'Legend': One of longest serving Royal Marines retires after 43-year career
They say once a marine, always a marine – but in Lieutenant Colonel Gary Green's case, the saying couldn't be truer.
Described as a "legend" by the Honorary Colonel to the Royal Marines, Bear Grylls, one of the last marines to see action in the Falklands has retired from the corps after 43 years of loyal service.
In a career spanning six decades, Lt Col Gary Green, who has seen action in the South Atlantic, Balkans and Afghanistan has retired from active service.
Lt Col Green said: "It's a long time and it's quite sad, but everyone has to leave in the end."
Having been witness to big changes in society, technology and warfare, the 59-year-old is confident the future of the corps is in safe hands with the quality of recruits passing through the gates of the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone (CTCRM).
He said: "When I was corps colonel, I found that the quality of people joining now was better than when I joined.
"Today's recruits are fitter, more determined, slightly older and significantly better educated."
One thing that struck Lt Col Green is how today's Royal Marines have a strong ethos of looking after their comrades first and themselves last.
He said: "That's a fantastic quality, that's the commando spirit we're looking for.
"So, I certainly don't recognise tags like 'snowflake generation'. I see people who are determined to serve their country."
Lt Col Green is also pleased that recruits receive considerably better kit than he was issued in 1979.
He said: "When I began training, I was issued equipment going back to the 1950s.
"Nothing was weatherproof, everything was heavy and we were even given puttees [coverings for boots/lower legs generally associated with the First World War trenches].
"Today you're given Gore-Tex water and weatherproof kit, tiny radios, the latest weapons and tech – the battlefield has changed out of all recognition with the likes of drones, artificial intelligence.
"It's a different way of fighting," he added.
Lt Col Green's interest in the commandos was sparked as a teenager while working on a milk round.
He was looking to escape a broken home, saw an advert for the Royal Marines in a national newspaper and wrote off for details.
Eight months later, in 1979, he travelled to the CTCRM at Lympstone in Devon and after 32 weeks of intense training, proudly left wearing the green beret as a qualified Royal Marines Commando, aged just 17.
Two years later he was one of 27,000 men and women sent south to liberate the Falkland Islands.
After initially landing at San Carlos with Kilo Company, 42 Commando, the young marine was sent forward by helicopter with a small group of about 40 bootnecks to support SAS troops engaged with Argentine troops on Mount Kent.
With minimal food and ammunition, the marines were faced with snow on the ground and temperatures frequently below zero.
He said: "That's when the commando mindset kicks in, all the training pays off and you overcome adversity, surviving to fight in the harshest of conditions."
His unit was subsequently sent to draw out and test Argentine defences on another peak west of the Falklands capital Stanley, Mount Harriet.
Reality hit fast – 20 Royal Marines now faced several hundred enemy soldiers.
He said: "It was a bit hairy," he says with typical British understatement. "The mountain erupted with fire – tracers racing through the night, parachute flares lighting up the battlefield.
"Nothing today compares with the Falklands – it was the last conventional conflict."
While many might feel a strong debt of gratitude to Lt Col Green and his comrades for their brave service, the veteran believes he owes a lot to the corps and military for the opportunities and experiences it has provided.
He said: "I joined at 16 with no education.
"I leave having passed my GCSEs, went on to complete a Master's degree, and received the OBE from the Duke of Cambridge."
Lt Col Green was awarded an OBE for his fundraising drive – the 1664 Challenge – which is the umbrella for some remarkable physical challenges commandos have undertaken to support the Royal Marines Charity.
It includes a 1,664-mile run that ended at Buckingham Palace in front of the Duke of Edinburgh – his final official public engagement in 2017 – to this year's Commando 80 challenge.
Watch: 2017 report of the Duke of Edinburgh's final official public engagement.
In all, the various events and activities have raised about £800,000 to help fellow Royal Marines past and present.
He said: "For every Royal Marine – serving or retired – wearing the green beret is an honour and privilege.
"You are following in the footsteps of those who have gone before and have worn that beret with distinction for generations."
So, after 43 years as a Royal Marine, what's Gary's first civvy job no longer as a serving green beret?
As we said at the beginning, once a marine, always a marine – he's not gone far.
He is now Corps Secretary – a civil service job that involves working with the Commandant General Royal Marines and units on regimental and heraldic issues, such as possible changes to badges, crests and insignia with the accession of King Charles and a new Royal cypher.
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