Royal Marines Commando Course standards still as high as ever, insists Carns
Veterans Minister Al Carns, a former colonel in the Royal Marines, has addressed social media comments alleging a drop in standards on Royal Marines Commando training courses to accommodate female recruits.
"I have completed the Commando Course not once, but twice; first as a Marine and then again as a Young Officer," he said on X.
"I therefore want to be very clear that the standards expected to pass the Royal Marines Commando Course have not and will not change."
Mr Carns' statement follows claims on social media made by a serving Royal Marine that the overall standards of the commando course were being dropped to meet the needs of female recruits.
The marine, not being named by BFBS Forces News, also published a "survey" of fellow marines supporting his view, which has since been taken down following an internal investigation.
It is unusual for serving personnel to raise a concern on a public platform, and the marine in question did not offer any specific evidence or detail to elaborate further on his concerns.
It has been six years since the Royal Marines first offered women the opportunity to join the commando training course, after the Government announced all military roles would become open to women.
To date, there is no confirmation that any female recruit has passed the 32-week course, which is considered to be one of the toughest military basic training courses anywhere in the world.
Recruits must pass a total of five tests to earn the coveted green beret that Commandos wear.
These include what is known as the Bottom Field Passout test in week 20, an assault course at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone in Devon, involving climbs, a fireman's carry and an assault course.
Later, in week 30, recruits have a further four Commando tests – the endurance course, a nine-mile speed march, the Tarzan assault course and finally a 30-mile speed march across Dartmoor in eight hours.
Only the recruits who have passed every stage are awarded a green beret.
As someone who earned his own green beret, Mr Carns said he closely monitors the standard of training.
"I know the dedication, drive and grit required to complete the arduous Commando tests. I speak from experience," he said on X.
"[It is] an issue close to every Royal Marine's heart and something I track very closely."
Mr Carns' sentiment was backed up by an MOD spokesperson who said: "Royal Marine Commando selection standards have not changed, and the same high standards apply to every recruit.
"This issue is subject to an ongoing investigation, so we are unable to comment further at this stage.
"We expect the highest standards of all our Service Personnel. We are committed to investigating any allegation of behaviour that could bring the Armed Forces into disrepute."
While no woman has yet passed the Royal Marines Commando Course, seven women have succeeded in passing the 13-week All Arms Commando Course, including Royal Navy officer Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher.
Women who have attempted the course say it is just a matter of time before a woman also passes the Royal Marines Commando Course.
There are no figures available on how many female recruits are currently attempting it, or how many may have come close to passing previously.
There is also no independent public evidence of any proposed changes to the course structure to accommodate female recruits.
However, in an unrelated move, the MOD did confirm a small trial is being planned to review the course duration, although it is understood no decision has been made.
The Royal Navy says around 1,300 recruits attempt the arduous commando course each year.
On average, just over half are likely to pass and earn the green beret.
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