Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
- Address
- Exmouth Road, Lympstone, Exmouth, Devon
- Postcode
- EX8 5AR
- Known for
- Bottom Field, Endurance Course, Tarzan Course and access to Dartmoor training areas
Current recruit course
32 weeks. Four phases.
- Weeks 1–10Individual Skills
- Weeks 11–15Team and Section Skills
- Weeks 16–23Troop and Urban Skills
- Weeks 24–32Commando Phase
The final phase includes tactical training, amphibious foundations, the final exercise, Commando tests and King's Squad pass-out.
Read the official course breakdownStructure and locations
Know the units.
These are the principal Royal Marines formations and training locations a candidate should recognise. Roles evolve with operational requirements.
| Unit | Home location | Primary public role |
|---|---|---|
| 40 Commando | Norton Manor Camp, near Taunton, Somerset | Rapid reaction, amphibious, expeditionary, mountain and Arctic operations |
| 42 Commando | Bickleigh Barracks, near Plymouth, Devon | Very-high-readiness maritime security, interdiction, special operations and personnel recovery |
| 43 Commando FPG | HM Naval Base Clyde, west coast of Scotland | Protection of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent |
| 45 Commando | RM Condor, Arbroath, Angus | Amphibious, Arctic, mountain and expeditionary operations |
| 30 Commando IX Group | Royal Marines Barracks Stonehouse, Plymouth | Information exploitation, intelligence, reconnaissance, communications and electronic warfare |
| 47 Commando (Raiding Group) | RM Tamar, HMNB Devonport, Plymouth | Raiding craft, landing craft and littoral manoeuvre |
| Commando Logistic Regiment | RMB Chivenor, North Devon | Medical, transport, supply, equipment support and protected mobility |
| CTCRM | Lympstone, near Exmouth, Devon | Recruit, officer, reserve, command and specialist training |
The UK Commando Force also includes Commando-qualified Army and Royal Navy personnel. For example, 24 Commando Royal Engineers and 29 Commando Royal Artillery are Army formations, not Royal Marines units.
Identity and tradition
The Globe and Laurel.
The Corps badge is a compressed history lesson. Each element reflects service, status or a specific distinction.
Great Globe
Chosen by King George IV in 1827 to represent service and success in every quarter of the world.
Laurel wreath
Traditionally associated with the Corps' gallantry at the capture of Belle Île in 1761.
Gibraltar
The single named battle honour displayed, representing the many honours earned by the Corps. Gibraltar was captured in 1704.
Fouled anchor
Signals the Corps' place in the Naval Service and its enduring connection to operations from the sea.
Per Mare, Per Terram
The Corps motto means “By Sea, By Land.”
Commando spirit
What the green beret is meant to represent.
- Courage
- Determination
- Unselfishness
- Cheerfulness in the face of adversity
Recognition
Ranks and uniform.
Royal Marines use Army-style rank titles. The list below is a practical candidate guide, not a substitute for service dress regulations.
Other ranks
- OR-2Marine
- OR-3Lance Corporal
- OR-4Corporal
- OR-6Sergeant
- OR-7Colour Sergeant
- OR-8Warrant Officer Class 2
- OR-9Warrant Officer Class 1
Commissioned officers
- Second Lieutenant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier and general officer ranks
Green beret
Earned through Commando training. It is pulled to the right with the badge over the left eye.
Lovat dress
Distinctive green service dress associated with the Royal Marines.
Parade dress
Dark blue ceremonial dress, worn with the white Wolseley-pattern helmet or red-and-white peaked cap as ordered.
Working dress
Modern combat clothing and protective equipment appropriate to role, environment and task.
From 1664 to today
Operations and battle history.
This is a candidate-level chronology of major landmarks, not a complete operational record.
The Corps begins
The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot is formed on 28 October.
Gibraltar
English and Dutch marines help capture Gibraltar. It becomes the Corps' single displayed battle honour.
The Royal title
King George III grants the title Royal Marines in recognition of meritorious service.
The Great Globe
King George IV selects the globe to represent the Corps' worldwide service.
Crimean War
Royal Marines serve in major actions including Inkerman and the siege of Sevastopol.
Peking
Royal Marines fight during the Boxer Rebellion and the defence of the legations.
First World War
Service includes Gallipoli, the Western Front, Jutland and the Zeebrugge Raid.
The Commando era
Royal Marines Commando units fight from Dieppe and Normandy to Burma and Lake Comacchio.
Korean War
41 Independent Commando conducts raids and fights as far north as the Chosin Reservoir.
Suez
45 Commando carries out the first operational helicopter assault during the Suez campaign.
Limbang
42 Commando conducts the Limbang Raid during the Brunei revolt.
Falklands
Royal Marines and the wider brigade fight through the campaign, including San Carlos, Mount Harriet and Two Sisters.
Northern Iraq
Commando forces support the protection of Kurdish refugees during Operation Haven.
Afghanistan
Royal Marines serve repeatedly in Afghanistan, including major Operation Herrick deployments.
Iraq
40 Commando mounts an amphibious helicopter assault on the Al-Faw peninsula during Operation Telic.
Caribbean relief
40 Commando leads disaster-relief work after Hurricane Irma during Operation Ruman.
UK Commando Force
The formation formerly known as 3 Commando Brigade is officially named the UK Commando Force.
For valour
Ten Royal Marines Victoria Cross recipients.
The ten VCs associated with the Royal Marines Museum collection span the Crimean War to the final weeks of the Second World War.
| Recipient | Royal Marines branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| John Prettyjohns | RMLI | Battle of Inkerman, 5 November 1854 |
| Thomas Wilkinson | RMA | Siege of Sevastopol, 7 June 1855 |
| George Dare Dowell | RMA | Baltic, 13 July 1855 |
| Lewis Stratford Halliday | RMLI | Siege of Peking, 24 June 1900 |
| Walter Richard Parker | RMLI | Gallipoli, 30 April 1915 |
| Francis John William Harvey | RMLI | Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916 |
| Frederick William Lumsden | RMA | France, 3 April 1917 |
| Edward Bamford | RMLI | Zeebrugge Raid, 23 April 1918 |
| Norman Augustus Finch | RMA | Zeebrugge Raid, 23 April 1918 |
| Thomas Peck Hunter | 43 Royal Marine Commando | Lake Comacchio, 3 April 1945 |
RMLI: Royal Marine Light Infantry. RMA: Royal Marine Artillery. The separate branches were amalgamated in 1923.
Publicly confirmed in 2026
The current force.
Operational detail is deliberately limited. These are dated, publicly announced commitments and readiness activities, not a live tracker of personnel.
High North and Cold Response 26
Around 1,500 UK Commandos deployed to Northern Norway. Activity included 40 and 45 Commando, Camp Viking, Operation Clockwork and NATO's Cold Response exercise.
Official reportNATO Allied Reaction Force
42 Commando completed validation for a Special Operations Maritime Task Group within NATO's Allied Reaction Force.
Official reportUK Commando Force
The name UK Commando Force formally replaced 3 Commando Brigade as four frontline units received new Colours from The King.
Official announcementExercise Lion Protector
The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force announced activity to rehearse protection of critical national infrastructure in the High North.
Official announcementCurrent information last checked against Royal Navy sources on 21 July 2026.
200-question bank
Royal Marines knowledge test.
Every test draws ten questions across history, joining, training, units, traditions, ranks, honours and the current force. Questions and answer order are randomised.
Questions per test10
Question bank200
Best score—
Question 1 of 10
Score 0
Test complete
Fact standard
How this page is maintained.
Current recruiting and operational facts are taken from Royal Navy or GOV.UK sources. Historical material is supported by the Royal Navy, National Museum of the Royal Navy and recognised medal records.
- Current claims carry a review date.
- Official candidate instructions override this guide.
- Public operational reporting is used; sensitive or speculative deployment claims are excluded.
- Source links sit beside the section they support and beside every quiz answer.
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